What kind of wisdom do you
possess? Are you displaying godly wisdom
through godly actions? Let’s look into
the Text together!
As you read today's passage,
look for these words or phrases: wise, gentleness, jealousy,
and selfish ambition.
Passage for the
day: James 3:13-15 (NASB)
13 Who
among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his
deeds in the gentleness of wisdom.
14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish
ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth.
15 This wisdom is not that which comes down from
above, but is earthly, natural, demonic.
Questions for thought: Take a few
moments to answer these questions before you go on to the next section.
What is
the difference between “understanding” and “wisdom?” See Proverbs 9:10 for help on this one.
What
does James mean by “gentleness of wisdom?”
Give a practical example.
What is
bitter jealousy and selfish ambition?
What are you jealous about and why?
Is that true wisdom with gentleness? If not, what steps do you need to
take to change?
Why do you think that James describes earthly wisdom as
demonic in verse 15?
Meditate on this:
In these verses, James
introduces us to true wisdom. Those who
are truly wise and have knowledge according to God’s standards will
prove it by attitudes and good actions. So what is understanding and wisdom? Understanding comes from getting to know God
and seeing His wisdom in action.
Understanding knows where to get wisdom and why wisdom is worth
getting. Wisdom takes that knowledge of
God and applies it in everyday life.
Wisdom knows what is good and knows how to do the good, as a result of
knowing God. Wisdom then concerns the
conduct of one’s life. Wisdom from God
gives birth to deeds and a way of life that grows in understanding.
However, there is another
kind of wisdom – the kind that is found here on earth. The character of this kind of
wisdom is bitter envy and selfish ambition.
It is also seen as earthly, natural, and demonic! Wow.
James is really going for shock value in these verses! He does not want us to miss the
comparison. Any wisdom that does not
come from God is not worth getting. It
is Satanic and will result in a life of jealousy and selfishness. This is in complete contrast to the wisdom
God gives, which results in a life that is characterized by gentleness and
humility. We see this lived out even in
the Garden of Eden, when Adam and Eve sinned.
They listened to Satan’s so-called “words of wisdom” and it resulted in
selfish ambition – not a life of humble submission and obedience to God’s words
of wisdom. The words from Proverbs 14:12
characterizes this “wisdom” as well as any in the Bible: “There is a way that
seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.”
So where are getting your wisdom to live your
life? Don’t buy into the lie that the
world’s wisdom has all of the answers!
Only the wisdom of God will give you what you need – and it can only be
acquired by getting to know Him. Let's
be committed to knowing God and then humbly obeying Him with our actions and
attitudes.
Praying for that you would Love Christ
PASSIONATELY, Know Christ DEEPLY, and Enjoy Christ FULLY!!!
Pastor Stephen
No comments:
Post a Comment