Wisdom for Wise Living

Introduction

More likely to be killed by a cow than a shark. Last year - 22 people killed by cows and 4 by sharks --- Next time you see a cow, what’s the wise thing to do? RUN! No, because you’re not convinced that a cow is going to kill you.

https://curiosity.com/topics/cows-kill-more-people-than-sharks/

Are you convinced that true wisdom comes from God? Are you convinced that His way of life is better than the way this world offers you? Does your life demonstrate that you are convinced that true wisdom comes from God?

A contrast between two types of wisdom: wisdom of the world and the wisdom of the Word. You’re going to walk in either the wisdom of the world or the wisdom of the Word.

This morning: I want you to be able to identify which type of wisdom you are walking in, and I want you to make a decision to walk in the wisdom fo

This morning, I want you to be convinced that your life will always work best when you walk in the wisdom of Word. I want to challenge you to reject the wisdom of the world and embrace the wisdom of the Word.

Wisdom = the application of knowledge - making right choices based on what we know. Reality:

You want to walk in wisdom. You want to make right choices that lead to a fruitful life, but how do you do it?

Understand that there are two types of wisdom: the wisdom of the world and the wisdom of the Word. James wants his readers to walk in the wisdom of the Word instead of the wisdom of the world. James is challenging us to reject the wisdom of the world and embrace the wisdom of the Word.

Reject the Wisdom of the World.

You need to hear James.

Who is wise and understanding among you? Perhaps leaders in churches who were claiming wisdom who weren’t wise at all. (vs. 13) Wisdom seemed to be lacking. Obvious from what James has said that wisdom is not:

The person who can’t control his tongue.

T

The person who discriminates and shows favoritism.

The person who is trying to be wealthy.

What is wisdom? Making choices that help you live a successful, happy life? You must be wise to accomplish your dreams. Wouldn’t you like to spend a day with Bill Gates and pick his brain? He must be wise.

You can attain all kinds of worldly success and not have wisdom at all. Wisdom is making choices that lead to a godly life not necessarily a successful life. Wisdom is exemplified in your conduct. - Wisdom is living a meek, fruitful life for the Kingdom. This is wisdom from above! But, before James talks about real wisdom that comes from above, he talks about the wisdom of the world.

The wisdom of the world says, “You are the point of life. Everything revolves around you.”

You’ve bought into it - you intuitively say, “That’s right! I am the point!” You think about you and what makes you happy more than anyone or anything else. Men, you come at the end of a hard day of work and you say, “I deserve dinner on the table, a clean house, and peace and quiet. Serve me!” (Going to the pool in the evenings - worst place in the world but boys love it.)

We all have a tendency to think, “I deserve to be served. I deserve to have what I want. I deserve for God to give me what my heart desires, because the world revolves around me.”

This is the wisdom of the world - “Put you above everyone else. Think about you more than anyone else. Follow your dreams. Pursue your goals no matter what it costs and no matter who you have to step on.”

James calls this kind of wisdom:

Earthly - it doesn’t consider what’s at stake for eternity, only what’s at stake in the here and now.

Unspiritual - it’s not led by the Holy Spirit - it’s led by a sinful heart.

Demonic - It plays right into the hands of the enemy. The enemy wants you to think that life is about you. The enemy wants you to take your eyes off of God and put them on you.

Here’s how you know you are following the wisdom of the world: (3:14)

You’re characterized by bitter jealousy rather than holy contentment. - You look at others, “Why is their life better than mine?” Instead of being content with the good things God has given you.

You’re characterized by selfish ambition rather than holy ambition. - I stop at nothing to accomplish my will rather than I stop at nothing to live for God’s will.

When you follow the wisdom of the world you can expect:

Disorder and every vile practice - Bottom line: the more life is about you the more miserable you will be. You’ll do just about anything when you want your way - and when you are in a family where everyone wants their way or a church where everyone wants their own way - there’s no peace! Disorder and chaos prevails. Quarrels and fights are normal.

Embrace the Wisdom of the Word.

There’s a better kind of wisdom - real wisdom that is from above - from God Himself - instead of earthly; it’s heavenly - it has eternity in mind. Those who live out the wisdom of the Word instead of the wisdom of the earth realize that what is to come is far more important than what’s here and now.

The wisdom of the Word is:

Pure - not characterized by jealousy and selfish ambition - nor is it unspiritual and demonic - Pure wisdom - Wisdom of the Word is in stark contrast to the wisdom of the world - Wisdom of the world says, “I’m not the point, God is.” That’s pure wisdom! And it is freeing! It frees you from living a life focused on getting what you want and transforms you into a person who lives to bless others because you have been blessed by God INSTEAD of living a life that says, “You must bless me!”

You know that you are wise when you recognize that the world does not revolve around you but around the One who created everything and holds everything in His hands.

Peaceable - “Blessed are the peacemakers.” Peacemakers say, “I am willing to set aside what I want for the good of a relationship.” If you have no peace, it’s likely because you are unwilling to set aside your wants. “Peacemakers breathe grace.” (Ken Sande) Jesus made peace by giving up His life - If He gave up His life for you, you can give up your preferences or your selfish desires for the sake of someone else.

Gentle - Gentleness is a fruit of the Spirit. It does not mean wimpy. It means you handle people with care. You recognize people are broken and fragile. People struggle with all kinds of sins and the results of sins - people need compassion not judgment. Think about your relationships - do you handle them with care? Or do you constantly feel the need to criticize that person you don’t agree with? When you live for the wisdom of the world - you’ll step all over people to get what you want. When you walk in the wisdom of the Word - you care. Aren’t you thankful that Jesus was gentle with you? He had every right to condemn you to hell, but He said, “Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” ()

Open to reason - Always trying to prove your right instead of listening! You may very well be right, but doesn’t mean you can’t listen and understand. The more you insist that you’re right or that you have life figured out the more you show life revolves around you. Jesus is always right - but is He is open to reason with you - He listens to you. (Jehovah Witnesses at my door - I blew it because I wasn’t open to reason.)

Fully of mercy and good fruits - You don’t always have to prove you are right about everything, and you don’t have to get mad about everything. (Opposite of mercy = cruelty.) “Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.” () There are times when someone has hurt you that you need to address it for the sake of the relationship. There are also times you need to overlook it and let it go. Mercy = withholding judgment. Aren’t you thankful Jesus overlooked all the ways you offended Him and showed you mercy instead of judgement? He holds nothing against you. He remembers your sin no more. () Treats you as if it never happened.

Impartial and sincere - Impartial - only time word used in NT - undivided loyalty to God - sincere devotion. Jesus was undivided in His loyalty to the Father and His loyalty to you - to die in your place!

You live the wisdom of the Word - you’ll experience peace - with God and with others. Don’t you want peace?

Peace comes through wisdom - living life in such a way that you say, “I’m not the point of life. God and His Kingdom is the point.”

How do you get this wisdom that comes from above?

Reverence - “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.” () Today you have to know that God is that the center of it all. He is the One who created you in His image for His purpose. But you rebelled against His purpose. But, that did not stop Him from loving you. God demonstrated His wisdom by giving His Son, who is the personification of wisdom. In His wisdom and love, Jesus died in our place and rose again to give us life. If you choose to reject the Gospel you will be forever separated - Wisdom starts by taking your eyes off of you and standing in awe of the One who has done everything for you to give you life. Do you know Him?

Repentance - Who’s been at the center of your life? You or God? If you, turn. Repentance = change of mind that leads to a change of action. Thinking rightly about God so you live rightly before Him.

Receive - - Ask for wisdom. Life is tough, but Jesus gives you a better way. Ask and receive. Receive through prayer. Receive through being in the Word. Receive through placing yourself in a community of believers that will help you grow in wisdom.