Living Out Our Faith Skillfully - James 3:15
Notes
Transcript
Sermon Tone Analysis
A
D
F
J
S
Emotion
A
C
T
Language
O
C
E
A
E
Social
Introduction
Introduction
Verse 15 is our verse of study for this evening. Open your Bibles to James 3:15. The men are handing out my worksheet. While they are doing that, let’s read the entire paragraph, and then we will come back to our verse.
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. 14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. 15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. 16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. 17 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. 18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.
Now let’s go back to verse 15 which says:
15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
This is a short verse but one full of truth. So let’s look at it grammatically and then we will make some spiritual application.
Grammar
Grammar
This verse contains one noun, one verb, one adverb, and three adjectives.
The verb is “descendeth.” It means to move downward and lower. In Scripture, it is used both literally and figuratively. It is also used for both physical and abstract things.
The noun is also our subject. It is the word “wisdom.” We have studied this word multiple times. It means having the necessary knowledge, skill, and experience to master a particular subject or trade through much practice and training. This specific “wisdom” does not come from above in our text. Coming from above is an apparent reference to Heaven and, thus, from God. It is also a reference back to verse 14. Verse 14 speaks of bitter envying, strife, self-glory, and lies against the truth. All of which are characteristics of men’s sinful nature. We can safely surmise that this brand of “wisdom” is the wisdom of men or the world’s wisdom. It is most assuredly not wisdom that comes from God.
The adverb in this verse is “from above.” It tells us from where this wisdom did not descend.
There is one conjunction. It is the word “but” offering a contrast. However, this wisdom is not from above; it is earthly, sensual, and devilish.
The word “earthly” means to belong or have the traits of this earth as opposed to Heaven.
I want to stop and dwell for a moment on the word “sensual.”
In your worksheet, you see that I have it defined as “governed by the soul.” That description, unfortunately, is a little vague. The Greek word used here rarely occurs in the New Testament. We only find it 6 times. In our English Bibles, it is translated as “sensual” (2 times)(here in our text) and “natural. (4 times)” Thus its use refers to men and women in their natural, unspiritual state. A state that is animated by the soul. This natural condition of men is contrasted with the spiritual. Spiritual life can only be animated by the Holy Spirit. A “sensual” or “natural” person is one whose life is out of touch with God. Note Scripture’s description in 1 Corinthians 2:14.
14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
Scripture also uses this same word (sensual, natural) to contrast a spiritually resurrected body with the natural body in 1 Corinthians 15:44, 46.
44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. 45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. 46 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.
Therefore, this word in James describes man’s wisdom as being wisdom inherited from sinful men. It is a wisdom that comes naturally to man because it originates from his sinful nature.
The third adjective is the word “devilish.” Our text is the only place in the New Testament where you find this word. It literally means demonic. Thus, the wisdom of this world is driven by Satan. It stands in open rebellion to God. Man’s wisdom opposes God at every turn.
Spiritual Application
Spiritual Application
So let’s take what we have already discovered and see what God wants us to know.
What is the Holy Spirit talking about?
What is the Holy Spirit talking about?
As we already know, He is talking about wisdom.
What is the Holy Spirit saying about wisdom?
What is the Holy Spirit saying about wisdom?
He notes a vast difference between God’s wisdom and man’s wisdom. In this verse, the Holy Spirit describes the essence of man’s wisdom.
As we consider verse 15, don’t forget the overall context. The Holy Spirit started with our words and now moves to wisdom. And in verse 1 of this chapter, we begin with those who desire to teach. There are two dangers defined by God when teaching His Word. The first danger is our tongue. We must be careful to let God’s Word and His Spirit do our teaching for us. We are NOT to teach without first submitting to His authority in our lives. The second danger is man’s wisdom. That is the danger under consideration in this verse. The issue is this. False teaching is the product of using the wrong wisdom. Thus, the warning from God is not to use our wisdom as the foundation of our teaching. Instead, we are to use His wisdom which comes from His Word.
The Holy Spirit lists here four attributes of man’s wisdom as proof it should not be used. Here is the first.
Man’s Wisdom is Earthly and Not of God
Man’s Wisdom is Earthly and Not of God
James 3:15 (KJV 1900)
15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
What I mean by ungodly is this. It is not of God. Man’s wisdom is centered and focused upon the things of earth. Stop and think about it for a moment. Is there anything taught outside the local church and God’s word that is not centered upon self? Every philosophy and teaching of men focus on pleasing self.
Let me give a few examples.
One philosophy of men today teaches a primal view of man. Essentially, their wisdom says men are driven by their instincts to pursue gratification. Thus, men will do whatever they must to obtain and keep what satisfies them. This philosophy, by the way, in a certain sense is true. However, their wisdom says it is okay. They encourage following your instincts so that you may liberate yourself from all that encumbers you. It is wisdom focused on this earth and nothing more. Here is a philosophy utterly contrary to God. It is not of God.
3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
Another philosophy of man takes a more mental approach. For them, it is all about behavior. We are who we are because we are conditioned or programmed. If you were raised under the wrong influences or conditions, you are a victim of those circumstances. You need to be “reprogrammed.” The term “improve your self” is used quite frequently. We see this a lot in the “woke” mentality sweeping through America currently. This wisdom is not from God as well. It goes against God’s Word. Man can only improve by being in Christ.
4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. 5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
The third philosophy of man focuses on positive thinking. It teaches that man is intrinsically good. Teaching that definitely defies the Bible. Everything within this philosophy is about elevating self. People are encouraged to tap into their inner potential and goodness. It is contrary to God’s wisdom.
9 Surely men of low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a lie: To be laid in the balance, they are altogether lighter than vanity.
I am sure there are many more that we haven’t touched on this evening. However, my point is simply this. Each of these philosophies is solely focused on the here and now. They make man’s pride and ego the center of all things. True wisdom is the wisdom that comes from above. It does not come from within men. It is the only true wisdom in the world because it is wisdom from above. If you genuinely want to be wise, you must turn to the truth of Scripture.
We must never forget this vital point as believers and, especially, as teachers. False wisdom and teaching focus only upon the things of this world. It neglects the wisdom from above.
Man’s Wisdom is Sensual
Man’s Wisdom is Sensual
James 3:15 (KJV 1900)
15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
Now, for this point, remember our discussion about the word “sensual.” It essentially is a reference to man in his original sinful condition. One Bible Commentary put it this way:
Hebrews-James (King James Version) B. Temptation 2: Misunderstanding and Twisting True Wisdom, 3:13–18
They are of man himself, and they focus upon man as an animal and neglect the fact that he is a spiritual being. They concentrate upon man as a physical and mental being. They stress humanism, education, technology, science, health, comfort, and peace. They tend toward bettering man’s life on earth and ignore and neglect and deny that man is spirit. They have no belief or at most a hazy belief in life after this world.
It is why we end up with foolish ideas like evolution or the big bang theory. Men are always relying upon their own understanding. Note what Scripture says about those who trust in their own heart.
1 The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: There is none that doeth good.
22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
As we consider the context of this verse, we must be wary of those who come into our midst promoting men’s ideas instead of God’s Word. Anytime someone emphasizes the goodness of man, it should be a red flag to all of us. The only thing that should ever come from this pulpit or any teacher within our church is the teaching of God’s Word. Nothing else is to be tolerated.
Man’s Wisdom is Devilish
Man’s Wisdom is Devilish
James 3:15 (KJV 1900)
15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
Any teaching that emphasizes man’s wisdom is encouraged by Satan. Without a doubt, sinful traits such as pride, selfishness, bitterness, strife, envying, division, and false teachings are not of God. These are directly linked to Satan, the father of all lies.
44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
For this reason, we must understand that before our salvation we lived according to the prince of the power of the air. His spirit is a “spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience.” However, praise God:
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
However, the warning is this. As believers, we are still susceptible to sin. We are still vulnerable to the attacks of Satan. For this reason, the Holy Spirit warns us about relying on man’s wisdom as the foundation of our teaching. Doing so always leads us back to the father of lies. It gives him an inroad allowing him to seed pride, selfishness, bitterness, etc. Remember the warning from 1 Peter, which say:
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
When it comes to the arena of teaching others, we “resist stedfast in the faith” by preaching and teaching only God’s Word. Anytime we veer from the truth of God’s Word, it opens wide the door for self, sin, and Satan. It is no wonder then that the Holy Spirit stressed here the distinction between God’s wisdom and man’s wisdom.
Conclusion
Conclusion
What have we learned this evening? We discovered a vast difference between man’s wisdom and God’s wisdom. We will find out more about God’s wisdom when we arrive at verse 17. However, for tonight, the Holy Spirit made plain the characteristics of man’s wisdom. Man’s wisdom is sensual, always pointing to the false idea of man’s goodness. It is not of God but is earthly. It comes from within man’s sinful and wicked heart.
Additionally, man’s wisdom is devilish. Satan constantly promotes and encourages it; he is the father of all lies. Thus, teaching man’s wisdom must be avoided at all costs.