TRUE WISDOM

INTRODUCTION

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INTRODUCTION

Illustration: Have you ever heard the phrase, "Out of the mouth of babes?" Certainly, you have. It comes from the simple truth that sometimes it takes a child to reveal lasting wisdom. It seems foolish, but it isn’t!

For example:

· Patrick, age 10, said, "Never trust a dog to watch your food."

· Michael, 14, said, "When your dad is mad and asks you, "Do I look stupid?" don’t answer him."

· Michael, wise man that he was also said, "Never tell your mom her diet’s not working."

· Randy, 9 years of age said, "Stay away from prunes." One wonders how he discovered that bit of wisdom.

· Naomi, 15 said, "If you want a kitten, start out by asking for a horse."

· Lauren, age 9 said, "Felt markers are not good to use as lipstick."

· Joel, 10 years old, said, "Don’t pick on your sister when she’s holding a baseball bat." and

· Eileen, age 8 said, "Never try to baptize a cat."

Wisdom can best be understood by the single words what and how. Wisdom means knowing what something is, what is behind something, and what can be done. It is knowing how to use or relate to something.

James tells us that there are basically Two Kinds of Wisdom:

False Wisdom

and Genuine Wisdom

Proposition: Like faith, true wisdom is seen in our actions.

Transition: First let's take a look at...

1. FALSE WISDOM

False wisdom can only lead to

A. Jealousy and Selfish Ambition

1) In v. 14 James says, But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. (don’t cover up the truth with boasting and lying)

Being bitterly jealous is misguided zeal that results in disagreeableness. It is anger at the accomplishments of others.

Are we, in fact, simply envious of the abilities or success God has allowed others to have?

A positive answer to this question ought to make us very careful in how we express our criticisms.

2) Selfish ambition is the desire to live for one’s self and no one or nothing else, only for what a person can get out of it.

3) James then continues this line of thought in v. 15, where he says, “This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.”

The source and standards of this kind of wisdom are from the world and not God.

Its teachers are self-centered and shallow. This wisdom doesn’t come from faith—it is earthly and unspiritual.

“Unspiritual” could refer to the natural man. The term for unspiritual is used in the New Testament for the person who does not have God’s Spirit (3:15), or does not accept the guidance that comes from the Spirit of God ().

This person teaches only the wisdom of this life, based on human feelings and human reasoning alone.

The real source of these thoughts is the Devil whose purposes are always destructive; they can produce a climate in the church, at home, and at work that damages relationships.

Think of how quickly our words, language, and tone of voice can create a destructive climate (Barton, 1084).

4) Then James shows the destructive nature of this kind of wisdom. In v. 16 he says, “For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.”

People filled with jealousy and selfish ambition think they must be first in everything.

They cannot stand to see anyone else in the limelight or have anyone else cast a shadow on what they do.

This leads to desires and strategies for revenge that can lead to disaster.

5) Paul warns us in (NLT) “Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. 4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.”

False wisdom is me centered wisdom.

It doesn't think of the needs of others, but rather only the needs of self.

It seeks only power and glory for self.

It seeks to divide and conquer.

It seeks only what is important for me.

It seeks what pleases the flesh.

It seeks control and having ones’ way.

These are all the ways of Satan, who comes to steal, kill and destroy.

These are the ways of hell who seek nothing but to lead people away from God and into sin and evil.

Transition: The complete opposite of false wisdom is...

2. GENUINE WISDOM

A. If You Are Wise…

1) James returns to a familiar theme of living out your faith. This is true whether we are talking about faith or wisdom. Don't tell me about it, show it to me.

2) In v. 13 James says, "Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom."

The truly wise person demonstrates his or her understanding of Christ by the way he or she lives.

Our works show where our hearts are invested. Does your attitudes and motives match your actions?

While we may not claim to be wise, we can aim at living in wise ways—a life of steady goodness.

The guidance given to us in God’s word is dependable wisdom. But as we seek to do good deeds, we must watch out for pride.

Pride is having an attitude of self-importance about the talents and abilities that God has given us and using them to set ourselves up as superior or to be divisive in our relationships with others.

Wisdom involves both attitudes and actions in living. A wise life will display not only goodness, but also humility.

Wisdom involves both attitudes and actions in living. A wise life will display not only goodness, but also humility.

B. If You Are Wise…Here is What Comes Out

1) In v.17, James describes the character and quality of Godly wisdom. He says, " But the wisdom from above is

first pure (the same root word used for “holy”) – We must maintain spiritual integrity

then peaceable, - This is peace that goes beyond inner peace; it is opposed to strife.

gentle, - means “sweet reasonableness” or “forbearance” – it does not push its own rights or opinions without listening and respecting others.

open to reason, – This may be paired with “gentle.” It implies a willingness to hear and respond appropriately, not selfishly or egotistically.

full of mercy – Not just feeling merciful but acting on it. This action results in…

good fruits, Paul writes in

And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, 10 so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

impartial and sincere. – Free from prejudice or divided loyalties. God’s wisdom results in A transparent genuineness!

Transition: James concludes in v. 18 saying, “And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.”

3. The Goal of God’s Wisdom

B. If You Are Wise…Here is What Comes Out of God’s Wisdom

A. Raising a “harvest of righteousness" demands a certain kind of climate.

1) A crop of righteousness cannot be produced in the climate of bitterness and self-seeking.

2) Righteousness will grow only in a climate of peace. And it must be sown and cultivated by the "peacemakers."

3) Such persons not only love peace and live in peace but also strive to create conditions of peace (Burdick, The Expositor's Bible Commentary – Volume 12: Hebrews through Revelation, 191).

B. Godly Wisdom is True Wisdom

1) True wisdom begins and ends with an understanding of God's character.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding.

Those that are wise are pure because God is pure.

Those that are wise are peace loving because God is peace loving.

Those that are wise are concerned with the feelings of others because God is concerned about others.

Those that are wise are full of mercy because God is all merciful.

Those that are wise are always doing good deeds because God is always giving good things to those in need.

Those that are wise show no favoritism because God doesn't show favoritism.

These are the characteristics of wisdom because they are the characteristics of God.

If you want to be truly wise, then be a person who seeks after God.

If you want to be truly wise be a person of prayer.

If you want to be truly wise be a person of the Word.

If you want to be truly wise be a person who displays Christ in everything you do and in everything you say.

Notice that the goal is not wisdom but righteousness. God doesn’t give us wisdom so that we can be wise, he gives us wisdom so that we can live righteously (righteousness = character)

Transition: If you want to be wise follow Jesus! Follow Jesus in his sacrificial life! Follow Jesus in his giving! Follow Jesus in his service! Follow Jesus in his character!

CONCLUSION:

The choice is yours:

You can choose the world’s wisdom, which is earthly, unspiritual, and even demonic. It only leads to jealousy, selfish ambitions and false truth, which leads to disorder and every kind of ungodly practice, or…

You can choose wisdom from above, God’s wisdom, which leads to a harvest of righteousness!

Choose wisely!