“Evidence of Wisdom”

DATE: June 7, 2026 Sunday AM

INTRODUCTION.

James 3:1–18 NASB95

1 Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment. 2 For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well. 3 Now if we put the bits into the horses’ mouths so that they will obey us, we direct their entire body as well. 4 Look at the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, are still directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot desires. 5 So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell. 7 For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human race. 8 But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; 10 from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way. 11 Does a fountain send out from the same opening both fresh and bitter water? 12 Can a fig tree, my brethren, produce olives, or a vine produce figs? Nor can salt water produce fresh. 13 Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. 18 And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

MESSAGE.

INTRODUCTION

James had talked about saving faith resulting in actions in the believers life.

He talked about how we deal with trails, treat others, and our speech.

Now He is going to move to the actions of our wisdom.

True Godly wisdom is shown through actions of peace.

How do you know by your actions that you have Godly wisdom?

Let me show you two examples of wisdom in the bible to prove that actions are able to show if you have Godly wisdom not.

James 3:13-18

MESSAGE

What Type of wisdom do you have?

 James begins by ask “who is wise and understands?

Are you Wise and understanding.

Do you have the ability to navigate life, our earthly living, with knowledge from heaven. 

Then we get a command (an imperative) to “SHOW” it by your behavior.

Gentleness = right use of power - power under control.

Wisdom is not just knowledge it is the right us of knowledge. 

Then the command “do not be arrogant and lie” if you do not.

“Bitter jealousy”

Selfish ambition - comes from a Greek word that became know to describe anyone who entered politics for selfish reasons and sought to achieve his agenda at any cost. 

After James has set the stage by giving the command to show your wisdom by your actions he moves into giving examples of two type of wisdom.

II. An Example of Unspiritual Wisdom.

.Earthly

Opposite of heavenly wisdom which builds up others.  

Earthly wisdom is hurtful and tears down. 

Jealous - selfish 

Natural

Unspiritual.

Characterized by the created, finite, and fallen world.

The nature that shared is with the animals.

- Luke 9:46-48an argument started among them as to which of them might be the greatest. 

Demonic

Characteristics of spirits in rebellion to God. 

Satan kicked out of heaven for pride and selfishness. 

- “set my throne about God’s stars.”Isaiah 14:12-15.

Isaiah 14:12–15 NASB95

12 “How you have fallen from heaven, O star of the morning, son of the dawn! You have been cut down to the earth, You who have weakened the nations! 13 “But you said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God, And I will sit on the mount of assembly In the recesses of the north. 14 ‘I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’ 15 “Nevertheless you will be thrust down to Sheol, To the recesses of the pit.

Ezekiel 28:16-17.

Revelation 12.

Brings Disorder 

God is a god of order. . 1 Corinthians 14:40

1 Corinthians 14:40 NASB95

40 But all things must be done properly and in an orderly manner.

After give three characteristics of unspiritual or worldly wisdom James moves describing what spiritual or heavenly wisdom looks like.

III. An Example of spiritual Wisdom.

.Pure

Spiritual integrity and moral sincerity. 

Referring back to James 1:17 - every good thing and every perfect gift is from above. 

.Peaceable

Harmonious relationship. 

.Gentle

Tolerant of slight deviations from moral or strict adherence to correct honorable behavior.  

.Reasonable 

Persuadable.

Willing and open to listen to another point of view and even adopt that position or direction.

(with sufficient reason or evidence.)

.Full of mercy

Mercy = not giving us what we deserve. 

Grace = gives us what we do not deserve. 

Leniency and compassion toward offenders by a person or agency of authority; often penal-related.  

Clemency - kindness or concern expressed for someone in need.

To be full of something is to be “controlled by”.

. Do not get drunk with wine - filled with Spirit. Ephesians 5:18

Ephesians 5:18 NASB95

18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit,

.Good fruits

.Unwavering

.Without hypocrisy

Sincere. 

- and peace.Produces righteous actions

Harmonious relationships and freedom from disputes.

CONCLUSION

Allow me to finish up by reading this verse.

. How Blessed man find wisdom and gains understanding.Proverbs 3:13

Proverbs 3:13 NASB95

13 How blessed is the man who finds wisdom And the man who gains understanding.

After hearing what James had to say about wisdom what type of wisdom do you have.

Your wisdom is the life style of wisdom - not a one time occurrence. 

INVITATION:

Know that you have been given the characteristics of worldly and heavenly wisdom and had sometime to think about your own life

What do you need to do in response to the knowledge you have been given today?

Do you need to praise God and thank Him for the wisdom he has given you?

Do you need to pray and ask God for forgiveness?

Do you need to pray James 1:5 “ But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

CONCLUSION.