J AMES 3:13-18 Everybody Wants Some…. J AMES Key Verse: But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves- James 1:22 (NKJ) Review.

JAMES 3:13-18Everybody Wants Some…

JAMESKey Verse: But be doers of the word,

and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves- James 1:22 (NKJ)

Review- Teachers are held to a higher level of accountability because they are handling the Word of God (James 3:1-12)

Life and Death are in the tongue. Our words come from the overflow of our hearts

JAMES

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom- vs. 13

 Wise= “sophos.” Technical term

among the Jews for teacher, scribe or rabbi

The primary method for demonstrating wisdom should be…?

JAMES

Why does wisdom bring humility?

(Humility is “strength under the control of the Holy Spirit”)

JAMES

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom- Psalm 111:10

Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. It was strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord- Acts 9:31

The fear of the Lord=wisdom

Wisdom=right application of knowledge

The ability to apply knowledge starts with the fact that God exists

A life lived under the banner of a God who knows all, sees all and yet loves anyway brings humility

Humility results in a life of good deeds for the right reasons

JAMES

But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth- vs. 14

 Bitter envy= “harsh zeal”

Selfish Ambition= “seeking only that which benefits me or my group”

JAMES

How “American” is envy and selfish ambition?

JAMES Do nothing out of selfish ambition or

vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus- Philippians 2:3-5

To follow Jesus is choose a counter-cultural lifestyle

JAMES

…bitter envy and selfish ambition… Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice- vs. 15-16

JAMES

False wisdom makes personal gain life’s highest goal and judges all things by the subjective standards of this world

JAMES

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father- James 1:17

Wisdom which seeks gifts outside of God’s will is demonic in nature

False wisdom is demonstrated the carnage it leaves behind

JAMES

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 raise a harvest of righteousness- vs. 17-18

JAMES

The fear of the Lord brings a wisdom that is uncompromised by false motives. The tell-tale sign is an orientation towards making peace