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*Conflicting Wisdom*
James 3:13-18
Introduction
A young man was being interviewed to be a pilot for a steamboat on the Mississippi River.
The interviewer, doubtful that the young man could know the dangers of the river, asked if he knew where all the rocks were.
To this he replied, “No, sir, I do not know where all the rocks are, but I know where they aren’t.”
He got the job.
· This young man had a choice.
· He could learn and become knowledgeable in every place where there were rocks or he could focus on knowing where it was safe.
· Wisdom like knowledge can come from more than one source.
· In the Bible we find that it talks about wisdom that is attained and put to use in this world.
· There is also the wisdom that comes from God and is used to further God’s kingdom.
· Today we want to look at what James has to say about wisdom.
· In chapter 3:13-18 he describes the wisdom of this world and wisdom that comes from God.
· What we have in this world looks quite inviting.
We see people with vast amounts of knowledge.
· We observe those with incredible savvy.
· There are those who have written volumes filled with valuable facts.
· There are those who have made it their goal to be wise and knowledgeable.
· Our admiration for those with this wisdom has crept into our homes and churches.
· James reveals that worldly wisdom while seemingly attractive at first, in the end does not produce the desired results when we try to apply them to Christianity.
· He shows us that the wisdom that truly is of value has its source in the divine.
\\ The Indicator of True Wisdom (3:13)
*3:13* Who is wise and understanding among you?
By his good conduct he should show his works done in the gentleness that wisdom brings.
· James once again brings us back to the topic of wisdom
· This is so because he is trying to emphasize that wisdom is key to a person staying is a right relationship with God.
· It is those who have wisdom from God who remain faithful and demonstrate their Christianity through their actions.
· James begins in verse 13 by giving us a general synopsis of wisdom that is true.
· James poses to his reader a question that seems to allude to the idea that there were those that thought they had superior knowledge or wisdom.
· His question is meant to challenge the church as to what makes up true wisdom?
How does a person know when they are truly being wise?
· Wisdom we know is multi-faceted coming from learning and experience.
But this has limitations unless it is born of God.
· James makes it clear in chapter one that wisdom is foremost a gift of God.
It is divine understanding that enables us to live out our Christianity in a manner pleasing to Him.
· He provides two concepts concerning true wisdom
· First he states that true wisdom should produce good works.
· What he is saying is that if you truly understood the Christian life you would come to realize that it is not a faith that allows a person to claim a relationship with Jesus without demonstrating it by what you do.
· Second he emphasizes that true wisdom is characterized by gentleness or as some versions state humility or meekness.
· This characteristic of meekness has often been considered synonymous with weakness but this is not so.
· In actuality the word has more the idea of power under restraint.
· Meekness is a main quality of Christ (Matt.
11:29), an attitude to be adopted by believers (Matt.
5:5) and one of fruit of the Spirit (Gal.
5:23).
· When it comes to our relationships with family and the church, gentleness is essential.
· There is plenty of opportunity for conflict and it takes a wise and understanding individual characterized by gentleness to often resolve an issue.
· So James puts wisdom clearly in perspective; it produces a life of faith verifying action and is characterized by a humble attitude.
*Mom’s Wisdom*
To my kids who have left home and are on their own, I pass on a list of life lessons:
1. Don’t sweat your every mistake or faux pas.
They make up for the things you got away with that nobody knows about.
2. Avoid marrying anyone who deliberately flushes the toilet when you’re taking a shower.
3. When someone tells you that what he’s about to say is “for your own good,” expect the worst.
4. The value of a dog is its constant reminder of how much fun it is to be idiotic.
5.
If you are lavishly praised, enjoy the taste but don’t swallow it whole.
6.
When a politician says, “Let me make something perfectly clear,” remember that he usually won’t.
7.
Your children may leave home, but their stuff will be in your attic and basement forever.
8.
If someone says, “I know what I mean, but I just can’t put it into words,” he doesn’t know what he means.
9. Two people cannot operate a TV remote control in the same room at the same time.
10.
Don’t waste time trying to be your own best friend.
You can’t pat yourself on the back, and it’s unsatisfying to cry on your own shoulder.
Find a real friend instead.
Wisdom is the power to see and the inclination to choose the best and highest goal, together with the surest means of attaining it.
- J.I. Packer, Knowing God, p. 80.
· The value of wisdom does not take place in a vacuum.
· Whether you are heeding the words of a mother or of J.I. Packer the same truth is being revealed, wisdom has to have an end product.
· When we seek the true wisdom we seek the best and highest goal.
· We know that we have attained it and understood it when it can be seen manifested in our actions.
\\ Worldly Wisdom (3:14-16)
*3:14* But if you have bitter jealousy and selfishness in your hearts, do not boast and tell lies against the truth.
*3:15* Such wisdom does not come from above but is earthly, natural, demonic.
*3:16* For where there is jealousy and selfishness, there is disorder and every evil practice.
· These verses describe the type of wisdom that is found in this world.
· It is a type of wisdom that in the end is really no wisdom at all for it only brings destruction and strife.
· In verse 14 we find several characteristics of worldly wisdom that are in stark contrast to being gentle.
· He states that worldly wisdom is bitter jealousy.
· This type of wisdom always compares itself to others instead of the ultimate standard; God.
· This wisdom wants to compete with others, is not satisfied or content.
· It holds grudges against those that it envies.
· The actual word in the greek is translated ‘zeal’.
It has the idea of having an intense feeling over another’s achievements or success.
· Normally the word ‘zeal’ would be a neutral word but by adding the word ‘bitter’ James depicts a state of mind that is only self interested.
· God is described as being jealous through out scripture.
He has a zeal or intense interest in his creation that they would worship and obey him.
· The zeal that comes from worldly wisdom does not seek to worship God but to please themselves.
· James describes worldly wisdom as being selfish.
This type of wisdom is completely self-seeking, it does not want to obey God or glorify his name but wants to do what pleases itself.
It causes division and strife because it does not work for the betterment of others but does only what satisfies itself.
· Those who possess this worldly wisdom boast about their true spiritual condition.
· From their heart through their actions and words they reveal that their aim is to compete against others, elevate their name instead of Christ and do what pleases them.
· This wisdom reveals that they are liars who may claim wisdom but actually speak against true wisdom that is characterized by gentleness.
· Those who are in the Christian community claiming wisdom and boasting are not of God because their lives are not marked by humility.
· In verse 15 James describes the source of such wisdom.
· He says that it does not come from above-another words Heaven.
· Its roots are not from God who is the author of all wisdom and all truth.
· He says that it is earthly, it is concerned with immediate pleasure and success rather than being concerned with what God would want.
It is inferior and does not measure up to wisdom from above.
· This type of wisdom, earthly wisdom meets its end in destruction.
Phil.
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