Thursday, October 13, 2011 

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.  James 3:17

Today we see what the end results of God’s wisdom is.

James describes it with several descriptive words.

God’s wisdom is:

1. Pure- That is God’s wisdom in our lives leads us to be free from any self-glory or self-seeking “me first” kind of an attitude.  It seeks to put God first and others ahead of ourselves.

2. Peaceable- This wisdom fosters peace.  People get along because everyone is putting God first and others ahead of themselves.  Confusion is kept to a minimum.  Strife and arguing diminish.

3. Gentle- considerate.  Keeping others feelings and needs in mind.  Understanding how my actions affect others.

4.  Willing to yield- I’ll give on my position to see and act on behalf of others.

5. Full of mercy and good fruits- I give people a pass even though they may deserve much worse.

6. Without partiality- no politics.  We treat others with love without discrimination.

7. Without hypocrisy- I don’t just talk about this and hold others to it.  I live it myself.

Application:

If everyone in your (church, family, school, organization) acted the way you act would you say it would look more like man’s wisdom (described yesterday) or God’s wisdom (described today)?

Wednesday, October 12, 2011 

For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.  James 3:16

Today we see the picture of what the results of man’s wisdom is.
This verse ties into what James said in chapter 1, specifically that lust leads to sin, and sin leads to death.  It looks like this:
Lust–>Sin–> Death.

Simliarly in today’s verse we see that envy and self-seeking lead to two different things- confusion and a culture of sin.

Envy + Self-Seeking= Confusion.

Envy + Self Seeking= A sinful culture.

So when we see a culture of confusion, arguments and division we must assume that somewhere envy and self seeking exists.  This does not find its source in God.
Application:
In our families, church, and relationships we must be lead by God’s wisdom and not our own.  We must be humble and meek by putting others before ourselves.  Otherwise we will help to create a culture of confusion, strife, arguments and division.

Tuesday, October 11, 2011 

But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.  This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. James 3:14-15

James goes on to suggest that the person who displays “bitter envy and strife” is not living out the wisdom of God.  “Bitter envying and strife” speaks of an agenda driven person who goes after their own interests at the cost of others.  The “wisdom” that this person operates from is described here as “earthly”, “sensual” and “devilish.”  Demonic wisdom results in what we find in verse 16 which we will look at tomorrow.  Let’s talk about what these other words mean…

“Earthly”- without an eternal perspective.  Only considering what is temporary and material.

“Sensual”- seeing and speaking to only what can be seen.

“Devilish”- finding its source in the thought processes of spirit beings that have an agenda which goes against God.

Application:

When it comes to God’s work, Satan seeks to divide, distract and destroy.  One of the easiest ways for Satan to do this is for us to be focused only on ourselves and our own needs and desires.  A “me first” attitude will erode at a church, family, or individual on mission and will eventually get that church, family, or individual off of God’s mission for their lives.

Monday, October 10, 2011 

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. James 3:13

“Who is the wise a wise man and endued with knowledge among you?”  Notice James doesn’t ask “who is the pastor”, “leader”, “father” or “mother”, but rather “Who is the wise…?”.  He is not asking about a position, but rather about a reputation that is reflected because of a reality.  He then gives that person a command for that person to display their works with meekness of wisdom.  What does this mean?

1.  It is right for people to see my works.  It’s is right for my works to develop a reputation.  In fact, I should display my works to provide an example.

2. My works should flow from the character qualities of meekness and wisdom.

3. Wisdom comes from God.  Remember James 1:5.  If we ask God in faith for wisdom, He will give it to us.

4. Remembering the true source of wisdom should keep me meek.  I am meek when I am both confident and humble.  It comes from an inner faith in God, and a reliance on Him for the abilities to do what He has called me to do.

Application:
All of us are applying some kind of knowledge to the way that we act.  What we really believe shows up in how we live.  The overall question this week that we will ask is this:  Whose wisdom are you living by?