FAITH WORKS WISELY
JAMES 3:13-18
FAITH WORKS #11
The right kind of wisdom is to be a key ingredient in
the Christian life. The Christian who is truly walking by faith will be a wise
Christian.
R. Kent Hughes – “Being wise does not mean we
understand everything that is going on because of our superior knowledge, but
that we do the right thing as life comes along.” R. Kent Hughes, James, Faith That Works, (Wheaton, Illinois, Crossway Books, 1991),
p. 148
James 3:13 - Who
is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good
conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.
James seems to be saying, “Do you consider yourself to
be wise and understanding? Then show it
by your good, gentle (meek), wise behavior!”
Many people consider themselves to be wise. But wisdom is not only demonstrated by our
words, but by our actions.
We show our wisdom by our good conversation, or manner
of life. Someone who thinks himself to
be wise, but does not show good behavior is not very wise at all!
We would hardly think of a drunkard or a prostitute,
or a bank robber as being wise.
But how wise is someone who is lazy, or lies, or
cheats, or curses, or looks at filthy literature or movies? Bad behavior shows that we are not very wise
at all!
We are to show our wisdom by our works. Of course this would be good works. James has
already addressed the value of good works. James 1:27, 2:15-16
Our works should be done with the “meekness of
wisdom”.
Wisdom that is meek is gentle. Being meek does not mean that someone is a
wimp. A person can be strong and yet
gentle. Our Lord Jesus was strong and
gentle or meek at the same time. Matthew 11:28-29
So verse 13 tells us that Faith Works Wisely. The rest of the chapter shows us that there are
two kinds of wisdom.
THERE IS SENSUAL WISDOM - Vss. 14-16
Vs. 14 – If you have bitter jealousy towards
someone, you are not showing God’s Wisdom.
The words “bitter envying” have been translated “harsh
zeal”.
To be zealous can be a good thing. Titus 2:13-14
Zeal is good when we are “zealous of good works”,
zealous to spread the Gospel, and zealous to love others as Christ loved us.
Zeal is a bad thing when it is bitter or harsh.
Bitter or harsh zeal can quickly become obnoxious and
narrow minded.
People in the world often show harsh zeal for what
they think is right. They are critical
of all those who don’t agree with them. They are judgmental.
Often people show harsh zeal against others because
they are jealous of that person. It is
easy to be critical of another when we want what they have. We think that we deserve it and not them!
The word translated strife means to have a “party
spirit”.
It means to want my group to be recognized in the
church.
It means to want my group to have its say in the
church.
It means to want my group to lead in the church.
One with a party spirit wants his or her group to have
control.
The person with such an attitude is told in this verse
not to glory or be “arrogant” and not to lie against the truth.
The truth that is being lied against by this bad
attitude is the truth of Scripture.
The person who is demonstrating the worldly wisdom of
bitter zeal and a party spirit is lying against God’s Word. Romans 12:16-17,
14:4, 1 John 4:7-8
1 John 4:7-8 - Beloved,
let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born
of God, and knoweth God. [8] He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is
love.
Vs. 15 – This kind of wisdom is of the earth,
of the soul, (sensual or natural) and of the devil! It is definitely not from
above!
Vs. 16 – Sensual wisdom produces confusion or
disorder and every vile or worthless deed.
Where there is jealousy or bitter zeal and a party
spirit no good can come of it.
THERE IS SPIRITUAL WISDOM - Vss. 17-19
Heavenly wisdom is Spiritual. It is God’s wisdom.
·
PURE
Purity is on the top of the list!
Something that is pure is without contamination.
The Christian has been cleansed by the blood of the
Lord Jesus Christ. His life is to be
pure.
1 John 3:2-3, Matthew 5:8
How can we maintain purity of our thoughts, motives
and behavior?
1. By being
filled with the Holy Spirit. Galatians 5:16
2. By being
dead to self. Galatians 5:24
3. By being
saturated in and heeding God’s Word. Psalm 119:9-11
4. By resisting
temptation. 1 Corinthians 10:13-14
·
PEACEABLE
We are to be peaceful or “peace loving”.
This does not mean that there is no conflict in our
lives.
Nor does it mean that we strive for peace at any cost.
We already have peace with God through faith in
Christ.
We can have the peace of God in our hearts as we pray.
Philippians 4:6-7
Part of the Fruit of the Spirit is peace.
We are commanded to follow peace and to be “peace
makers”. Hebrews 12:14, Matthew 5:9
·
GENTLE
This word carries the idea of being considerate.
The wisdom from above is concerned about the feelings
and concerns of others.
The considerate person tries to think how others think
and to look at things from this person’s point of view.
Being considerate will affect the way we speak to
others.
Being considerate will keep us from offending others.
Being considerate will modify our behavior.
Being considerate will make me concerned about the
business and needs of others. Philippians 2:4
·
EASY TO BE ENTREATED
Some people can’t be reasoned with.
One time at an amusement park, I tried to tell a lady
she had given me too much change. She
wouldn’t listen to me and I ended up with a real bargain on some ride tickets.
The Christian is one, who because of having the Holy
Spirit inside of Him, should always be
willing to listen and to be reasoned with. James 1:19-20
Another word we might use for such a person is
“teachable”. An easily entreated individual
is willing to learn and is not “hard headed”.
·
FULL OF MERCY AND GOOD FRUITS
When we are merciful to others we show kindness that
isn’t always deserved.
We remember that God has shown us mercy, and we follow
His fine example
When a person is “full of good fruits” he is known for
His good works done with a good attitude.
Galatians 6:10
·
WITHOUT PARTIALITY
Here this word carries the idea of being consistent.
Somebody without partiality doesn’t use a double
standard.
He does not have one set of rules for one group of
people, and another for his friends.
If a person is consistent, he will be impartial and
not prejudiced against any person or group.
We should always be consistent in the way we think of
others.
We should always be consistent in the way we treat
others.
We should always be consistent in our behavior.
·
WITHOUT HYPOCRISY
Hypocrisy means that one is wearing a mask.
A person professes to be one type of person but is
actually another.
Again we see consistency here.
We should make sure that our walk matches our talk.
Job 27:8
Vs. 18 – James sums up his thoughts by saying that we
are looking for a harvest of righteousness.
Wisdom that is Spiritual, that is from above, produces
a practical righteousness.
This righteousness is sown in peace by peacemakers.
If we peaceably sow righteousness we will receive a
bumper crop of righteousness. This is a
great result from adhering to the “wisdom that is from above.
THERE IS SENSUAL WISDOM - Vss. 14-16
THERE IS SPIRITUAL WISDOM - Vss. 17-19
Let us strive for spiritual wisdom.
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