James 3:13-18 “True Wisdom”

Introduction : Test of true wisdom. Do you have it?

True wisdom leads to skillful demonstration.

1 Peter 2:12 - Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation.

James 2:18–20 - But someone may well say, “You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” 19 You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder. 20 But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless?

2. True wisdom is humble (or self controlled).

V13b “Deeds in the gentleness of wisdom”

NIV : “Humility that comes from wisdom”

ESV : “in the meekness of wisdom”

“Meekness, but not in a man’s outward behavior only, nor in his relations to his fellow man or his mere natural disposition. Rather, it is an inwrought grace of the soul, and the expressions of it are primarily toward God (James 1:21; 3:13; 1 Pet. 3:15; Sept.: Ps. 45:4). It is that attitude of spirit we accept God’s dealings with us as good and do not dispute or resist. Praǘtēs, according to Aristotle, is the middle standing between two extremes, getting angry without reason (orgilótēs [n.f.]), and not getting angry at all (aorgēsía [n.f.]). Therefore, praǘtēs is getting angry at the right time, in the right measure, and for the right reason. Praǘtēs is not readily expressed in Eng. (since the term “meekness” suggests weakness), but it is a condition of mind and heart which demonstrates gentleness, not in weakness, but in power. It is a balance born in strength of character.” - Word Study Dictionary of NT.

“Matthew 11:28–29 - 28 “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, 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.

James 1:19–20 (NASB95) - This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.

Proverbs 14:29 - He who is slow to anger has great understanding, But he who is quick-tempered exalts folly.

A temper is a powerful force, you would truly be skilled to be able to control it.

3. True wisdom controls selfish ambition. / False wisdom is motivated by selfish ambition.

James 3:14–15 - 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.

Proverbs 4:23 (NASB95) - Proverbs 25:28 “28 Like a city that is broken into and without walls Is a man who has no control over his spirit.” Proverbs 16:32 “Proverbs 16:32 (NASB95) 32 He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city.”

4. True Wisdom operates in reality. / False wisdom boasts and denies reality. [Text] 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth.”

Jer 9:23-24 Jeremiah 9:23–24 - 23 Thus says the Lord, “Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; 24 but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things,” declares the Lord.

Proverbs 18:1–2 (NASB95) - He who separates himself seeks his own desire, He quarrels against all sound wisdom. 2 A fool does not delight in understanding, But only in revealing his own mind.

**5. True wisdom preserves order and righteousness. / False wisdom breeds disorder and evil practices.

[ text ] For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing. (3:16)**

Disorder and every evil thing

James 3:8 - But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless (restless) evil and full of deadly poison.

James 4:1–3 - 1 What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members? 2 You lust and do not have; so you commit murder. You are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures.

6. True Wisdom is …

Pure “hagnos” innocence and chastity. Pure motive.

Psalm 51:7 & 10 Purify me with hyssop and I shall be clean; wash me and I shall be whiter than snow. … Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me”

2 Corinthians 7:10–11 - 10 For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death. 11 For behold what earnestness this very thing, this godly sorrow, has produced in you: what vindication of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what avenging of wrong! In everything you demonstrated yourselves to be innocent in the matter.

Peaceable | eirenikos, NIV says peace loving. Peaceful.

Gentle : epieikes

fair, moderate, tolerant, courteous, and considerate. Even lenient because you understand.

Prov 19:11 A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.

Reasonable

eupeithḗs Teachable, Persuadable, submissive.

Full of Mercy “mestos éleos” Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy (Matthew 5:7)

2 Timothy 2:24–25 - The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, 25 with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth

Full of Good fruits

Unwavering / adiákritos : unbiased in the way you judge. / not easily bribed/ He is not partial –

Without Hypocrisy : anupókritos to pretend, or act.

Mathew 24:50-51 The master of that slave will come on a ay when he does not expect him and at an hour which he does not know, and will cut him in pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

True Wisdom Farms righteousness

V18 “And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.”

Conclusion :

Deuteronomy 32:28–29 (NASB95) - 28 “For they are a nation lacking in counsel, And there is no understanding in them. 29 “Would that they were wise, that they understood this, That they would discern their future!

Therefore, be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise” Eph 5:5