Testing Wisdom - James 3:13-18
James - Essential Wisdom • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Recap of James: Testing matures, reveals, and reinforces real faith (loyalty, allegiance, embodied trust).
Recap of James: Testing matures, reveals, and reinforces real faith (loyalty, allegiance, embodied trust).
A test reveals what is hidden. Your Faith must be tested.
1. Test of obeying God’s word
2. Test of hospitality
3. Test of good works
4. Test of the tongue
5. Test of Godly Wisdom & Godly Influence
James 3:13–18 (CSB) — 13 Who among you is wise and understanding? By his good conduct he should show that his works are done in the gentleness that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your heart, don’t boast and deny the truth. 15 Such wisdom does not come down from above but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there is disorder and every evil practice. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without pretense. 18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who cultivate peace.
James 3:13–18 (CSB) — 13 Who among you is wise and understanding? By his good conduct he should show that his works are done in the gentleness that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your heart, don’t boast and deny the truth. 15 Such wisdom does not come down from above but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there is disorder and every evil practice. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without pretense. 18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who cultivate peace.
Godly Wisdom vs Worldly Wisdom
Godly Wisdom vs Worldly Wisdom
Much false teaching occuring. we use our tongue to destruct and divide the church.
not many should teach: (1) strict judgment on those who influence people, especially on spiritual matters (2) comparison of other leads to criticism from our mouth.
this is also why I tend to avoid being critical of other pastors…my job is less about correcting what they say, and more about teaching you correctly.
the first part of this chapter was about how our tongue influences us; now we’re seeing how our tongues influence others.
The tongue is the chief tool of the teacher, so that is where James begins. Many want to be teachers and leaders of the Christian community. That, James argues, is a dangerous impulse which can lead to conflict within the church.
Divisiveness is not of God.
we have moved from causing divisions among churches, to be divisive in our culture.
The tongue is restless. Restlessness is a characteristic of the demonic world and evil, while peace is a characteristic of God and his good kingdom. The tongue is always wanting to say something; often poison that produces death.
teachers and people with influence…we are judged for our words more strictly
Worldly wisdom, brings confusion & chaos.
Godly wisdom brings peace and righteous living.
Worldly wisdom, brings confusion & chaos.
Godly wisdom brings peace and righteous living.
For every mile of truth or godly wisdom, there is two miles worth of ditches stuck in wordly wisdom.
lies of secularism that deny truth
we make decisions on morality based on what has been deemed “Aesthetic Emotionalism” (good vibes + experiences)
misinformation producing conspiracies that mislead.
flat earth to election to QAnon to holocaust as a hoax to govt controlling weather.
there are limitless conspiracies…Ai makes them even more believable
Isaiah 8:11–13 “11 The Lord has given me a strong warning not to think like everyone else does. He said, 12 “Don’t call everything a conspiracy, like they do, and don’t live in dread of what frightens them. 13 Make the Lord of Heaven’s Armies holy in your life. He is the one you should fear. He is the one who should make you tremble.”
both are equally damaging to society and divisive. and if they were true, don’t bring life to anyone. They only surface in times of chaos and disaster and disappointment.
Why are Christians so easily misled by conspiracies?
we know the truth that unseen/hidden forces are at work..I don’t know if you’ve ever noticed it, but no one creates conspiracy theories about good people doing secret acts of love and kindness. These theories all revolve around bad people doing bad things and keeping essential information from others. And Christians are particularly inclined to be receptive to the idea of secret intrigues.
we are practiced in believing in the unbelievable….to walk by faith not sight. the danger comes when faith, whose proper object is the Transcendent Lord, is directed from the transcendent to the immanent. People of faith, having been trained to look behind the appearances for a larger narrative, turn their gaze from the One who stands beyond all history to history itself, searching behind the appearances of everyday reality to find conspiracies lurking in the immanent processes of politics and culture
we are convinced we need to evangelize, holding information about God, others don’t yet know. that genuine desire, gets hijacked by the need to share “other secrets” people don’t know
we keep looking for an answer to question Jesus gave us an answer to…”when will all this happen and you return, Lord? NO ONE KNOWS.”..but we keep trying to find a hidden roadmap.
bible codes
Y2K
great awakening of political corruption cleansing.
Syncretism has long been growing unnoticed.
THE ROOT CAUSES OF EVERY EVIL WORK AND ALL DISORDER ARE BITTER ENVY AND SELFISH AMBITION.
THE ROOT CAUSES OF EVERY EVIL WORK AND ALL DISORDER ARE BITTER ENVY AND SELFISH AMBITION.
Bitter Envy
Bitter Envy
envy in our heart leads to comparison, which leads us to criticize others, which hardens our heart with cynical unbelief.
we don’t want to live with envy of someone else’s life. comparison causes us to be ungrateful and entitled. we grow cynical and critical.
when it comes to others, assume the best, be curious about the rest.
cover up and compensate for envy with words that boast, redirect, distract, and are untrue.
i’d rather criticize others than contribute myself. I’d rather criticize christians as hypocritical than change my life. we’d rather boast that God forgives us as top tier sinners than actually change our sinful behavior.
The anti-venom to envy is gratitude and genuine celebration.
The anti-venom to envy is gratitude and genuine celebration.
All sin boils down to unbelief with a lack of gratitude to God as giver of life.
comparison leads to criticism which turns to cynicism, which bread chaos (disorder).
Selfish Ambition.
Selfish Ambition.
what we call zealous passion is often just envy and selfish ambition.
Jesus modeled a healthy zeal; “zeal for Your House has consumed me.” Be zealous to pursue God through prayer, worship, study, hospitality to other believers.
The anti-venom to self ambition is submitting to authority and serving others.
The anti-venom to self ambition is submitting to authority and serving others.
WHERE CAN WE FIND GODLY WISDOM?
WHERE CAN WE FIND GODLY WISDOM?
LOOK FOR PEOPLE WHO CULTIVATE PEACE BEING (1) ROOTED IN GOD’S WORD AND (2) LIVE TRUSTWORTHY LIVES.
LOOK FOR PEOPLE WHO CULTIVATE PEACE BEING (1) ROOTED IN GOD’S WORD AND (2) LIVE TRUSTWORTHY LIVES.
1) God’s word.
not every book written during this period made it through canonization process of scripture.
God’s word is what unites us.
We are easily deceived because we know soundbites about God and not the Spirit of God nor the substance of His character.
2 Timothy 3:1-4:4 (NLT)
2 Timothy 3:1-4:4 (NLT)
2) Trustworthy people of faith
can you see the fruit of how they live?
Just cause they have a slick reel or tiktok and large online youtube audience, doesn’t mean they are trustworthy.
Attention is the currency of our day, and everyone who wanted
Everyone media and social media and youtube channel have an agenda…mostly to make money on your attention.
I have an agenda every time I post a sermon clip or devotional video too..
1) Help you live with loyalty to Jesus today.
2) remind you the truth God spoke to us in that message
3) give short truth you can meditate on
4) give you resource to help encourage your friends and give people a sample of Faith as you invite them to come on a Sunday.
We must know the TRUTH to be set free.. and that TRUTH is Jesus.
In our freedom, we submit and serve others. Order under authority is recipe to avoid disorder.
Peace must be cultivated inwardly and relationally, starting with prayer.
Ephesians 1:15–23 (CSB) 15 This is why, since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 16 I never stop giving thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. 17 I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, would give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened so that you may know what is the hope of his calling, what is the wealth of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the mighty working of his strength. 20 He exercised this power in Christ by raising him from the dead and seating him at his right hand in the heavens—21 far above every ruler and authority, power and dominion, and every title given, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And he subjected everything under his feet and appointed him as head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of the one who fills all things in every way.
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PRACTICING THE WAY
As disciples of Jesus, we know our allegiance to Him as King is expressed in our daily practice. We are not pursuing perfection but want to practice our faith each day. These practices will point you toward spiritual formation as an apprentice (disciple) to Jesus.
(1) Start the Bible Recap reading plan.
(2) Recite this prayer/liturgy daily: “This is why, since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 16 I never stop giving thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. 17 I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, would give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened so that you may know what is the hope of his calling, what is the wealth of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the mighty working of his strength. 20 He exercised this power in Christ by raising him from the dead and seating him at his right hand in the heavens—21 far above every ruler and authority, power and dominion, and every title given, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And he subjected everything under his feet and appointed him as head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of the one who fills all things in every way.” (Eph. 1:15-23)
(3) Talk it Over (with friends, a spouse, or your Group)
The message was about the Church discerning, sharing, and living out Godly Wisdom. What is one idea from Sunday’s message that impacted you?
Read James 3:13-18. What does this passage teach about God? What should we do in response to the Truth of this text?
Why are selfish ambition and bitter envy so destructive? How does gratitude and serving others help reverse those negative attributes? Can you find any scriptures in the NT that speaks to gratitude and serving others?
Read 2 Timothy 3:1-4:4. What do you observe in this passage?
Scriptures helps rebuke or correct wrong ideology. What is one Truth about God you’ve learned that significantly changed how you previous thought about life?
Close in prayer asking God to open your eyes to see His Truth.
