Giving
Welcome to Refinery Life Australia.
This week we continue our series from the book of James titled The practical Expression of Our Faith in Daily Living.
Today we are talking about Who Is Wise?
Text
James 3:13 AMP
Wisdom from Above
13 Who among you is wise and intelligent? Let him by his good conduct show his [good] deeds with the gentleness and humility of true wisdom.
Scripture Reading
James 3:13-18 (AMP)
Wisdom from Above
13 Who among you is wise and intelligent? Let him by his good conduct show his [good] deeds with the gentleness and humility of true wisdom.
14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not be arrogant, and [as a result] be in defiance of the truth.
15 This [superficial] wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly (secular), natural (unspiritual), even demonic.
16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder [unrest, rebellion] and every evil thing and morally degrading practice.
17 But the wisdom from above is first pure [morally and spiritually undefiled], then peace-loving [courteous, considerate], gentle, reasonable [and willing to listen], full of compassion and good fruits. It is unwavering, without [self-righteous] hypocrisy [and self-serving guile].
18 And the seed whose fruit is righteousness (spiritual maturity) is sown in peace by those who make peace [by actively encouraging goodwill between individuals].
Prayer
In Jesus name we pray.
Amen.
Introduction
In James 3:13 James seemed to change his subject.
The first twelve verses of this chapter are devoted to the tongue.
Now he turned top the subject of wisdom.
In these six verses, he approached his subject from three perspectives.
First, he discussed the proof of wisdom, then he dealt with false wisdom, and finally, he concluded with a declaration of the essence of true wisdom.
- The proof of wisdom.
- “Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you?”
Perhaps two of the most sought after qualities of human life are wisdom and knowledge.
Judging from the verses that follow, James seemed to mean that the wise person is the one who possesses true knowledge of things both human and divine, “endued with knowledge” speaks of one who is able to apply that knowledge to the practical details of life.
B. Understand that wisdom is not something aquired, but rather given by God, James put forth a challenge to those who feel that have both wisdom and knowledge.
“Let him show out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.”
James was saying , “Prove your wisdom!”
How can we do this?
By seeing to it that our life matches our profession of faith.
C. How are we to do this?
“With meekness of wisdom,” or as the NIV translates it, “By deeds done in humility that comes from wisdom.”
The beautiful thought James put forth here is that meekness, or humility, is to be the natural accompaniment of wisdom.
Where there is no meekness or humility, there is no wisdom.
2. False wisdom, which does not have its origin with God.
- James said that it “is first pure.”
That is, it is undefiled, it is free from the self interest that characterises false wisdom.
By “first pure,” James meant that true wisdom is above all else pure.
He continued by saying that heavenly wisdom is “peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated.”
Worldly wisdom produces contention and strife.
True wisdom is “peaceable.”
It delights in promoting and making peace.
It is reasonable, forbearing, and courteous, and it does not always insist on its own rights.
True wisdom is compliant, conciliatory, willing to yield yet without compromise to evil.
B. Then James said that heavenly wisdom is “full of mercy and good fruits.”
The word “mercy” speaks of compassion and pity shown toward those who are miserable and in need.
It is a characteristic of God Himself.
Finally, James said that true wisdom is “without partiality, and without hypocrisy.”
It is without prejudice and does not show respect of persons.
It make no distinctions.
It is genuine, sincere, and unpretentious.
C. Verse 18 says, And the seed whose fruit is righteousness (spiritual maturity) is sown in peace by those who make peace [by actively encouraging goodwill between individuals].
One of the characteristics of a wise Christian is righteousness.
Being righteous involves growth.
If we are to bear visible fruits of righteousness before the world, we have to grow from the seed stage.
Conclusion.
What kind of wisdom characterises your life?
Is it a false wisdom that is selfish, ego centred, and inconsiderate toward others?
Or is it a wisdom existing on you because Jesus Christ, the essence of true wisdom, lives in you?
Seek wisdom that is born of God.
Until next time
Stay in the Blessings
I really want to encourage you to be diligent with your Bible study time, because God has so much more for us than we can get from just going to church once or twice a week and hearing someone else talk about the Word.
When you spend time with God, your life will change in amazing ways, because God is a Redeemer.
Theres nothing thats too hard for Him, and He can make you whole, spirit, soul and body!
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