Series on James

                

Wisdom and the World

James 3:13-19

Again, James understood the need for godly wisdom in leading the church in Jerusalem. For the enemy of God had his perverse version of wisdom in the world and as well as the adulterated wisdom of the human sinful nature directed by the heart as Jeremiah described “The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it? I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give every man according to his ways, According to the fruit of his doings.” (17:9-10 NKJV). 

So let’s read the first portion of the text, “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.”

James again brings the need for godly wisdom and draws the comparison to the wisdom of man and the demonic. He calls out to those who believe that they are wise in selfish ambition for it will be evidenced by its practice in their lives and their choices done in envy. James draws on the fruit of humility in the true life of a believer and of leaders. The fruit of a person’s life, whether it is God’s or the devil’s, will in contrast be observable and discernable. 

For in the Jerusalem church as well as the jewish culture and the Roman world, there were people who were acting on the wisdom that they had or desired according to their understanding in faith and demonstrated by the use of their tongues. For every action that they participated in whether in work, leadership, or family life, had some form of wisdom used in proportion to their understanding and  faith. Faith and wisdom are not exclusively separate but interwoven in their bonds in God. James knew that to walk in faith was to walk wisely and evidence by godly humility, “Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.” (v.13).

But the antithesis of godly wisdom was the wisdom of the worldly heart and mind, and even from the demonic. “But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.” (14-17) For worldly bitter envy came from the enemy as was evidenced by the story of Cain and Abel. For God the Father told Cain that sin was crouching at his door. “If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it” (Gen. 4:7). Demonic jealousy consumed Cain to the point of murder. And it was sinful worldly wisdom of envy and selfish-ambition that drove many to do things that are very contrary to godly faith and wisdom. Those who chose worldly unspiritual wisdom opened their hearts to the demonic and wickedness, just as all those who participated in the crucifixion of Jesus, thought they thought they were wise in their own eyes, in their decisions they played into the acts of the devil. Another example from history is these actions brought disorder and chaos, and the depravity of the heart led to every evil practice imaginable as in Noah’s day.

Application - Where does one begin when observing the type of wisdom being used in the world today? In the world, we see the unrest of the sinful and demonic activities being perpetrated in our government, communities, schools, and daily lives. In the government, the evidence is plain with the lack of humility, for arrogance and pride are the key focus of almost every worldly leader. They are right in their own eyes and wisdom and pressure others to their way of thinking, leading the world into chaos and depravity. God foreseen these acts in our times, and he said, “For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools…Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done.” (Rom. 1:21-22,28 NIV)

In the communities around the world, people have given themselves to seek the wisdom of the world. They seek after the wealth and prosperity of the world, instead of seeking after the kingdom of God. They trust in the minds and wisdom of man to guide them into peace and security, only to be in bondage to the world and enslaved to carnality that leads to all sorts of folly. We have exchanged humility for arrogance and pride. We proclaim a truth that the world has proclaimed as relative. Whatever one thinks is true for themselves is their truth, even if it is extraordinarily opposite of Godly truth, leading people into a cultural morass, and political relativism. 

And this has crept into the church, for instead of seeking God’s will and purpose, we are seeking the wisdom of man and the demonic. We don’t hold to the standard of God’s Word but have given ourselves to the teachings of men. Some have expounded the building of a christianized kingdom formed by man’s wisdom on earth, in order for Christ to return. Others have turned to the demonic, and are following the worship of the creation instead of the Creator, “They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.” (Rom. 1:25 NIV)

For God has revealed His truth, will, and purpose through the Word of God. Just as James pointed out in his time, when mankind's wisdom becomes envious and self-absorbed with self-ambition, Godly wisdom is ignored, “Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.” 

In the last portion of the text, James brings us back to godly wisdom. “But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.”

James begins with the origin of wisdom, it came from heaven. “And here’s why: God gives out Wisdom free, is plain spoken in Knowledge and Understanding. He’s a rich mine of Common Sense for those who live well, a personal bodyguard to the candid and sincere. He keeps his eye on all who live honestly, and pays special attention to his loyally committed ones.” (Prov. 2:6-8 MSG) James knew this proverb for he used it at the beginning of his teaching and letter to the church. “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith…” (1: 5, 6a ESV)

Second, James lists the attributes of godly wisdom, first it is all pure. James knew that purity came from God for He is all pure, there is no deceit in Him, nor hypocrisy, or evil intent. For God is pure in thought, motive, and love, and He is not like a man. He is Light. “God is not man, one given to lies, and not a son of man changing his mind. Does he speak and not do what he says? Does he promise and not come through?” “This, in essence, is the message we heard from Christ and are passing on to you: God is light, pure light; there’s not a trace of darkness in him. If we claim that we experience a shared life with him and continue to stumble around in the dark, we’re obviously lying through our teeth—we’re not living what we claim. But if we walk in the light, God himself being the light, we also experience a shared life with one another, as the sacrificed blood of Jesus, God’s Son, purges all our sin.” (Num. 23:19; 1 Jn. 1:5-7 MSG)

 James would have remembered the greatest commandment to honor God in all things, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” (Deut. 6:5 NIV) This is James' understanding of God, His purity, light, and life.

Third, godly wisdom is peace-loving. James directed the church to being peaceable, not just having peace with God but with everyone, including their enemies. James understood that living in peace led to being a peacemaker. “Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.”

Last, James lists the Godly character qualities  of submission to God, yielding to His Holy Spirit, and being merciful in our actions with everyone, bearing the fruit of the Holy Spirit. He exhorted the church to be considerate and merciful to others, this was part of godly humility and submission. For Jesus had taught on the Mount that being considerate of others would lead to submission to God’s will. “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy...So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” (Matt. 5:7;7:12 NIV)

And again James reiterates God doesn’t play favorites, and neither should the church. It should be impartial and sincere in its motives of the heart and mind as well as in the actions of the body and the tongue.

Application - Now, this is how the Christians today should act. We should portray Godly wisdom in our lives that is first of all pure, just as our Lord is pure, holy, and full of light. This can only happen through the work of Christ’s blood cleansing us from all unrighteousness. Second, the regenerating power of the Holy Spirit, as we are sanctified continually in our lives, thoughts, words, and deeds. For it is God who is working through us, “For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.” (Phil. 2:13)

When we seek His wisdom and understanding, we are sure to please Him in our lives, thoughts, words, and deeds. Then we will live with His peace, enabling us to love as He loves. We will be considerate of others, especially the downtrodden by the world. He will give us wisdom to assist and words of comfort that we ourselves have received from Him, “who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. (2 cor. 1:4)

Then, it is through the wisdom of God that tells us to yield to the Holy Spirit in all areas of our lives, submitting to His will and purpose. “So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not able to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. (Gal. 5:16-18)

Last, It is through the wisdom of God, we can live and be merciful as He is merciful, bearing the fruit of the Holy Spirit. We will be sincere and act impartial to others and see them as God sees them. For God desires us to live at peace with our fellowman. “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” “Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.” “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” (Rom. 12:18, 14:19; Eph. 4:32) It is then that we can be the peacemakers in our world through Christ’s work on the cross and the guidance and power of the Holy Spirit who lives in us. “Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.”

I’m again including the ABC’s of salvation for all those who have not yet received Jesus Christ for salvation. For Jesus, God the Son, came to this world to save all who would believe and trust in him. He desires to reveal himself to you, He is the Light that overcomes the darkness of this lawless world. He hears your prayers, and all authority in heaven and earth have been given to him. He will answer you if you will truly believe. If you haven’t asked him to be your Lord and Savior, today could be that day.

 First, A - Admit that you are a sinner. This is where that godly sorrow leads to genuine repentance for sinning against a righteous God and there is a change of heart, we change our mind and God changes our hearts and regenerates us from the inside out. Romans 3:10 - As it is written: "There is none righteous, no, not one." Romans 3:23 - For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (We are all born sinners which is why we must be born spiritually in order to enter the Kingdom of Heaven). Romans 6:23 - For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. The bad news is that the wages of sin is death, in other words our sin means that we have been given a death sentence, we have the death penalty hanging over our heads, that's the bad news. But here's the good news: The good news is that the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Ephesians 2:8-9 - For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith —and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. Second,

 B - Believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and that God raised Jesus from the dead. This is trusting with all of your heart that Jesus Christ is who he said he was. Romans 10:9-10 - That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. Third, 

C - Call upon the name of the Lord. Every single person who ever lived since Adam will bend their knee and confess with their mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord, the Lord of lords and the King of kings. Romans 14:11 - For it is written: "As I live, says the Lord, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God." Don't wait until later — do this now. Romans 10:13 - For "whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." "O God, I am a sinner. I'm sorry for my sin. I want to turn from my sin. I believe Jesus Christ is Your Son; I believe that He died on the cross for my sin and that He was buried and You raised Him to life. I have decided to place my faith in Jesus Christ as my Savior, trusting only in His shed blood as sufficient to save my soul and to take me to heaven. Thank You, Lord Jesus, for saving me. Amen."

Please share this with someone this week, the Lord knows that we and they need it.

If you would like other lessons, please go to http://pmdinhisservice.blogspot.com 

Until next week, In His Service Mike Davis

I have revised my webpage on Spiritual warfare. Please give it a look. Thank you. http://uss-warfare3.webnode.com