The Wisdom of Allegiance

Welcome:

Well, good morning Lifepoint! Good to be with you again. If we haven’t met yet, my name is Dan and I serve here as the Teaching Pastor for our Worthington Campus.

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If this is your first time...

If you have bible open with me to James chapter 3.  We’re going to be in verses 13-18.  James 3:13-18. 

Series Set-Up

We’ve been in this series walking through the New Testament book of James.

The book of James is actually a letter written by one of the earliest pastors in the first century - and he’s writing to followers of Jesus who live in and around Jerusalem somewhere around 55 A.D.

And what we’ve seen is that James keeps pressing this point that real faith isn’t just belief—it’s allegiance. It’s loyalty expressed through how we live, how we speak, and how we treat people. It’s faith that takes shape in ordinary, daily obedience. And so the question we’ve been coming back to each week is: What does it really look like to live with full allegiance to Jesus in the everyday spaces of life?

Introduction: The Magic Eight Ball

In 1940, Albert Carter began to tinker with an idea for a toy that he had.  It was a small cylinder  you could hold in your hand, filled with dark liquid, a 20 sided die and glass top.  He called it the Syco Slate.  Let me show you a picture of what it looked like [SLIDE].

The idea was you could ask the Syco-Slate a question and shaking it, you would get an answer to your question that on the little die as it would float to the top.

Carter began a fairly extensive marketing campaign with this novelty taking it to a number of different companies, but after a few years it was clear--nobody wanted the Syco-Slate.  The toy had failed and no one bought it.  

But after his death in 1949, a growing Bowling and Billiards company, found his patent, bought the rights, and as fun way to advertise their pool halls, encased the Syco-Slate in a large 8 ball.  

Thus was born the Magic 8 Ball!  And while Albert Carter could hardly sell his toy, today over a million magic 8 balls are sold each year, and the product continues to outsell itself year after year!  

And you know, you can’t help but wonder ‘why is this thing so popular’? 

All of us, at some point have played around with one of these things!  

[SHAKE] Does he like me?

[SHAKE] Will she say yes?

[SHAKE] Should I try it?

And yeah, I know THIS is a toy.

But when we stop and think about it, the MAGIC 8 BALL represents a deep seeded, profound reality…[PAUSE]...that all of us turn to something when we’re trying to figure out what to do.  All of us have some kind of Wisdom we turn to--some kind of principle...to help us figure out what we’re going to do next.  

The question is, does it work?  

And this is where James goes next.

HOW and WHY do we do what we do? WHO are WHAT do we go to to decide?

And what we will see is that the kind of wisdom we follow reveals who—or what—we’re truly loyal to.

So if you have your Bible, open with me to James chapter 3, starting in verse 13.

PRAY

Principle: Our Wisdom shows up in our Action--But wisdom is MORE than our action. 

Alright, let’s get started. Look with me at the first half of v. 13:

James 3:13 ESV

Who is wise and understanding among you...?

James starts out with an important question--How do you know who’s wise around you?  What do you look for?  What are the marks of a wise person?  

What is Wisdom

But I think before we can even answer that, we’ve got to understand what James means by Wise, right?  

What is wisdom?  

We might define it this way: wisdom is knowledge applied.  In other words, it’s letting what we know be put to work in our lives!  

And wisdom really is a necessity for all of us, isn’t it?  

Because we come up against tough situations all the time!  When we have to choose between A, B, or C...and each decision has massive implications for us!  Right?  

You get a new job offer--but it would take you to a new city...what do you do? 

You meet a girl and wonder--is she ‘the one’? What do you do?

Your kids are getting older--running out of space--is it time to move?  And if so, where?!   

Life is incredibly complex and we are confronted with the question, “What now?” all the time!

So the question is, how do we decide?  How do we figure out what to do next? 

Wisdom. 

And so James question makes a lot sense.  How do you know if YOU have true wisdom?! 

Wisdom is Lifestyle

Here’s how James says you know.  Look at second half of v. 13:

James 3:13 ESV

By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.

Now it’s a little hard to follow exactly what he says here, but essentially he’s answering his question--How do you know if someone is wise among you?  James says, look at their Good Conduct.  

See, he’s giving us a principle about wisdom...

One of the things we need to understand is that MOST OF THE TIME in the Bible, wisdom is not talked about in terms of answers but lifestyle.  Look at that phrase, “Good Conduct” in v. 13. James is talking about a person’s lifestyle, saying that Wisdom will show itself in how we live--that Wisdom will show its works in our lifestyle, not just our decisions or answers.  

This is why the author of the book of Proverbs, which is a book in the Old Testament devoted to teaching about wisdom, says this:

Proverbs 1:7 ESV

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Not our answers! 

Not our decisions! 

Not our knowing what to do next! 

But our lifestyle of reverence before God that leads to wisdom.  

And this is a radical thought, isn’t it?

Because most of the time, we’re only interested in the answers, right?  We’re only interested in knowing what we’re supposed to do!  We just want to pick up the 8 Ball [SHAKE] and know what to do.

And this is one of the challenging things about how the Bible talks about wisdom—because all throughout Scripture, the focus isn’t on what wisdom does, but on what a wise person is like.

And isn’t this exactly what James has been saying all along? His whole point is that what we do flows out of who we are. The same is true when it comes to wisdom — the wise decision flows from the wise person. But here’s the tension James knows we’ll face: not everything that looks like wisdom is wisdom. Not every “good idea” comes from God. So before he shows us what true wisdom looks like, James gives us a warning — there are actually two very different kinds of wisdom at work in the world.

Two Kinds of Wisdom

Wisdom from Below

Look with me starting at verse 14:

James 3:14–15 ESV

But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.

James is warning us—there’s a kind of “wisdom” that masquerades as good sense but is actually toxic. He calls it wisdom from below, or “earthly wisdom.” And at its core, he says, it’s driven by selfish ambition.

That phrase—selfish ambition—was often used in James’ world to describe corrupt politicians, people who used public service as a means to self-promotion. It’s wisdom that looks good on the outside—strategic, pragmatic, “responsible”—but underneath, it’s just me looking out for myself.

And James says, that kind of wisdom always turns inward. It places me at the center of the story—my needs, my security, my success. It’s the wisdom of self-protection and self-promotion.

And the problem with that kind of wisdom is that it doesn’t stay compartmentalized. You can’t live one way at the office and then flip a switch at home. You can’t train your heart to pursue your own good above all and then expect that not to shape every decision you make.

So we bring that same posture into our marriages:

“I deserve to be happy.”

Into our friendships:

“This just isn’t good for me anymore.” “I need to protect my peace.” “I’m setting boundaries.”

And don’t get me wrong—boundaries can be wise and healthy—but James would say there’s a difference between guarding your heart and worshiping your comfort.

Into our careers:

“I’ve got to do what’s best for me—even if it costs someone else.”

See, wisdom from below doesn’t necessarily look evil. It often looks reasonable. We even baptize it in spiritual language.

“It just makes sense.” “It’s best for our family.” “It’s just being wise.”

But James says, be careful. Because “it just makes sense” can often be a way to dress up our selfish ambition.

And this is why he calls it earthly, unspiritual, demonic. That’s not exaggeration. It’s his way of saying, this wisdom isn’t neutral—it’s shaped by a rival kingdom. It’s the wisdom of self over God, of control over trust, of comfort over calling.

And look at what it produces in verse 16:

James 3:16 ESV

For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.

It promises stability—but it brings chaos. It promises peace—but it produces fracture. Because it puts me at the center, and when I am at the center, everything around me eventually breaks.

Wisdom from Above

Now look at verse 17

James 3:17 ESV

But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.

James contrasts this with something radically different. Wisdom from above isn’t about control or gain—it’s about character. It’s not about what we know but who we’re becoming.

And notice how every quality James lists points away from the self: Pure — untainted by hidden motives. Peaceable — seeking reconciliation over winning. Gentle — power under control. Open to reason — willing to listen, slow to speak. Full of mercy and good fruit — compassionate action. Impartial and sincere — not two-faced, not performative.

In other words, wisdom from above is fundamentally selfless. It’s not centered on what’s best for me, but on what most honors God and serves others.

And when that kind of wisdom begins to take root, it transforms everything. It shapes the way we talk to our spouse. It changes how we show up to work. It even reframes how we see disagreement—not as a threat, but as a moment to display gentleness, mercy, and humility.

This is what allegiance to Jesus looks like lived out—it’s a life that no longer revolves around self, but around the values and posture of the King.

Climax: Real Religion pursues wisdom from Above

So imagine this with me: what if we really pursued wisdom from above? What if our lives were so rooted in Jesus that this kind of wisdom—the wisdom that comes down from heaven—actually started to characterize us?

Imagine marriages where gentleness replaces sarcasm—where forgiveness flows more easily than criticism.

Imagine workplaces where people don’t just climb the ladder but stoop to serve—where integrity matters more than image, and encouragement spreads faster than gossip.

Imagine neighborhoods where people don’t retreat behind privacy fences but open their doors and tables—where the peace of Christ spills out onto front porches and sidewalks.

Imagine a community where the wisdom from above isn’t just believed—it’s embodied. Where our allegiance to Jesus reshapes how we love, listen, forgive, and lead in the everyday spaces of our lives.

That’s what James is after.

He’s not just telling us to make better decisions—he’s calling us to become a different kind of people. A people whose way of life shows what kind of wisdom we’re living by.

Cultural Lie: God is a Magic Eight Ball 

And so we ask ourselves: Is that me? Is that what I pursue?

PAUSE

If I’m honest, it’s not just that I want to make God a consultant for my plans — it’s that I often skip even the pursuit of His wisdom altogether. I want to get moving. I want to do something. Waiting, listening, discerning — those feel inefficient. So instead of asking, “What is the wisdom from above here?” I rush to, “What’s my next move?” And beneath that hurry is this quiet disbelief that God will really meet me if I stop long enough to ask.

See, my problem is: I don’t just want clarity — I want control.

PAUSE

If we’re honest, that’s not just my story, is it? It’s all of us. As much as we’d like what James says about wisdom from above to be true of us, it’s not.

Why?

Friends, it’s because most of the time we’re not all that concerned with what James says about the character of wisdom—we just want an answer.

PAUSE

We’ve got decisions to make, and we want clarity now. And again and again, we end up falling for this wisdom from below... treating God like the Magic 8 Ball, don’t we? We just want to ask Him a question and hear Him say, “All signs point to yes,” or “Don’t count on it.”

We want God to be like the Magic 8 Ball—and He’s not.

PAUSE

But here’s what’s underneath that: when we treat God like a Magic 8 Ball, what we really want isn’t wisdom—it’s control. We don’t want to follow the King; we want the King to advise our plans.

That’s the subtle lie of wisdom from below—it dresses itself up as faith but is really self-rule. It’s allegiance to self disguised as prayer.

And if we’re honest, that kind of false wisdom feels good for a while, doesn’t it? It feels empowering. We think, “If I can just make the right decision, I’ll finally have peace. I’ll finally feel secure.” But the irony is, the more we try to control life this way, the less peace we have. The more we chase wisdom from below, the more anxious, hurried, and fragmented we become.

James says this selfish wisdom is not just second-rate—it’s vile. Because it keeps us at the center of the story. And every time we make ourselves the center, we end up living as if our little kingdom matters more than His.

Friends, that’s what James means when he calls it “earthly, unspiritual, demonic.” It’s allegiance to self instead of allegiance to the King.

And because we’ve placed ourselves at the center of our decisions—because we’ve lived as though our wisdom is enough—none of us have really cultivated a life that honors God. Because of our selfishness, we’ve all failed to live the way He’s called us to live.

Our failure to trust His wisdom is not just a mistake—it’s sin.

Gospel Resolution: Jesus Is our Wisdom from Above

And yet, the good news of the gospel is that where we have lived with false wisdom—seeking control, chasing our own good, setting ourselves at the center—Jesus has lived with true wisdom.

While we’ve grasped for power and certainty, He laid His down. While we’ve tried to make life work on our own terms, He trusted His Father perfectly.

Where we have pursued self-rule, Jesus lived in complete allegiance to the Father. His whole life—the purity, gentleness, mercy, and sincerity James describes—was wisdom from above in human form.

And on the cross, that wisdom was put on display. Because there, Jesus took all the chaos and disorder our selfish wisdom creates and bore it Himself. The One who was perfectly peaceable entered our conflict. The One full of mercy absorbed our judgment. The One who was pure took on our impurity.

He gave Himself up to the foolishness of the cross so that God’s wisdom could be revealed. As Paul wrote, “Christ Jesus became to us wisdom from God—righteousness, sanctification, and redemption.”

In Jesus, we see what true wisdom looks like—and through Jesus, we receive the power to live it. When we place our faith—our full allegiance—in Him, His life begins to reshape ours. The Spirit of the Wise King comes to dwell in us, forming in us a new kind of reflex—a new way of thinking, speaking, deciding.

The gospel isn’t just information about forgiveness; it’s formation into the likeness of the One who is Wisdom Himself. Slowly, over time, the Spirit takes our self-centered instincts and retrains them into selfless ones. He loosens our grip on control and teaches us to trust. He moves us from wisdom from below to wisdom from above.

So as followers of Jesus, we don’t just receive His wisdom—we’re being remade by it. That’s why James says wisdom is not an answer key, but a lifestyle. Because when our allegiance is to the King, His wisdom becomes the pattern of our lives.

Application:

How do we receive Wisdom?

Alright, let’s get practical for a moment.  What do we do with all this? 

When we take what James says here — that wisdom is not an answer key but a lifestyle — one of the things that means for us is that we have to become the kind of people who live that lifestyle.

Wisdom doesn’t happen in a moment of decision. It’s not downloaded when you pray hard enough or study long enough. It’s formed — slowly, daily — as our hearts are reshaped by the Spirit of God.

The gospel doesn’t just forgive us for chasing the wrong kind of wisdom; it trains us to recognize the right kind. Through time in Scripture, through prayer, through the gentle conviction of the Spirit, and through obedience in the small, ordinary moments of life, God is forming us into people who instinctively live His way.

So maybe the question isn’t just “What should I do?” but “Who am I becoming?”

Every act of surrender, every time we choose mercy instead of judgment, humility instead of pride, peace instead of control — we’re being formed into wise people. The Spirit is making the wisdom of Jesus take root in us so that over time, what once felt impossible becomes natural.

And that’s the beauty of what James is saying: wisdom isn’t a secret code to crack — it’s the slow, transforming work of grace that makes us more like Jesus.

Ask for Wisdom

Last thing and I’ll close with this.

The reality is, we’re gonna keep bumping into these big decision moments in our lives, so how does what James says about wisdom being a lifestyle and not an answer key actually help?

One of the amazing things about our God is that he offers to give wisdom as a gift when we ask. Let me remind you of what James has already said earlier in his letter, back in chapter 1: “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.”

James reminds us that all we need to do is ask God for wisdom and he will give it!

I think that’s one of the most practical applications we have here — you need wisdom? Then ask!

And when we are pursuing Wisdom from Above, we’re no longer deciding solely based on what this would do for me, but we ask out of the posture of, “God, I want to honor YOU with this decision.”

And James reminds us that God will respond! He will give us wisdom in our decisions when we ask!

See, when we’re looking at this passage, we’re reminded that God is no Magic 8 Ball. And while we want to be able to answer the question, “What do I do now?” James reminds us that God cares more about transforming lives than giving answers. And we recognize that true faith — real allegiance to Jesus — pursues Wisdom from Above, not an answer key but a lifestyle. The wise decision flows from the wise person.

Would you pray with me?