The Book of James Chapter 3:13-18
James 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. [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.
Knowledge
is expanding every day. More college graduates today than any generation
The text books written today and current encyclopedias
are behind the times
We travel faster and further than any previous generation
Buy a computer and in a month the technology is outdates
With all of this accumulation of knowledge, wisdom is
practically non-existent
Lives are in shambles Position,
Power & Prosperity have not brought Peace, Poise and Purpose
Knowledge
(intelligence) is the accumulation of facts (Knowledge can be good- but
knowledge puffeth up)
We should
study to show thyself approved unto God
Wisdom
(insight) is the right use of knowledge. It is the ability to take facts &
apply it to situations
Man
running in subway said “if we can catch that train we will save 3 minutes”
His
friend replied “Yes, but what significant thing will we do with the 3 minutes
we save?”
Knowledge
(intelligence) may leave God out, BUT wisdom (insight) will places God in the
midst
What
we need is wisdom. James (3:15) contrasts wisdom from beneath with (3:17)
wisdom from above
Jn 8:23
[23]Ye
are from beneath; I am
from above : ye are of this
world; I am not of this world
Jn 3: 31
[31]
He that cometh from above
is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from
heaven is above all.
1. Contrast
in Sources
A. False Wisdom from below (earthly, sensual, devilish….. 3 enemies world,
flesh, devil)
1. Secular (15)
Measures
success by earthly terms
Tower
of Babel (ended in confusion)
Sauls
Armor for David (disaster) BUT Gods wisdom caused David to reject it
2. Sensual (15)
Things
that are natural, unspiritual
1 Cor 2:14
[14]
the natural man recieveth
not the things of the Spirit of God for they are foolishness unto him
Jude 19
[19]these be they that separate themselves, sensual, having not
the Spirit
Is 11:2
[2]the Spirit of the Lord………… is the spirit of wisdom
God
has given each a spiritual gift BUT it may be used in an unspiritual way
The
Church at Corinth most gifted 1 Cor 1:5 come behind
in no gift
The
Church at Corinth the most carnal (fighting, immorality, babes)
Gifts
are not evidence of spirituality or maturity
3. Satanic (15)
Satan
is the power behind the wisdom of this world
He
convinced, deceived Eve that she would be like God
She
thought the fruit she tasted would make her wise
The
theory of evolution and New Age Movement
B. True Wisdom from Above
1. Seek
Col 3:1
[1]
Seek those
things which are above
Col 2:3
[3]
Jesus Christ in whom are hid all the treasures of
wisdom & knowledge
James 1:5
[5]
if any man lack wisdom let him ask of God
2. Set
Col 3:2
[2]
Set your affection on things above
Wisdom
is not in education or experience BUT is a gift from God
Matt 11:29,30
[29] Take my yoke upon you, and learn
of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.[30] For my
yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
2. Contrast in Symptoms
A. The Marks of
False Wisdom from below
1. Envy (14)
Selfish
ambition (3:1- don’t be ambitious for offices in the church)
Some
cant bear the success or opportunities of others
FW
Roberson prayed “Lord, I would sooner that your work did not get done at all,
than done by
someone
who can do it better than me”
Do
you rejoice when others succeed or is there that
critical spirit?
2. Strife (14)
Contentious
Rivalry, selfish
ambition
A
politician who would do or say anything to get votes, to get ahead
3. Boasting (14)
Do
we report things in ways to give God the glory
OR
do we say it OR demonstrate it to get us the glory?
Phil 2:3
[3] Let nothing be done through strife
or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem
other
better
than themselves.
4. Deceit (14)
Lying. (Prov 6:16,17 – God hates a lying
tongue)
B. The Marks of True Wisdom from Above
1. Meekness (13)
Used
about a horse that is broken from its wildness and rebellion
The
Power of the horse was under control
2. Purity (17)
Free
from defilement
Dan 1:8 did not compromise Babylon did not change his heart
Dan 1:17 God gave him wisdom Dan 1:20 ten times greater
3. Peace (17)
Are
you constantly fighting or quarreling?
Rom 12:18
[18]
If it be possible as much as lieth in you live
peaceably with all men
SS 1:6
[6]
they made me the keeper of the vineyards but mine own
vineyard have I not kept
You
can lead others but what about your self
4. Gentle (17)
Are
you willing to make allowances without compromise?
Do
you try to see the best in people? Are you considerate?
5. Intreatable
(17)
Compliant,
willing to listen to reason
“My
mind is made up, don’t confuse me with the facts!”
Are
you headstrong, stubborn and unyielding?
6. Merciful (17)
Compassionate,
forgiving
Not
critical
7. Fruitful (17)
Kind
actions
Gal 5:22,23
[22] But the fruit of the Spirit is
love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
[23] Meekness, temperance: against such
there is no law.
8. Impartial (17)
Fair
to all (w/o special favors for 1 over another) (Treat with equality)
9. Sincere (17)
Without hypocrisy. Without a mask, It does not pretend,
counterfeit
Gods
wisdom is honest and open
3. Contrast
in Summary
A. The Product of False Wisdom from
below
Worldly
wisdom will produce worldly results. The wisdom of beneath produces trouble
1. Confusion (16)
Result
of envy (Self ambition), strife , boasting, deceit
Division
within the church, discord among the brethren
This
is not God’s work. God is not the author of confusion but of peace
2. Evil (16)
Worthless
of no account
A
ministry operating in the wisdom of the world may appear successful
BUT
it will burn at the judgment seat if it is done out of envy & strife
B. The Product of True Wisdom from Above
Spiritual
Wisdom will produce spiritual results. The wisdom of above produces Blessing
1. Righteousness (16)
Sown
in peace by them that make peace in a peaceable way
Possessing
heavenly wisdom is a life utterly pleasing to the Lord
Concl:
What is our need today? We need
wisdom! Wisdom from above
Anyone can gain knowledge, but only those that seek God
can gain wisdom (James
1:5)
James 1:17
[17]
every good and perfect gift is from above
Jn 8:23
[23]
Ye are from beneath; I am
from above : ye are of this
world; I am not of this world
Prov 4:7
[7]Wisdom
is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get
understanding.