Sermon Tone Analysis
Overall tone of the sermon
This automated analysis scores the text on the likely presence of emotional, language, and social tones. There are no right or wrong scores; this is just an indication of tones readers or listeners may pick up from the text.
A score of 0.5 or higher indicates the tone is likely present.
Emotion Tone
Anger
0.12UNLIKELY
Disgust
0.07UNLIKELY
Fear
0.06UNLIKELY
Joy
0.69LIKELY
Sadness
0.46UNLIKELY
Language Tone
Analytical
0.78LIKELY
Confident
0.42UNLIKELY
Tentative
0UNLIKELY
Social Tone
Openness
0.95LIKELY
Conscientiousness
0.45UNLIKELY
Extraversion
0.46UNLIKELY
Agreeableness
0.62LIKELY
Emotional Range
0.47UNLIKELY
Tone of specific sentences
Tones
Emotion
Language
Social Tendencies
Anger
< .5
.5 - .6
.6 - .7
.7 - .8
.8 - .9
> .9
Where does true wisdom come from?
James is all about proof.
He wants proof.
If you are wise, prove it.
Don’t just have a mental assent, let us see it lived out.
If you think you are wise and understand God’s ways, James says, “prove it by living an honorable life.”
This reminds me of
show me your faith without deeds
Now he describes what he means, by “doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom.”
Doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom.
Let's take a look at a couple of different translations of this verse.
Humility of wisdom
It seems that James is equating true wisdom with humility.
Remember, humility isn't thinking less of yourself.
Instead, it's thinking of yourself less.
Putting others before yourself.
James 3:13
James shows us that true wisdom is demonstrated when God's commands are reflected in deeds.
Ultimately, true wisdom has the importance of humility and good works.
True wisdom, true religion
James is continuing with the idea that one can claim something, but if his lifestyle doesn't reflect that claim, it is not genuine.
Our actions should reflect our beliefs.
If you claim to be wise but do not live a life that reflects good behavior, well then, you're fooling yourself.
The basis one can demonstrate wisdom is through good conduct.
True wisdom produces two things, good works, and humility.
James is communicating that wisdom is a quality we all should seek to attain.
Humility isn't typically prized by in today's sociaty, just as it wasn't in the time James wrote this letter.
Generally, we don't associate a strong and confident person with humility.
I believe that is, in part, because we don't have a correct view of humility.
Our humility should come from the understanding of our position in relation to a glorious God, sinful next to holy.
James is all about proof.
He wants proof.
When we see God for who he really is next to ourselves, who we really are, not the person we pretend to be, but the real "us."
We should understand that we're not as special as we might think.
We have nothing to boast about.
We should be humbled that we cannot earn or achieve acceptance with God.
We can't.
This humility before God should flow out toward others.
The world, the flesh, and the devil.
Think of it this way, you are a car, and your life is a road.
We are on a journey.
Break down,
need to be adjusted,
need repair,
new washed,
If your wise, prove it.
Don’t just keep a mental assent, let’s see it lived out.
need gas,
the road is bumpy,
the road is uphill
the road is downhill
get lost
show up late
the list goes on.
Here is the question.
Who is driving you?
True wisdom?
Wisdom from above?
Or worldly wisdom?
Attitudes and proper actions will prove wisdom and knowledge
False wisdom = self-focused
false wisdom is being led by satan
false wisdom leads to pride in ourselves
What wisdom are we allowing to drive us?
if one claims to be wise and live in contrast to this reality, bitter envy, selfish ambition, they are fooling themselves.
Good gifts from above, true wisdom is a gift from above.
Good gifts from above, true wisdom is a gift from above.
Earthly is the opposite of heaven
Jealousy can have a neutral or negative connotation.
Here, because it led with the word bitter, this word takes on a negative sense, referring to a self-oriented desire to possess things that are not really ours.
This is the wisdom of God.
It is ‘the wisdom that is from above’ (v.
17).
It is wisdom that springs from God and pertains to God.
Like true faith, true wisdom can be identified by the quality of life it produces.
What is this wisdom like?
It's similar to the fruit of the spirit.
James says:
Wisdom produces purity.
• It is ‘pure.’
This means it is free from all the things that characterize false wisdom.
innocence and moral blamelessness, untainted, untouched
Wisdom from above is first pure, all qualities that follow are specific dimensions to this purity.
true wisdom is peaceable, considerate, open to reason -- the opposite of envious, selfish, and ambitious person driven by earthy wisdom.
• It is also ‘peaceable.’
It delights in peace and promotes peace.
picks up on what it is like in a community without peace-loving members.
We'll get to that next week.
If you are wise and understand God’s ways, James says, “prove it by living an honorable life.”
Now he describes what he means, by “doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom.”
Those who are gentle and willing to yield are the ones who live peaceably.
• It is ‘gentle.’
It is not combative and abrasive.
It is reasonable and courteous.
• It is ‘willing to yield.’
It is open to reason.
It doesn’t insist on its rights and its own way.
What is meant is not a weak, credulous gullibility, but a willing deference to others when unalterable theological or moral principles are not involved.
Douglas J. Moo, The Letter of James, The Pillar New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI; Leicester, England: Eerdmans; Apollos, 2000), 176.
• It is ‘full of mercy,’ that is, it shows compassion to those who are in need.
• It is ‘full of … good fruits’.
< .5
.5 - .6
.6 - .7
.7 - .8
.8 - .9
> .9