The Lifestyle of Wisdom

James 3:13–18 KJV 1900

Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

Who is wise and knowledgeable among you? Let him show, by his good conduct,  his works in humility of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealously and selfish ambition in your heart, You should not boast and tell lies [to yourselves] against the truth! This is not the wisdom that has come down from above but [it is] earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. For where there is jealously and selfish ambition; there [is also] disorder and every kind of evil deed.  But, the wisdom, from above, is first pure, then peaceable, gentile, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and without hypocrisy. And [the] fruit of the righteous is sown in peace among those who make peace. ()

Title: The Lifestyle of Wisdom

Text:

Theme: Wisdom/Lifestyle

Series: An Authentic Faith: Study of James

Introduction|

Attention:

How many of you consider yourself to be a wise person?

Need Element: 

Everyone wants to be known as a wise person. No one wants to be known as a fool. However, our lifestyle often reveals a different picture than our picture of ourselves. This morning, I want you to examine the authenticity of your faith by seeing if your life has the marks of godly wisdom or ungodly wisdom. In our time together this morning, I want to show you the marks of an unwise life and a wise life in order to challenge your claim of faith.

Background:

James writes his letter to explain the various aspects of an authentic faith: 1) an authentic faith rejoices in trials; 2) an authentic faith recognizes the goodness of God; 3) an authentic faith obeys the word of God; 4) an authentic faith embraces true worship; 5) an authentic faith does not show partiality; 6) an authentic faith controls his speech.  

Textual Idea: 

James reminds his readers that an authentic follower of Christ who possess an authentic faith reveals his faith through a lifestyle of wisdom 

Big Idea: 

An authentic faith lives a life of biblical wisdom () ()

An authentic faith lives a live of wisdom () ()

Interrogative:

What does a lifestyle of wise and knowledge look like?

Outline |

I. The Marks of an Unwise life (vv. 14-16)

Explanation:

First, I want you to notice the declaration of the unwise (vv. 14).

The word glory (κατακαυχᾶσθε) suggests the idea of exulting something or someone over something or someone else (BDAG, 517). The word lie (ψεύδεσθε) suggests lying to someone about something spiritual ( and ). However, the person who has bitter jealousy (the envy of their heart has brought them to a place of bitterness) and selfish ambition (they are only concerned about themselves: their goals, their wants, their plans, etc.) should not boast and lie about being wise because their attitude and actions reveal a different picture.

Next, I want you to notice the description of the unwise (vv. 15).

This type of wisdom is earthly.

The word earthly (ἐπίγειος) suggests that which is opposed to the things of heaven (BDAG, 368). So, this type of wisdom is anti-Spirit, anti-scripture, and anti-savior.

This type of wisdom is also unspiritual/sensual.

The word earthly (ἐπίγειος) suggests that which is opposed to the things of heaven (BDAG, 368). So, this type of wisdom is anti-Spirit, anti-scripture, and anti-savior. This type of wisdom is also unspiritual/sensual. The word unspiritual (ψυχικός) suggests a lack of the Spirit’s presence. Without the presence of the Holy Spirit, these people lack the divine wisdom of God. Finally, this type of wisdom is demonic. This word is rare that suggests something being demon-like (A.T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament (Nashville, TN: Broadman Press, 1933), ) or demon-inspired (Craig L. Blomberg and Mariam J. Kamell, James (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2008), 174). This type of wisdom is described as completely devoid of heavenly influence.

The word unspiritual (ψυχικός) suggests a lack of the Spirit’s presence. Without the presence of the Holy Spirit, these people lack the divine wisdom of God.

Finally, this type of wisdom is demonic.

This word is rare that suggests something being demon-like (A.T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament (Nashville, TN: Broadman Press, 1933), ) or demon-inspired (Craig L. Blomberg and Mariam J. Kamell, James (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2008), 174). This type of wisdom is described as completely devoid of heavenly influence.

Finally, I want you to notice the delusion of the unwise (vv. 16).

When the attitudes of jealously and selfishness exist within the life of the believer, they only deceive themselves into thinking they are wise. Jealously and selfishness only produce disorder and evil practices. One translation says: “For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there is disorder and every evil practice” (, CSB).

Illustration:

Harry Randall Truman was a homeowner at the foot of Mount St. Helens in the state of Washington. In 1980, the volcano was showing signs of a major eruption. As a matter of fact, one expert at the time declared that the chance of a major eruption was virtually 100 percent. Truman’s home was located at the southern end of Spirit Lake at the foot of the mountain. Because of his location, he was living in the most likely path of the volcanic flow. Governmental officials implored him to leave his home and property. Many of his friends told him that his failure to leave was suicide. His family begged him to leave lest he die. On May 18, 1980, the massive volcanic eruption took place spewing lava and ash into the atmosphere and the surrounding landscape. On May 18, 1980,Harry Randell Truman died because he could not let go of his home, even if it meant certain death.(https://ministry127.com/resources/illustration/get-out)

Harry Randall Truman was a homeowner at the foot of Mount St. Helens in the state of Washington. In 1980, the volcano was showing signs of a major eruption. As a matter of fact, one expert at the time declared that the chance of a major eruption was virtually 100 percent. Truman’s home was located at the southern end of Spirit Lake at the foot of the mountain. Because of his location, he was living in the most likely path of the volcanic flow. Governmental officials implored him to leave his home and property. Many of his friends told him that his failure to leave was suicide. His family begged him to leave lest he die. On May 18, 1980, the massive volcanic eruption took place spewing lava and ash into the atmosphere and the surrounding landscape. On May 18, 1980,Harry Randell Truman died because he could not let go of his home, even if it meant certain death.(https://ministry127.com/resources/illustration/get-out)

Application:

A lifestyle of wisdom embraces the humility over jealously and selfishness. This passage summons us to self-examination about the nature of our faith. Our claim of faith must agree with the our lifestyle of faith. As a follower of Jesus Christ, you life should be guided and governed by the leadership of the Spirit, Savior, and Scriptures. Our wisdom must extend from our relationship with savior under the supervision of the Spirit and under the direction of the Scriptures. Godly wisdom is not disorderly. It will also never lead you to practice things that are not biblical. Do you have bitter jealously in your heart? Are you a selfish person? Are you led by the wisdom of the world over the wisdom of God? Does your life reveal a lifestyle of evil practices? It might be time for a spiritual check-up because you might not have meet the Great Physician!

II. The Marks of A Wise Life (vv. 17-18)

Explanation:

First, I want you to notice the description of the wise (vv. 17).

Heavenly wisdom is pure.

The word pure (ἁγνός) carries the idea of something that is undefiled or innocent. True wisdom manifests purity before God and others. This concept provides the foundation for the remains modifiers of heavenly wisdom.

Heavenly wisdom is also peaceable

The word peaceable (εἰρηνική) denotes the idea of “being conducive to a harmonious relationship” (BDAG, 288). However, it suggests being free from anxiety and worry (Louw-Nida 25.249). Biblical wisdom provides peace with God and peace with others.

Heavenly wisdom is gentle.

This word carries the idea of being kind or merciful to others. Biblical wisdom manifests itself through an attitude and action of kindness before a watching world ().

Heavenly wisdom is also easy to be intreated.

This phrase suggests being open, compliant, or obedient to another position based upon sufficient reason or evidence. Thus, biblical wisdom manifests itself through an openness to new ideas and methods that fall within the biblical perimeters.

Heavenly wisdom is full of mercy and good fruit.

The word full suggests a defining characteristic. So, biblical wisdom is defined by an abundant amount of mercy or compassion for others. However, it is also defined by an abundant good fruit. The idea is one of cause (mercy) and effect (good fruit).

Heavenly wisdom is also without partiality.

The phrase without partiality means free from prejudice, nonjudgemental, and impartial towards others. True wisdom is loves God and others!

Finally, true wisdom is without hypocrisy.

This word means genuine or sincere. Thus, it is not wishy-washy. Biblical wisdom is not double-minded. As believers, our lives need to be characterized by the virtues in order to “truly impact the world for God’s kingdom” (Blomberg and Kamell, James, 176).

Secondly, I want you to notice the demonstration of the wise (vv. 18).

James uses a proverbs of his day to paint a picture of those who demonstrate biblical wisdom within their life. The phrase fruit of righteousness suggests the manifestation of righteousness. The picture is that righteousness is sown “in peace by those who cultivate peace” (, CSB). The concepts of purity () and peace () are the opposites of envy and selfish ambition ( and ). Most likely, James is quoting which reads: “the work of righteousness shall be peace.” The idea is that a truly wise person will promote peace over conflict.

Illustration:

We often say that a tree is known by its fruit. James says that wisdom is know by its fruit!

Application:

Do you possess true wisdom? As a possessor of the Spirit and follower of the Savior, you should try to live a life of purity, peace, gentleness, openness, and mercy. Our life ought to be the marks of biblical wisdom as followers of Christ. We should seeks to reveal the presence of the Spirit within our lives (). Our attitudes and actions ought to reflect our relationship with Christ. As we grow closer to the wise one, we are conformed into his image ().

Jesus says: “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned” (, ESV).

If you are not produces fruit, you might not know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior!

Conclusion|

Reiteration:

Our lives can bear the marks of an unwise person or the marks of a wise person.

Action:

First, we need to examine our lives to see if our lives reveal an unwise or a wise lifestyle. This morning, does your life bear the marks of an unwise person or a wise person? Secondly, it urges us to embrace the fruits of the Spirit within our lives as followers of Christ. Does your life manifest the marks of the Spirit?

Appeal:

Are you truly a wise person or are your a fool?