5 Wise Faith
Put On Your Grown-Up Faith • Sermon • Submitted
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· 52 viewsBig Idea: Mature faith is self-controlled, wise, and peacemaking
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Introduction
Introduction
James writing a letter to the Jewish believers who were scattered because of the persecution in Jerusalem.
James brings together in Chapter 3 several things he already taught.
Turn to James 3
quick to hear, slow to speak
think religious but don’t bridle tongue, religion is worthless.
faith with action is life
James just finished talking about showing we have faith by the way we live and serve. Now he gives two examples of living out faith practically in matching words and wisdom with good deeds.
Talking about the difference between true heart transformation and simple behavior modification
Read
1 Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. 2 We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.
3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4 Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. 5 Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. 11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12 My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.
James 3:1-18
Should I teach?
Should I teach?
Should I teach?
Should I teach?
1 Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.
Should I teach?
not many should teach. More strictly judged.
not many should teach. More strictly judged.
higher standard – more risky. Sounds like a huge deterrent to teaching.
2 We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.
Key is verse 2 we know that we quickly fall to temptations.
Key is verse 2 we know that we quickly fall to temptations.
The one who does not blast off at the mouth, who is able to control his tongue/mouth/speech is really complete/mature/full of faith.
Jesus taught – not what goes into your mouth that defiles you but what comes out, because it comes from the heart.
verses 3-4 together - James gives pairs of examples. comparisons.
v.3 horse and bit/bridle example
v.4 ship and rudder example
Summary of first section – Should I teach?
Am I mature enough that I live what I teach?
Are my actions consistent with my words?
not just actions, but heart attitudes, thought life,
James explains the significance of actions and speech alignment
Bridled Faith
Bridled Faith
James explains the significance of actions and speech alignment
5 Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.
v.5 the tongue is a controller that turns the body (or life of the body) wherever the driver wants to go.
v.5 the tongue is a controller that turns the body (or life of the body) wherever the driver wants to go.
huge forest burned by the little flame that sets it ablaze
verse 6 is unbelievably strong, harsh, graphic...
6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
vv.5-6 tongue is a fire, corrupts/destroys, changes the course of life
vv.5-6 comparison - tongue is a fire, corrupts/destroys,
A world of evil
changes the course of life - turns your whole life into a major dumpster fire.
Source! - set on fire by hell itself
Now James moves to another pair of comparisons
v.7 wild animals. man has been able to tame wild animals.
8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
So, the source of the problem with the tongue is hell itself and no man has the ability to tame it.
James is saying – if we are the driver (or more appropriately the enemy is the driver) we ourselves cannot adequately control our tongues, our mouths, our speech.
So, he’s saying – if we are the driver (or more appropriately the enemy is the driver) we ourselves cannot adequately control our tongues, our mouths, our speech.
We need the control of the driver who can make the tongue direct the life of the body in the right direction.
Double minded and double tongued
9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness.
Double minded and double tongued
vv.9-10 double tongued = praise and cursing from the same source
vv.9-10 double tongued = praise and cursing from the same source
10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.
Adamant – this should not be.
Adamant – this should not be.
Point - Praising God is inconsistent with cursing the image of God in others.
Another pair of comparisons
Examples: how do we talk about or talk to
drivers in traffic
bosses and teachers
politicians
criminals and others who break the law
terrorists
What is our first reaction? Maturity and humility leads us to understand the source, pray for the person, pray against the enemy’s influence in them.
vv.11-12 Just as fresh and salty, sweet and sour are not consistent or compatible from the same source.
The result is not different from the source and purpose.
Summarizing this section = James is saying - Many of you should not teach yet because you need to develop the maturity of consistency in talk and walk.
Summarizing this section = James is saying - Many of you should not teach yet because you need to develop the maturity of consistency in talk and walk.
Teachers are held to a higher standard BECAUSE it takes maturity to lead in the right direction. because there is the potential to lead so many astray.
Now James gives indicators and sources of this maturity
Two sources of wisdom
Two sources of wisdom
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.
v.13 Wise? Prove it.
Wise? Prove it.
James is always looking for proof – Show it
By good life, by deeds performed with a humble attitude
The humble attitude is a development or outworking of wisdom
Earthly wisdom
14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.
v.14 Contrast – opposite of humble good works is selfish ambition, bitter envy. Never satisfied, always looking for more or for mine.
Contrast – opposite of humble good works is selfish ambition, bitter envy. Never satisfied, always looking for more or for mine.
Where are envy and selfishness? In the heart.
Even if the outworking of those is not evident – do not deny that reality, your inner attitudes, thought life, world view
Do not brag that you are wise if the heart is self-centered.
15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.
v.15 bragging is about wisdom that is only man’s wisdom
bragging is about wisdom that is only man’s wisdom
not from heaven = not from God. Not godly wisdom
Not only is it not godly wisdom = earthly, unspiritual, demonic.
Again with the real source = Yes, those attitudes are based in the influence of the enemy.
16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
Envy and selfish ambition are signs of chaos and evil behavior “every”
Envy and selfish ambition are signs of disorder, chaos and evil behavior “every”
33 For God is not a God of disorder but of peace—as in all the congregations of the Lord’s people.
Now James gives the contrast to earthly wisdom, selfishness, and chaos:
Not God of chaos – creative, order
Godly wisdom
17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.
v.17 But… contrast
But… contrast
Godly wisdom = fruit of the spirit, basically
Opposites of the ungodly characteristics
Not selfish, not aggressive, concern for others
Listed in Greek with alliterative beginnings to help them remember the list
First of all – pure. Complete. Without defect. Perfect as in v.2
Peace-loving, considerate, submissive
Mercy – remember mercy triumphs over judgment
Good fruit – parables talked about the fruit of good works coming from the heart
Impartial – remember do not show favoritism
Sincere, genuine, honest
Again, the contrast between earthly wisdom and godly wisdom
Examples: how do we talk about or talk to
drivers in traffic
bosses and teachers
politicians
selfishness and chaos vs. genuine concern for others and peace.
criminals and others who break the law
33 For God is not a God of disorder but of peace—as in all the congregations of the Lord’s people.
terrorists
What is our first reaction? Maturity and humility leads us to understand the source, pray for the person, pray against the enemy’s influence in them.
Plant Peace
Plant Peace
18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.
v.18 Godly wisdom means that you are striving for peace and humility.
Godly wisdom means that you are striving for peace and humility.
17 The fruit of that righteousness will be peace;
its effect will be quietness and confidence forever.
Those who remove chaos and bring Godly peace –
Those who remove chaos and bring Godly peace –
The fruit/harvest of planting peace is more peace.
Righteousness = the right living God requires.
Conclusion
Big Idea: Mature faith is self-controlled, wise, and peacemaking.
Big Idea: Mature faith is self-controlled, wise, and peacemaking.
Big Idea: Mature faith is self-controlled, wise, and peacemaking.
Big Idea: Mature faith is self-controlled, wise, and peacemaking.
Should we teach?
Should we teach?
Is my heart truly transformed?
Am I mature enough that I teach the truth? based on Royal Law - love God, love others. Not just teaching rules, right/wrong, or behavior modification
Am I mature enough that I live what I teach? not just actions, but heart attitudes, thought life
Until you are mature enough to live out your faith from a transformed heart, you should not teach. Grow and develop a solid footing in the Gospel first. You are held accountable for what you teach and you don’t want to be teaching error or modeling bad habits.
not just actions, but heart attitudes, thought life,
James uses the tongue as a physical, practical representative of forms of expression coming from the heart. Could also be writing. texts. Social Media posts/comments. etc.
Examples: how do we talk about or talk to
drivers in traffic
bosses and teachers
politicians
criminals and others who break the law
terrorists
What is our first reaction? Maturity and humility lead us to understand the source, pray for the person, pray against the enemy’s influence in them.
To plant peace in every situation as much as is possible with us.Grow in faith to maturity. Walk the talk.
How do we grow to maturity in our faith?
Match faith with action. Begin an ongoing process where you Learn a little and apply it right away and you have a couple brothers or sisters to help you do that.
What About You?
What About You?