Big Idea: Human knowledge can’t begin to compare to the perfect wisdom of God.
We live in the second most-educated city in the nation (Boulder, CO). Nearly 100,000 college students will soon begin the new school year in search of knowledge that will propel their careers. For years, Google has been busy digitizing the entire University of Michigan library, one of the greatest collections of books on the planet. In addition to all of the degrees that hang on walls throughout our communities, the Internet now makes immeasurably more information available at our fingertips.
Unfortunately, knowledge does not guarantee success, happiness, or even joy. Like money, information can be used…and abused. It can become an idol, an addiction, a source of pride, …or a useful tool. What we really need is wisdom, the ability to apply our knowledge and resources.
Last week Bill talked about taming the tongue as we continued our series PrACTical Christianity—A Study of the Book of James. Just to review and understand our context, James wrote
All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. (3:7-8)
With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water. (3:9-12)
My favorite verse(s) in the Bible is Proverbs 3:5-6.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
It reminds me of the choice that I have throughout every day to “have it my way” or submit to God. As we all know, it can be very difficult to “seek first the Kingdom of God” rather than seeking after that which brings us the greatest safety, comfort, control, and happiness. Making it even more challenging are the 3000 messages the average person encounters each day that are trying to woo us into buying their product or service because we deserve it. It’s all about you, right?
James 3 contrasts wisdom and selfish ambition. One is from above and leads to peace while the other earthly one leads to disorder.
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. (3:13)
Wisdom is not demonstrated by the number of university degrees. It’s not demonstrated by our job title or position. James says it can only be shown by our good live, our deeds, and our humility. We saw previously that faith without works is…dead. Our lives demonstrate our beliefs. If God is truly our LORD, our deeds will be done in humility, seeking to give God the credit for the good in our lives.
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, of the devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. (3:14-16)
If we are truly in control of our lives—or thinking we are—a completely different result occurs.
Our world is full of envy and selfish ambition. Unfortunately, my life is full of envy and selfish ambition. It’s not a pretty picture.
Let me give you an example. Last night I was listening to my son play guitar. He amazes me! I watch and listen to him play and marvel at his musical ability. I confessed to him last night that I envy his guitar skills and it’s not a good thing. I don’t obsess about it, but imagine what would happen to our relationship if my envy grew and was never acknowledged. We would eventually both end up miserable.
Selfish ambition can be just as bad. Have you ever met someone that acted as if no one else mattered—or even existed?! It doesn’t take long for their list of friends to shrink, though if they have enough fame or fortune they may think they have a lot of friends!
Many people—especially in our community—think they are “all of that and a bag of chips” because they have a lot of initials after their name or six or seven figures in their salary. I learned first-hand that many M.D.s at a certain nearby hospital act as if they are G-O-D! Scientists work overtime trying to find ways to explain the mysteries of the universe apart from a Creator. James says this is from satan! Pride, envy, selfish ambition, self-reliance, and self-worship are from the pit of hell.
I can’t stress enough how simple yet powerful this is to understand. The first two commandments are “no other gods” and “no idols.” This sounds so basic, yet I am daily reminded of how often I worship the guy in the mirror. That scares me. It’s no wonder that Jesus told us to pick up our cross daily and follow Him. The temptation to make it all about me seems to never end.
James continues
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. (3:17)
Don’t you like this list better?
In many ways, this list of characteristics is similar to the Fruit of the Spirit.
Pure. We don’t talk much about purity in our culture. In fact, I often hear people almost boasting in their sin. “Nobody’s perfect” has become a mantra of pride rather than a humbling confession. We want others to be pure but are quick to rationalize our own failures. In fact, if you’re like me, you want grace for yourself and justice for everyone else.
This happens a lot to me when I’m driving. When I’m in a hurry, I get irritated when someone in front of me is taking a leisurely drive similar to the one I did the day before. The next moment I judge the driver that passes me on the expressway as going too fast.
The word pure also means “innocent,” something that even young children seem to be losing so early in life. It describes sincere moral and spiritual integrity. This is the key to all of the following qualities. Are you pure?
Peace-loving. Ann Arbor is full of pacifists, but peace-loving is more than a “No War” sign in your yard. It seeks win-win. It views both sides of an argument. It strives for resolution rather than avoiding conflict. The Hebrew word shalom reflects this, not only well being but ultimately salvation. The peace-lover not only prefers peace but spreads it.
Considerate. The Greek for this word also means gentle or humane. It describes a person who is fair and generous rather than rigid and unreasonable.
Submissive. Huh? This is the only time this word is used in the New Testament. Some have interpreted it to mean “yielding to persuasion.” Obedient and compliant are related words. The term is used both of military discipline and legal obedience. We are to submit to authorities, be they our boss or police or other authority. Jesus submitted to the will of the Father.
Full of mercy and good fruit. This is all-embracing mercy to all, not just the rich or powerful. Good fruit benefits and blesses others.
Impartial and sincere. One English translation says, “undivided in mind” while another says “untainted by hypocrisy.” Much of James’ writings have talked about focus, not wavering, and treating everyone with dignity and respect, not just the rich or powerful.
Peacemakers. The passage concludes
Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness. (3:18)
…or fruit or crop of what is right, in agreement with God’s standards, in proper relationship with God.
Ultimately we can pursue the so-called wisdom of the world or pursue heavenly wisdom. As Paul said in Galatians, we will reap what we sow.
What Now?
So how do we get this heavenly wisdom? If you recall, we looked at wisdom a few weeks ago in chapter one where Jesus’ half-brother wrote
If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does. (1:5-8)
Conclusion
We said there are two parts to being filled with the Spirit—exhaling by confessing our sins and inhaling by inviting the Holy Spirit to fill us and change us. It happens when we quit asking God to be our co-pilot, hand him the keys, ask Him to be our pilot, and jump in the back seat—or the trunk!
Where are you? Has it been all about you? Are you selfishly pursuing your happiness or God’s glory? We get to choose every day and experience the consequences. It all begins with our relationship with God, time in the Word, and time in prayer. Do you know Him? He knows more than any professor, doctor, or scientist—and He wants nothing more than a deeper relationship with you to share His perfect wisdom.
You can listen to the podcast here.Tags: Wisdom, James 3:13-18