James 3:13-18 - Temptations & Trials: Common To All But Especially Teachers
Introductio! n
Review of last week
1. Not many of you should become teachers, for teachers shall face a stricter judgment (3:1)
2. The tongue stumbles & sins often (3:2)
3. The tongue is a little member, boasting great things (3:3-5)
a. Two illustrations: Horses & Ships
b. The point: Control the tongue & the whole body is controlled
4. The tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity (3:5-6)
a. It defiles the whole body
b. It inflames the whole life
c. It has a source: Hell
5. The tongue is a restless evil (3:7-12)
a. It is the only creature uncontrolled
b. It cannot be tamed by man
c. It is unruly, restless
1) full of deadly poison
2) blessing God & cursing man
d. It should be controlled
1) Because its behavior is inconsistent
2) Because its behavior is contrary to our nature
THIS WEEKS OUTLINE
I. The Wise, & Understanding Person or Teacher
A. Shows good behavior
B. Shows meekness
II. The False Wisdom
A. Its description: Arouses envy, selfish ambition, pride, and inconsistency
B. Its source: Not of God, but of the earth, sensual & demonic
C. Its effects: Confusion & evil works
III. The True Wisdom
A. Its source: Of God
B. Its description: Pure…
Its effects: The fruit of righteousness
This week James want’s to address the temptation of…
MISUNDERSTANDING & TWISTING TRUE WISDOM, 3:13-18
Introduction:
What is wisdom true wisdom? Misunderstanding wisdom is a temptation to all men especially to teachers. Does our President have true wisdom? He says He is a Christian, does he practice what he preaches?
A. Wisdom—is the ability to judge correctly & to follow the best course of action, based on knowledge & understanding.
1. The apostle Paul declared that the message of the cross is foolishness to the Greeks and a stumbling block to the Jews. But to those who believe, said Paul, this “foolishness of God” is “the wisdom of God” 1COR. 1:18-25
2. Against the wisdom of God Paul contrasted…
a. 1 Corinthians 1:20; 3:19—the wisdom of this world
b. 1 Corinthians 2:4—human wisdom
c. 1 Corinthians 2:5—the wisdom of men
d. 1 Corinthians 2:6—the wisdom of this age
e. 1 Corinthians 2:13—mans wisdom
3. The Biblical Concept of Wisdom
a. People should humble themselves before God in reverence & worship, obedient to His commands.
4. The Old Testament Example of a “wise man”
a. 1 Kings 10:4, 6-8; 2 Chr. 1:7-12—King Solomon
b. 1 Kings 4:29-34—praises Solomon for his reputed wisdom
c. 1 Kings 11:1-13—points out how Solomon’s heart turned away from the Lord
Verse 13
I. The Wise, & Understanding Person or Teacher
Wise Man (sophos)—refers to the teacher, anyone who teaches the Word of God
Knowledge—refers to the expert, the skilled, the scientific, or knowledgeable person.
1. The Reason for this passage: to stir ministers and teachers to think about how wise knowledgeable they really are.
2. A wise and knowledgeable teacher will demonstrate two characteristics….they are….
A. Shows good behavior
Let him show—is one word in the Greek & it is emphatic, strongly emphasized. This means the wise teacher will strongly show forth these traits.
1. Wisdom is not just knowing facts and being a scholar, but have to do with how a person behaves & conducts himself—James 1:22
2. 1 Timothy 4:12—Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. (1 Timothy 4:12 NKJV)
Words From Our Great God & Savior Jesus Christ!
“Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: “and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. “But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: “and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.” (Matthew 7:24-27 NKJV) other related passages: Jn 7:17; 8:31-32; 17:3; Phil. 1:27; 1 Tim 3:7; 2 Tim 3:15; 1 Pet. 2:12; Hos. 14:9.
B. Shows meekness
Meekness (prauteti)—to be gentle, tender, humble, mild, considerate, power under constraint. Meekness has the power to control, and discipline, and it does so at the right time!
Meekness shows a…
1. Humble state of mind—he love people and peace, therefore, he walks humbly among men.
Associating with the poor does not bother the meek teacher
2. Strong state of mind—it looks at situations and wants justice to take place
If someone is suffering, meekness steps in and does what it can to help
3. Strong self-control—power under constraint.
He must control the lust of the flesh, temper, retaliation, passion, indulgence, dying to himself!
Meekness is the right use of power, & wisdom is the right use of knowledge-they go together.
Attitude and action go together!
Verse’ 14-16
II. The False Wisdom
A. The description of false wisdom: (v.14)
1. Arouses bitter envy & jealousy (v.14)
a. Some teachers, preachers, and ministers are envious of other’s ministries.
b. Even the Apostle argued over who was the greatest in the kingdom Mark 9:33-35.
c. When a teacher is teaching false doctrine or is living an unholy life he must be corrected.
d. After being corrected, he might become bitter against those who remain true to God’s Word.
Do we rejoice when others get promoted, or succeed?
Do we feel burdened when others fail, or are we glad?
e. 1 Cor. 13:4; Gal. 5:21; Phil. 1:15-17
2. Selfish ambition—Why do you want to become a teacher? (v.14)
a. To be seen by men, recognized as a leader of the church, or honored?
b. To show people how much you learned this week in studying the passage you are teaching?
c. What is it? Do you even go to the point of opposing the minister of God?
d. Or is it for the cause of Christ?
e. Phil. 2:3-4; 2 Tim. 2:24; Prov. 26:21
3. Pride—boasting (v.14)
a. This does not always mean from the mouth
b. More accurately is what a person feels in the heart, strutting like a peacock!
c. He focus’ upon himself and not others: Philippians 2:21
1) preaching a good sermon instead of reaching the lost for Christ
2) wanting to be seen by men
3) he has a job & gets a paycheck, therefore, he does not care about reaching those who are in need.
d. Matt. 23:12; Rom. 12:16; 1 Cor. 8:2; Gal. 6:3; Jas. 4:16; 1 Jn. 2:16; Pr. 11:2; 21:4; Is. 14:13-14
4. Inconsistency—a lie against the truth (v.14)
a. The false teacher is inconsistent with the Word of God.
1) he is living a lie and teaching a lie
b. The false teacher is inconsistent in what he teaches & does.
1) he teaches the truth but does not live it
c. Matt. 7:6, 21; Rom. 2:21-23; Titus 1:16; 1 Jn. 3:18; Ezk. 33:31-32
Verse 15
B. The source of false wisdom: (v.15)
1. Does not descend from above, but earthly (v.15)
a. It follows man’s nature, not God & His Word
b. It has people chasing after things of this world & not the things of God & His Word
c. It focus’ on life, here & now--& totally neglects life eternal
— “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? “Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? “For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels." (Mark 8:36-38 NKJV)
2. Sensual, that is natural & unspiritual (v.15)
a. It focus’ on man as a animal, satisfying the flesh, & neglect the spiritual
b. It denies life after death
3. Demonic (v.15)
a. Pride, self-ambition, bitterness, envy, strife, creating divisions,
C. The effects of false wisdom: (v.16)
1. Where envy and self-seeking exist, there is …(v.16)
a. Confusion in the…
1) Church
2) Families
…and every evil thing will be there.
2. Evil works (v.16)
a. People return to the worldly ways & forsake God & His Word
b. Theses are people who attach themselves to religious activities, ceremonies, and rituals
c. This kind of wisdom causes people to have an eternity separated from God!
Verse’ 17-18
III. The True Wisdom
A. Its source:
1. It is from above (v.17)
a. We need to seek God our Father & our Lord Jesus Christ “in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” Colossians 2:3.
B. Its description:
1. First pure (v.17)…to be pure from fault & defilement; moral purity; completely separated from impurity & wrongdoing & set apart unto God.
a. We must keep our bodies pure…
1) we must not damage our bodies by abusing it; smoking, drinking, drugs.
2) we must keep ourselves fit in order to get the maximum use out of our bodies.
b. We must keep our relationships pure
1) living a moral and just life
c. We must keep ourselves pure before God, having our relationship open unto Him.
d. 2 Cor. 7:1; Matt. 5:8
2. Peaceable (v.17)…to bind together, to join and weave together Col. 2:2
a. A wise teacher does all he can to make peace and keep peace, reconciling people to God.
b. Rom. 12:18; Heb. 12:14; 2 Pet. 3:14
3. Gentle (v.17)…the wise teacher is to be gentle and forbearing with others!
a. This person does not delibertately cause fights, but neithe does he compromise the truth in order to keep peace.
b. Eph. 4:2; Col. 3:13; 1 Thess. 2:7; 2 Tim 2:24; Titus 3:2
4. Willing to yield (v.17)…being willing to listen…willing to change when one is wrong, not stubborn.
a. Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not break.
b. This person can disagree without being disagreable.
1 Sam. 12:7; Is. 1:18; Rom. 12:1
5. Full of mercy (v.17)…to have feelings of pity, compassion, affection, & kindness.
Full to be controlled by—to be controlled by God’s mercy
In order to have mercy we must…
a. See a need and be able to meet that need
b. A teacher of wisdom is truly moved with compassion
c. Matt. 5:7; Lk. 6:36; 10:34; Mic. 6:8; Pr. 31:20
6. Full of good fruit’s (v.17)…actually reaches out & helps those who are in need.
a. He doesn’t just think about it, but does it - 1 John 3:18
b. He leads his students by example – James 1:22
c. Matt. 25:35-36; Gal. 5:22-23; 6:2, 10; Eph. 5:9; Titus 2:7; Heb. 10:24-25
7. Without partiality (v.17)…
a. A wise teacher shows no partiality or favoritism to anyone
1 Tim. 5:21; James 2:4; Lev. 19:15; Job 13:10;
b. A wise teacher knows the truth of God’s word & will not entertain false ideas or teachings
1 Cor. 2:2; 9:16; Gal. 1:7-11; Phil. 3:14
8. Without hypocrisy (v.17)…wearing a mask
The teacher of true wisdom does not…
a. claim to be a teacher and live an impure life
b. teach one thing and do another
c. live an undisciplined or complacent life
d. Titus 2:7-8; Phil. 1:9-10; 2 Cor. 2:17; 1 Cor. 1:12
Verse 18
C. Its effects:
Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
1. How is this righteousness brought about?
a. By making peace
b. Righteousness—is men & woman treating each other & God like they should
c. Fruit has the seeds for more fruit
d. Therefore, the fruit of this will be men and woman living & caring for each other like they should.
Two Examples: Genesis 13:1-18
1. There was strife – v.7
2. Abraham was trying to sow peace – v.8
3. Abraham gives Lot his choice – v.9
4. Lot lifted his eyes, v.10, & chose for himself v. 11
5. God told Abraham to lift his eyes v.14
6. God commanded Abraham to arise, & walk v.17
7. Abraham obeyed v.18
Chapter Review
A. This chapter could be entitled, “How to Win Friends and Influence People.”
1. Guard your tongue.
a. Bring your tongue under control. Use it for good. Use it to encourage. Use it to build up. Don't use it to tear down, to destroy, to cut, and to hurt.
2. Let your wisdom be Godly wisdom. Let it be demonstrated in your manner of life, let it be pure. Let your life be peaceable, merciful.
3. For to get this fruits of righteousness that we desire we must sow peace and that fruit of righteousness will come. It's sown in peace of them that make peace.
4. So seek to live in peace with each other. Make peace with those your flesh would like to rattle, or get even with, or criticize. Do this and the fruit of righteousness will come forth.
— “may you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation – those good things that are produced in your life by Jesus Christ—for this will bring much praise and glory to God.”