Keeping the Peace

Travis Whitcher

Faith in Action -James • Sermon • Submitted 6 months ago • Presented 7 months ago

James 3:13–18

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Option I—Just Trying to Help

Gather

Resource 41 -RI 5.

Optional props: schoolbooks, notebooks, student backpacks, cell phone.

Steps

1. Set up two chairs in the front of the room to represent a bench.

Choose three students to act out the skit (resource 41 -RI 5). Encourage students to be dramatic. Don't forget to use a few of the suggested props. Change character names as needed.

2 . Discuss the skit.

ASK: What was wrong with the advice given by the speaker in the video? It did not depend on Biblical principles. The advice was human centered.

ASK: How would you describe the results of Melanie's confrontation with Justin?

ASK: How might the conflicts among the three friends be best resolved?

3 . Transition to the Bible lesson.

Resolving conflicts while maintaining healthy personal relationships isn't always easy. With all the information and opinions on relationships available today, it's sometimes hard to tell which sources you should consult. This session explains the consequences of using earthly wisdom and the benefits of using heavenly wisdom Heavenly wisdom brings peace to individuals and relationships.

James 3:13–18 KJV 1900

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. But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

Qualities of Wise People

A recent survey conducted by Cultural Research Center revealed that one-third of pastors in the United States today believe that good people can earn their way to Heaven. Even more disturbing, the survey showed that 39% of "evangelical" pastors believe that there is no absolute moral truth. With even church leaders abandoning the Bible to embrace the wisdom of the world, no wonder our society seems to be plunging into greater conflict and ruin.

James offers great insight into earthly, Satanic wisdom that can draw us away from the truth. If we are not careful, even as believers we can be sucked into the lies and gradually led down a slippery slope leading to moral decay. Thankfully, God has revealed all we need to know in His Word, and we must stay faithful to its teachings.

As teens you are daily influenced by all types of ungodly "wisdom." From YouTube and video games to well meaning friends and public-school agendas, the fallen world offers only false hope as it seeks to solve problems without God. I ensure you can learn to be discerning. If you study God's Word regularly, to pray and ask God for wisdom, and to yield yourself to the Holy Spirit's leading.

James, wanting the teachers in the churches as us to be effective and worthy of reward, he addressed the importance of wisdom, beginning with two qualities that will be true of those who are truly wise.

A. Good Conduct

James opened this section of wisdom by asking, Who is wise among you? Just anyone? Those who are ambitious and self-confident? Those who are creative?

ASK: What would you say qualifies a person to be wise?

James 3:13 KJV 1900

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.

Those with true understanding and wisdom will be known for good conduct (conversation), living out what they say they believe. When faced with trials or conflict, the wise will respond in a godly manner and provide a testimony to those around them.

Some that say they are wise have an attitude that is “do as I say not as I do.” Such are not wise but foolish. Their actions betray what they really believe. And their actions will drown out anything they say they believe. In fact Christians are known to be hypocrites. This is because their are some Christians that say one thing but do another. What they say they believe and what they do about it is another.

B. Godly Control

The second half of verse 13 reveals the key to wisdom that shows itself in good conduct. James wrote that the wise exercises “meekness of wisdom."

ASK: What comes to mind when you hear the word "meekness"? What might a meek person do?

James didn't have in mind a weak person who allows everyone to walk all over him or her The meek aren't spineless and out to make everyone peaceful no matter the sacrifice. They aren't wimps and pushovers.

The meek are confident, though not in themselves. They know God is in control of their lives and will work all things for good. They don't assert themselves to try to manipulate or direct the circumstances and people beyond their control. They respond to ups and downs with assurance and faith in God. They don't get angry, fret, or lash out. In other words, they exercise self-control by the power of the Holy Spirit. When they feel the desire to strike, lash out, or get revenge, they submit to the Holy Spirit.

ASK: Who has the greater power, the bully or the meek? Explain. The bully lacks self-control and is weak in tempering his responses. He seems powerless to stop his prideful anger. The meek show God's infinite power as they practice self-control.

II. Futility of Earthly Wisdom

James moved from presenting the qualities of wise people to the futility of earthly wisdom. Those who want to be wise need to consider whether they were living according to earthly wisdom or godly. We need to do the same. Our circumstances have changed, but earthly wisdom remains the same; people just use it in different contexts than the first century church.

A. Its Characteristics

James 3:14 KJV 1900

But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.

James wrote that earthly wisdom is the expression of bitterness and jealousy The person following earthly wisdom is driven by a thirst for power and control. The person uses a position of influence or seeks positions of influence to force his or her opinions and counsel on others. He or she sees those who disagree as an enemy that needs to be crushed.

ASK: Where do you see expressions of earthly wisdom in the world today?

The world uses earthly wisdom unashamedly. Some of those who protest injustices, for example, will use gross injustices themselves and then pompously boast about their actions. In the end, they aren't solving any injustices, just making matters worse.

James told his readers not to boast about their selfish, fanatical zeal. They were proud of their stand on certain religious issues and the tenacity with which they defended them. But in their zealousness, they trampled over others and denied the very truth they proudly defended.

B. Its Source

So where does earthly wisdom come from? What is its root cause? James answered that in verse 15.

James 3:15 KJV 1900

This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.

The word for "earthly" refers to the soil and all that makes the earth earthy. James uses that word to emphasize that earthly wisdom doesn't come from God. It is based on principles found far beneath God, based only on earthly matters.

James further described earthly wisdom as sensual or unspiritual, a translation of a word from which we get our word "psyche. " The word doesn't imply sensuality but rather that which is natural as opposed to supernatural. Earthly wisdom is natural in that it is characteristic of our sin nature. People naturally have and follow earthly wisdom because they are sinners. When they do what they feel in their flesh is right, they are following earthly wisdom

Ephesians 4:17–19 KJV 1900

This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.

As believers, our flesh, or old self, wants us to follow its demands. But we aren't obligated to obey our flesh (4:20—24). We have the Holy Spirit in us, so we can submit to Him and follow His direction by His power. When we do, we are controlled by the Holy Spirit (5:18).

ASK: When have you felt the pull of your natural man to do what felt right instead of what you knew God wanted you to do?

C. Its Consequences

So does following earthly wisdom matter? Is it really a big deal? What James wrote in verse 16 helps us see the serious consequences of earthly wisdom.

James 3:16 KJV 1900

For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

Where the envy and self-seeking strife of earthly wisdom exist, there will be confusion and disorder. In the present context, James meant a church filled with people following earthly wisdom will be disorderly, disrupted, and dysfunctional. Those using earthly wisdom approach a situation with self-confidence that their answers will bring resolution, but they only make the situation worse.

ASK: What will a church that is known for disorderliness, disruptions, and being dysfunctional be able to accomplish for the Lord? Nothing of consequence. In fact, the church might serve to turn people away from God and the gospel.

So is following earthly wisdom, especially in a church, a big deal Absolutely. Eternal matters are on the line every time a church meets.

James's reference to every evil work emphasizes the worthlessness of the foolish counsel generated by earthly wisdom. Those who are disoriented and unstable can accomplish nothing worthwhile. Earthly wisdom brings chaos to both a person's life and to churches.

III. Blessings of Heavenly Wisdom

A. Its source

Praise God we don't have to live by earthly wisdom. We can use heavenly wisdom as our guide instead.

James 3:17 KJV 1900

But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

James exhorted his readers to make use of the wisdom that is {'from above." God is the source of heavenly wisdom, and we learn about it from His Word. The Holy Spirit then uses God's Word to guide us in the way of godly wisdom. ASK: What correlation have you noticed between the time you spend in God's Word and the choices you make in your daily life? We are born with earthly wisdom as our default setting. We don't need to do anything to learn how to live by earthly wisdom. Living by heavenly wisdom, though, takes discipline and effort. We must be in God's Word regularly if we want to see the characteristics of heavenly wisdom played out in our lives.

C. Its Characteristics

Heavenly wisdom begins with purity, meaning it is free of sinful or selfish motives. The believer following heavenly wisdom isn't self-seeking or proud. Instead, the person credits God for spiritual understanding, growth, and influence. The person wants God's name, not his or her name, to be praised.

James next described heavenly wisdom as peaceable, or peace loving. That doesn't describe a pushover but rather a person who seeks to bring peace to tense situations. A peace-loving person will be patient and will help those following earthly wisdom to see their fault and thereby realize the peace found in following heavenly wisdom.

A person following heavenly wisdom is also characterized by gentleness, meaning a willingness to forego one's rights to get back at someone who has wronged the person. The person is also open to instruction and correction when his or her decisions seem out of line. The person following heavenly wisdom is full of mercy, both feeling compassion for the hurting and taking action to help them, Furthermore, the person helps everyone without showing discrimination, willing to serve them impartially. And finally, the person is real. Heavenly wisdom isn't an act. It comes from a believer's heart, and it is energized by the Holy Spirit.

ASK: What is your response to the characteristics of heavenly wisdom?

ASK: Does heavenly wisdom seem out of reach for you? Explain. Biblical, or godly, wisdom is available to anyone who will seek it (James 1 :5). Whether it is necessary to rightly understand adversity (as in James 1) or to properly advise and counsel people (as in James 3), that wisdom is available in generous amounts.

C. Its Consequences

ASK: How do you think heavenly wisdom would affect your life, especially your relationships?

James 3:18 KJV 1900

And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

“Peace" describes the life and relationships of a person living according to heavenly wisdom. If you aren't at peace and your relationships are characterized by turmoil, then you need to seek God's heavenly wisdom. Begin by studying His Word and communicating to Him through prayer.

We can often distinguish those who incorporate God's wisdom from those who don't. Think of a conflict when you observed harsh or unreasonable attitudes, creating even more anger and conflict. Contrast that scene with one in which the individuals demonstrated gentleness with peaceful and reasonable attitudes.

James called the effects of heavenly wisdom the fruit of righteousness because the effects grow out of our lives as we allow the Spirit to control our relationships. We can't grow the spiritual fruits on our own without first yielding to God's Word and His Holy Spirit.

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