James Part 3

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 begins to show us these spiritually mature characteristics.

He starts with wisdom.

Everyone wants wisdom right?

Story of Wren

James tells us that there are two kinds of wisdom.

Wisdom done with bitter envy and selfish ambition

And wisdom that comes from heaven

Worldly Wisdom

What is wisdom?

A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, 3rd ed. σοφία

the capacity to understand and function accordingly

It is knowledge and understanding put into action.

We are all seeking wisdom. Look at the world around us right now. Don’t you want wisdom on how to navigate through our current climate.

But what kind of wisdom are we seeking and maybe more importantly why are we seeking it?

James 3:14 NIV

14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.

When James wrote this there were teachers of this day in the church that were arguing.

James calls out what they are doing. He says first that you have bitter envy.

Now they probably would have called what they were doing - zeal. Which means enthusiasm or passion.

Zeal is a neutral emotion. The use of it is what determines its quality.

We sing a song about our zeal for God. When we speak of our passion and love for God it is good.

But the teachers of this day were using there passion to disguise their envy.

How many times have we disguised our wrongful wisdom behind passion?

He also says that they had selfish ambition. This phrase can be translated into “party spirit.”

It paints the picture of doing whatever is necessary to keep people on your side.

So this wisdom is designed to separate and divide rather than unite.

Now they would have probably said “Im keeping my group pure or i’m protecting my people.”

But it was selfish ambition on disguise.

Here is what James calls that kind of wisdom

James 3:15 NIV

15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.

This type of wisdom is earthly meaning it is inferior = there is something better

This type of wisdom is unspiritual meaning it is not inspired = it is a wisdom for self and of self

This type of wisdom is demonic showing its origin = not of God

James 3:16 NIV

16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.

Now is all earthly wisdom this way? no!

Can you learn things from unbiblical sources? yes!

But here is the reality:

Worldly wisdom is at best, incomplete.

If you wanted to learn how to be a better parent there are lots of good resources out there that are not biblically based.

Spouse, leader, entrepreneur, student, etc.

James isn’t telling us that wordly wisdom is dumb he’s telling us it is incomplete

Those things will teach you good things but even at it’s best it’s incomplete.

Worldly wisdom is usually about self and typically has a hook.

It is internally reasoned

It will always lead us searching.

The reason we know that worldly wisdom is incomplete is because of what he says about Godly wisdom

Godly Wisdom

But rather than just list what Godly wisdom is James puts an emphasis on what wisdom does.

James does not view wisdom as a series of correct statements, but as a quality that motivates certain kinds of behaviour.

James 3:17–18 NIV

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.

First we see that this wisdom comes from heaven so from earlier in James we can deduce that it is good and perfect.

James 1:17 NIV

17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

Pure

It’s a wisdom that is free from any stain or blemish. It is incapable of producing evil. It is for the interest of the other(s). It is not selfish.

It is a wisdom that has no ulterior motive. It is wisdom done for the benefit of the other. (Agape)

Peace-loving

Free from anxiety and inner turmoil

It’s not a wisdom that has to win. We are not wise so that we can win arguments. We choose wisdom to ease anxiety.

Considerate

Careful

Wisdom is slow

James 1:19 NIV

19 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,

It is not abrupt. It’s not harsh or angry. It’s kind and loving

Submissive

open to reason or willing to listen

This isn’t being weak or gullible but being able to say that I may be wrong on certain topics

Full of mercy and good fruit

Pity or compassion

We see that if we are submissive, able to admit we may be wrong, then we must respond the way we would want to be responded to.

He adds good fruits to the end to once again stress the action behind the thinking

Impartial and sincere

Shows no prejudice

We don’t get to choose who we practice this on.

Revelation 5:8–10 NIV

8 And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people. 9 And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation. 10 You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.”

And we do it with a sincere heart

In a society that tends to elevate intelligence and cleverness, believers need to understand that these values are truly uniting and enduring

Wrap up:

James 3:18 NIV

18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.

This statement is like a proverb

Some scholars believe James may have gotten this saying from Jesus.

Matthew 5:9 NIV

9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

So if we see it in this light we see that peacemakers who sow peace are called the children of God

They are called children of God because they look like the Father

To look like the Father is harvesting righteousness

Righteousness is the act of doing what God requires or doing what is right.

So if we choose not to be wise or choose not to sow peace then we are choosing not to do what is right in God’s eyes and are choosing not to be made right in God’s eyes and when we choose that we ourselves get no peace.

In other words: when we choose worldly wisdom we get no peace. When we choose Godly wisdom, which is peace, we get peace.

Worldly wisdom offers direction but not rest. Godly wisdom gives direction and peace.

Matthew 11:28–29 NIV

28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

So the next time we choose to do something ask these questions..

Am I being wise?

Is this the wise thing to do/say/post?

Why am I being wise?

Am I doing it for me?

Am I doing it to prove something or win someone over?

Am I doing it to bring life and peace?

How am I being wise?

Is it done in a way that says I’m right no matter what?

Is it done to really find the truth?

Is it done in a way that is considerate of the other(s)?

What does my wisdom look like?

Is my wisdom seen in action?

Am I just able to say the right things or am I actually doing the right things?

Does it look like_______ or does it look like Jesus?

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