How to Spot True Wisdom - Eagle Christian...

How to Spot

True Wisdom

James 3:13-18

“How to Spot True Wisdom”

James 1:5

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” (ESV)


James 3:13-17

“Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits …”


James 3:17-18

“impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” (ESV)


Worldly Measure of Wisdom

•How intelligent you are

•How wealthy you are

•How talented you are

•How prominent you are

True Wisdom

Has a Different

Source

James presents a contrast between humanistic

wisdom & Godly wisdom


James 3:14-15, 17

“But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic … But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.” (ESV)


James 1:5

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all …” (ESV)


Wisdom of the World

• Earthly (epigeios)—Some translations read, “worldly.” Literally, “earth bound.”

•Unspiritual (psychikos)—Unspiritual, pertaining to this life, worldly. • From where we get our word “psychic.”

• Used 5x: 1 Cor 2:14; 15:44, 46; Jude 19.

• Jude 19—“It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit.”

•Demonic (daimoniodes)—of the Devil• This particular word is used only here.


Colossians 3:2

“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” (ESV)

True Wisdom

Has Different

Characteristics

James describes the contrast between worldly self-

indulgence and Christian service


James 3:14-17

“But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth ... For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.” (ESV)


A Masterpiece of Writing

• Eirenikos—peace-loving

• Epieikice—considerate

• Eupreithes—willing to yield

• Eleos—merciful

•Agathos—bearing good

•Adiakritos—impartial, without ambiguity

•Anupokritos—without hypocrisy

Contrasting CharacteristicsHumanistic• Bitter jealousy

• Selfish ambition

• Boastful

• Deny the truth

• Earthly minded

• Unspiritual

• From the devil

Heavenly• Pure

• *Peaceable

• *Gentle

• *Open to reason

• Merciful

• Bearing good fruit

• Impartial (single-minded)

• *Sincere


James 3:13

“Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.” (ESV)

True Wisdom

Has a Different

Result

James shows the contrast of outcomes


James 3:16, 18

•Humanistic wisdom: “There you will find disorder and every vile practice.”

•Heavenly wisdom: “A harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.”


Romans 1:18-22

“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth ... For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools …” (ESV)


John 10:10

“I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” (ESV)

How to Spot

True Wisdom

A fool is one who is not wise. The biggest fool is the one who knows the truth,

but fails to apply it.


The Message

“Do you want to be counted wise, to build a reputation for wisdom? Here’s what you do: live well, live wisely, live humbly. It’s the way you live, not the way you talk that counts. Mean-spirited ambition isn’t wisdom. Boasting that you are wise isn’t wisdom. Twisting the truth to make yourselves sound wise isn’t wisdom, but the furthest thing from wisdom—it’s animal cunning, devilish conniving. Whenever you’re trying to look better than others or get the better of others, things fall apart and everyone ends up at the other’s throat. Real wisdom, God’s wisdom, brings with it a holy life.”

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