The Wisdom of God

Introduction:

· Commencement addresses in 2026

WE MUST ANSWER THE SAME QUESTION (WORK, HOME, FAMILY, TIME)…JAMES BOILS IT DOWN FOR US – OUR LIVES WILL BE DEFINED BY ONE OF TWO KINDS OF WISDOM.  

I) How Worldly Wisdom Disintegrates Us

A. A Question for Teachers (and All of us) (vs. 13)

i. All who are Christians are called to be wise…(vs. 13a)

1. James addresses teachers (see vv. 1-12) but includes all

2. Often “wise” people are others than us…but all Christians are to be wise!

ii. …but what does that look like? (vs. 13b)

1. Like all things: Virtue à Action, SO: “Wisdom” à Humble deeds

2. ILLUSTRATION: Kara Swisher, Burn Bookà Tech CEO’s

B. Earthly Wisdom is Self-Centered (vv. 14-16)

i. Earthly Wisdom is self-centered (vv. 14-15)

1. Jealousy, selfish ambition define worldly wisdom

2. ILLUSTRATION: A sellout: anything for a buck, with no higher vision

3. This fits with “earthly, unspiritual, demonic” à worldly

ii. The result of earthly wisdom are chaos & upheaval (vs. 16b)

1. Worldly wisdom is like a group project when 1 person fights for control

2. EXAMPLE: If you go into marriage…church? or a culture

3. APPLICATION: Since this is our nature…Where do I see worldly wisdom?

WHAT’S THE ALTERNATIVE? JAMES INTRODUCES THAT IN VERSE 17.

II) How Godly Wisdom Produces Righteousness

A. What does Godly Wisdom Look like? (vs. 17)

i. First things First: Godly Wisdom begins in reverence

1. First in terms of chronology or primacy? Probably both!

2. Purity is an awakened Reverence for God that leads to obedience

3. You will never practice true wisdom apart from awe of God (Pr. 1:7)

Proverbs 1:7 ESV

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

ii. What follows:

1. But rather than creating pride & division, we see gentleness and kindness

2. Wise people know they might be wrong àopen to learning and correction

3. Wise people are merciful with those who are struggling

4. Wise people are impartial, in that they don’t treat others at “face value”

5. Wise people are not hypocrites

B. What are the Fruits of Godly Wisdom?

i. Testing ourselves

1. When you look at your life, what do you see?

2. EXAMPLE: David Brooks Resume virtues vs.  Eulogy virtues

ii. Those who practice godly wisdom produce righteousness (vs. 18a)

1. Godly Wisdom sows today for a harvest tomorrow

2. ILLUSTRATION: Teacher who is patient, grandparents who take grandchild in…NOT immediate fruit, but a later harvest!

C. How Do We get godly wisdom?

i. Since wisdom is from above, we can ask for it (see 1:5)

1. James already promised that if we lack wisdom, it’s there for the asking

2. APPLICATION Have you asked for wisdom from God?

ii. Since wisdom is from above, we can worship

1. But more: True wisdom grows out of a posture towards God –

2. Jesus is the picture of true wisdom:

a. The king of the nations…comes “meek” and riding on a donkey

b. He did not consider equality with God to be grasped, but humbled himself

3. The reverence before a God who loves us all the way to a cross and dies in our place

Transition:

Conclusion