James 3:13–18 The Living Bible

13 If you are wise, live a life of steady goodness so that only good deeds will pour forth. And if you don’t brag about them, then you will be truly wise! 14 And by all means don’t brag about being wise and good if you are bitter and jealous and selfish; that is the worst sort of lie. 15 For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, inspired by the devil. 16 For wherever there is jealousy or selfish ambition, there will be disorder and every other kind of evil. 17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure and full of quiet gentleness. Then it is peace-loving and courteous. It allows discussion and is willing to yield to others; it is full of mercy and good deeds. It is wholehearted and straightforward and sincere. 18 And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of goodness.

James 3:18 The Living Bible

18 And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of goodness.

Wisdom is is a Lifestyle (vs. 13)

James 3:13 NIV84

13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.

Lack of wisdom causes Problems (vs. 14‑ 16)

James 3:14–16 NIV84

14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.

HOW TO RELATE WISELY TO OTHERS

James 3:17 NIV84

17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.

1. IF I'M WISE, I WON'T COMPROMISE MY INTEGRITY .

James 3:17 NIV84

17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.

Proverbs 10:9 NIV84

9 The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out.

2. IF I'M WISE, I WON'T ANTAGONIZE YOUR ANGER .

James 3:17 NLT

17 But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere.

Proverbs 20:3 TEV

3 Any fool can start arguments; the honourable thing is to stay out of them.

THREE THINGS THAT CAUSE ARGUMENTS

Comparing

Condemning

Contradicting

Proverbs 14:29 The Living Bible

29 A wise man controls his temper. He knows that anger causes mistakes.

3. IF I'M WISE, I WON'T MINIMIZE YOUR FEELINGS .

James 3:17 NIV84

17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.

Considerate… Courteous LB

Proverbs 15:4 TEV

4 Kind words bring life, but cruel words crush your spirit.

4. IF I'M WISE, I WON'T CRITICIZE DECISIONS OR SUGGESTIONS .

James 3:17 NIV84

17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.

"Wisdom is ... submissive" Greek: "eupelthes"

"open to reason" (RSV) "it allows discussion" (LB)

Proverbs 12:15 The Living Bible

15 A fool thinks he needs no advice, but a wise man listens to others.

5. IF I'M WISE, I WON'T EMPHASIZE YOUR MISTAKES .

James 3:17 NIV84

17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.

"Wisdom is ... full of mercy and good fruit"

Proverbs 17:9 The Living Bible

9 Love forgets mistakes; nagging about them parts the best of friends.

Galatians 6:1 NLT

1 Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself.

Romans 15:1 NLT

1 We who are strong must be considerate of those who are sensitive about things like this. We must not just please ourselves.

Matthew 7:3 NLT

3 “And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own?

6. IF I'M WISE, I WON'T DISGUISE MY OWN WEAKNESSES.

James 3:17 NIV84

17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.

"Wisdom is ... impartial and sincere"

Greek: adiakritos & anypokritos - straightforward and without hypocrisy

Proverbs 28:13 TEV

13 You will never succeed in life if you try to hide your sins. Confess them and give them up; then God will show mercy to you.

Colossians 2:3 NCV

3 In him all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are safely kept.