James 3:13-18

Wisdom from above

Last week it was great to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, yes? there is so much power and strength in what Jesus did for us! He sent the Holy Spirit that lives in us! May we keep the message of the resurrection in the forefront of our minds everyday.

Getting back to the book of James.... we have made it through nearly 3 chapters. we have seen how James writes almost as the book of Proverbs, where it can seem to have one paragraph that doesn’t necessarily connect to the next. Some have surmised that James had his writings placed together to give to the churches for edification and encouragement on many different topics as the church went though the suffering and struggles that they experienced. What we can learn from it today, is of great importance because the book is so practical and straight forth.

a few questions we can ask ourselves as we study the text.

what does Godly wisdom look like?

Is there a contrast to Godly wisdom?

Remember, James doesn’t hold back. We see that today in verse 13 where we begin.....

James

James 3:13 ESV

Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.

What a question! puts those who think that they are wise and understanding on guard..... do they step out and say, here i am… or do the duck?

some commentators believe there were people James knew that were walking in pride instead of a meekness or humility. He calls it out that the ones who are wise and understanding, show it by their walk. by how they live.

James has a theme throughout his book that is based on that faith produces action. we are hearing it again.

James 3:14 ESV

But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth.

instead of the commercial, what’s in your wallet, we could hear, whats in your heart!

we see here that James is speaking to the ones who think a lot of themselves, that their thinking and actions are not in line with Godly wisdom. He points out bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in their hearts..... this is not pretty. Remember, James is speaking to the churches.... Christians, right? this is really a warning to have them check their hearts. who wants to be going down the wrong path? this is a warning sign as they are driving down the road.... saying turn around! wrong way!

James sees these people boasting about having wisdom but their lives are showing something much different...... and James shows them where their wisdom is really coming from in verse 15.

James 3:15 ESV

This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.

first, this points out that there is an earthly wisdom. it is unspiritual, which means it is coming from the flesh…as we saw the jealousy and selfish ambition earlier. James goes as far to say it is demonic.

Remember Paul in comes to the realization and says he knows there’s nothing in his flesh is good? in essence, if we live by our flesh, it is not from God...... and that can lead to hypocrisy if we are professing Christ. saying one thing but doing another. it would just lead to confusion. our witness in the world would be damaged. Not to say that we are going to live perfectly, but our witness is important.

James speaks further on the fleshly issues in 16.

James 3:16 ESV

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

Wow! this looks bad! disorder and every vile practice! but maybe we have seen this in our lives at some point or other..... where jealousy and selfish ambition are at work. this is what comes out of it..... disorder… things in confusion, disarray. things not going in the right way. that can be frustrating to deal with, yes? really it is due to the flesh having rule. And the flesh can have rule in the christian community! man it can get ugly!

that is not what God wants for the church. God wants just the opposite. He wants love and mercy flowing through the relationships in church.... He wants us to be at peace with each other. Us giving the benefit of the doubt to each other. James tells us this in 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.

the wisdom from above! in stark contrast to earthly, fleshly wisdom. wisdom from above is a picture of Jesus. Wisdom is personified in the book of Proverbs.... it speaks of wisdom crying out to people on how to live. God wants us to live with His wisdom.

you know there is another list in scripture that is about what we are called to think on. True, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, praiseworthy.

and then God’s wisdom is pure, peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy, good fruits, impartial, sincere

peaceable.

gentle

open to reason

full of mercy

good fruits

impartial

sincere

James 3:18 ESV

And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

God knows how we work.....He made us! He knows that our thinking and our living works together. And us allowing the Spirit to reign in our mind and heart is the way for us to walk in this world. and this is what we have when we live a life in the wisdom from above.

James 3:18 ESV

And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

who wants a harvest of righteousness! James is talking about how we live. back in chapt. 1 he spoke about mans anger not producing the righteousness of God. but we see here it is sown in peace. being a peacemaker.

Church, let’s be that church that the community recognizes as a group of believers that live out our faith in the community. that show the love and mercy of Christ to all we meet. Let’s be the peace makers in relationships. I believe God is ready to move in a powerful way here in Andover. do you?

God, we look to You, we need You. You are the one that can lead us in our lives, in our thinking. Be on our minds, guide us and convict us, show us the way you want for us. Lord, we look to You, and thank You for all You have done for us, and all that You will do for us......may we be seeking Your wisdom today, and always...

amen.