The Battle for the Mind 2
Notes
Transcript
Tug-of-war - Football/soccer practise - I was one of the first to be picked! Yeah!
It had rained that day - field was yet
The rope was set with a flag in the middle
The other side found a drier part of the field, but our side was wet and muddy - we lost our footing and I remember sliding all the way across the line
The battle for the mind during this lockdown
So much has happened and I feel like my mind is in the middle of a rope being used for tug-of-war
What do I think about this? How should we approach this? What about that circumstance?
My mind and thoughts want to go so many directions at this time
There is battle that rages in each of us for our mind. Satan wants our minds to be filled with his wisdom, and God wants us to operate with heavenly wisdom.
The tug-of-war is constant and wages daily in our minds.
Holly - This situation is not something anyone of us can escape from. It’s always there weighing on our minds.
The test for the source of wisdom
The test for the source of wisdom
James moves from our words to wisdom. These 2 concepts are kindred to one another.
Unsaved man holding his tongue from cursing and obscenity when his employer, who will not tolerate that language or behaviour, is present. He will use wisdom that is self-focused upon the preservation of his job to hold his tongue.
Godly wisdom
Jam 3:13
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.
James grew up watching Jesus. Looking back, he recognised that Jesus, even as child, walked in such a manner that His wisdom was obvious.
Luke 2:40
And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.
Luke 2:52
And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.
Jesus, God Himself, is filled with all knowledge.
Col 1:17
And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
How did God display perfect wisdom?
Jam 3:13b
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.
Conversation - anastrophe - on-a-stro-fay - conduct n. — manner of acting or controlling yourself.
Meekness - gentleness n. — acting in a manner that is gentle, mild, and even-tempered
Same word we find in:
James 1:21
Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
Just as we are to gently and humbly receive the Word of God; a Godly, wise person will demonstrate a gentle, mild, and even-tempered life
As James reflected upon the perfection of words that were spoken from his Saviour, his brother, Jesus Christ; the characteristics of Jesus were demonstrated in meekness of wisdom.
Wisdom greater than Solomon’s walked among men in meekness.
Devilish Wisdom
Jam 3:14
But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.
Picking the engagement ring out for Holly - I wanted to see the clarity, the cut, and the colour
As the jeweler showed me the diamond he put it on a dark soft cloth to bring out the luster and details of the diamond
This is what James is doing - he reveals the diamond of Godly wisdom and now puts it front of the darkness of devilish wisdom
Bitter envying
Bitter - Pikros - Pik-rose - bitter (hostility) adj. — proceeding from or exhibiting great hostility or animosity.
Envying - zelos - zea-lose - jealousy n. — a greedy or prideful longing for something that belongs to another; even something intangible, such as a skill.
Looking towards a wiser, more gifted, and more successful brother is the very opposite of Godly wisdom.
Why am I not like that, do that, or have that?
Strife
selfish ambition n. — a strong drive for personal success without moral inhibitions.
Phil 1:16
The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds:
Phil 2:3
Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
Rivalry that promotes self - this leads to factions and division
Acts 6:1-6
And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.
The solution was to appoint godly, gracious, and gifted men to help meet the needs of the widows in the church.
Glory not
to boast over v. — to boast of one’s achievements over and against someone or something else.
Party spirit and promoted themselves and the factions that they now made
Let’s celebrate what we have made of ourselves and our accomplishments
Lie not against the truth
John Philipps “Wisdom never parts company with truth.”
Using lies, half-truths, and trickery to produce quick results
These are often counter-productive as they tend to come home to roost
An Amalekite:
2 Sam 1:6-10
And the young man that told him said, As I happened by chance upon mount Gilboa, behold, Saul leaned upon his spear; and, lo, the chariots and horsemen followed hard after him. And when he looked behind him, he saw me, and called unto me. And I answered, Here am I. And he said unto me, Who art thou? And I answered him, I am an Amalekite. He said unto me again, Stand, I pray thee, upon me, and slay me: for anguish is come upon me, because my life is yet whole in me. So I stood upon him, and slew him, because I was sure that he could not live after that he was fallen: and I took the crown that was upon his head, and the bracelet that was on his arm, and have brought them hither unto my lord.
I killed Saul because of mercy
But wait - How did Saul die?
1 Sam 31:4-6
Then said Saul unto his armourbearer, Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith; lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and abuse me. But his armourbearer would not; for he was sore afraid. Therefore Saul took a sword, and fell upon it. And when his armourbearer saw that Saul was dead, he fell likewise upon his sword, and died with him. So Saul died, and his three sons, and his armourbearer, and all his men, that same day together.
The result of catching this man in his lie to gain favour with David:
2 Sam 1:14
And David said unto him, How wast thou not afraid to stretch forth thine hand to destroy the Lord’s anointed?
2 Sam 1:16
And David said unto him, Thy blood be upon thy head; for thy mouth hath testified against thee, saying, I have slain the Lord’s anointed.