Characteristics of Genuine Wisdom
Notes
Transcript
Introduction:
Introduction:
Last week we looked at the first part of this passage and discussed the Counterfeit Wisdom James mentioned. Today we want to look at the Characteristics of Genuine Wisdom.
Just like Counterfeit Wisdom reveals itself in bitter envy, self-seeking, and confusion, Genuine Wisdom also has some important characteristics that we need to be aware of. This will help us to continue to discern the difference of whether or not the “wisdom” that is leading us is “earthly, sensual, and demonic” (world, flesh, and the devil) or whether or not it is wisdom from “above.”
Let’s take a look at the passage in it’s entirety...
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
The first characteristic James lists is that of...
Purity
Purity
Notice again James 3:17
But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.
Jesus said in Matthew 5:8
Blessed are the pure in heart,
For they shall see God.
Douglas Moo says:
The word pure connotes moral blamelessness…Wisdom which is free from any stain or blemish
David Platt says it is a “GOD-CENTERED” wisdom, not a self-centered wisdom.
As we are seeking for and praying for wisdom we should ask ourselves, does this reflect the PURITY of God and His Scriptures? If not, then it’s not genuine wisdom.
The second aspect of wisdom, is that it leads to...
Peace (see v. 18)
Peace (see v. 18)
You may remember last week Donna read from Proverbs 3 regarding wisdom and Solomon said this about wisdom:
Her ways are ways of pleasantness,
And all her paths are peace.
Wisdom does not seek to cause strife and turmoil, but rather seeks to bring pleasantness and peace to situations.
It is far from the Counterfeit Wisdom we looked at last week. Remember James 3:14
But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth.
Bitter envy and self-centeredness does not bring peace, but true wisdom does!
Notice what James goes on to discuss in James 3:18-4:2
Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask.
Those things are not a result of Genuine Wisdom!
When contentious quarrels and disputes are present, you can be sure wisdom is absent!
In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus said this in Matthew 5:9
Blessed are the peacemakers,
For they shall be called sons of God.
Does this mean “peace at any price?” NO
Remember what Paul said in Romans 12:18
If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.
“IF IT IS POSSIBLE.” Sometimes it is not possible, because WISDOM is FIRST OF ALL PURE! There are times when it is not possible to be at peace.
We cannot be at peace with error, we cannot be at peace with sin, we cannot be at peace with doctrinal heresy!
Warren Wiersbe put it this way:
The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Eight: Where to Get Wisdom (James 3:13–18)
Man’s wisdom leads to competition, rivalry, and war (James 4:1–2); but God’s wisdom leads to peace. It is a peace based on holiness, not on compromise
But we are to be “peace-loving people” whenever possible.
We should be planting seeds of truth and peace wherever we go!
A third characteristic of Genuine Wisdom is...
Gentleness
Gentleness
Once again we are reminded of this from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount:
Blessed are the meek,
For they shall inherit the earth.
Genuine Wisdom does not make unreasonable demands on others, according to Thomas Lea.
The gentleness referred to here is “gentleness without weakness.”
Remember what James said in James 3:13
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom.
Counterfeit Wisdom is harsh, and mean, and Pharisaical.
Yielding (Submissive)
Yielding (Submissive)
Notice again James 3:17
But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.
The word yield here is rarely used, but it literally means:
willing and open to adopting another position, belief, or course of action (with sufficient reason or evidence).
I’ve heard some people brag and say, “I haven’t changed in 20 years and I don’t ever plan to change.”
In my estimation that means one of two things:
You are perfect (none of us are)
You are unwilling to grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ
Wisdom sometimes has to say, “I WAS WRONG, GOD’S WORD CORRECTED ME, AND THE HOLY SPIRIT IS CONFORMING ME MORE INTO THE IMAGE OF CHRIST.”
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.
God uses circumstances, among other things to make us more like Jesus! To become more like Jesus we have to YIELD to the Holy Spirit and to God’s Word, confess our sins and faults, and YIELD to the Holy Spirit’s work in our life!
Again I quote Warren Wiersbe who said:
God’s wisdom makes the believer agreeable and easy to live with and work with. Man’s wisdom makes a person hard and stubborn. The compliant person is willing to hear all sides of a question, but he does not compromise [the truth].
Mercy
Mercy
Verse 17 lets us know that Genuine Wisdom is FULL OF MERCY! It’s full of COMPASSION.
Remember Matthew 5:7
Blessed are the merciful,
For they shall obtain mercy.
GENUINE WISDOM is FULL of this compassion and mercy.
Wiersbe notes:
To be “full” of something means to be “controlled by.” The person who follows God’s wisdom is controlled by mercy.
If you are full of genuine wisdom you aren’t full of harshness and mean-spirited. You may have to say hard truth, but you are doing it out of a place of compassion and mercy, not out of a place of spite and hatred!
Not only is Genuine Wisdom characterized by MERCY, but it’s also characterized by GOOD FRUITS (again see v. 17)!
Good Fruits
Good Fruits
The idea of “fruit” here is the outcome of something. The outcome of GENUINE WISDOM is something that is “GOOD” in the eyes of God.
Thomas Lea believes these “good fruits” refer to kind actions and helpful deeds.
The authors of the Cornerstone Bible Commentary believe it refers to a “harvest of righteous behavior.”
Warren Wiersbe says the outcome of Genuine Wisdom are simply things things in our lives that bring glory to God!
I personally think it can include all of these things! Anything and everything that God calls good is a result of you and I yielding to the Genuine Wisdom God offers us!
A seventh characteristic of GENUINE WISDOM is that it is...
Without Partiality
Without Partiality
Thomas Lea says that it is without prejudice and it is unwavering in its commitments.
Genuine wisdom isn’t prejudiced by the world’s philosophies and opinions, but rather remains steadfast upon the TRUTH! It is unwavering.
Finally, Genuine Wisdom is...
Without Hypocrisy (Sincere)
Without Hypocrisy (Sincere)
Warren Wiersbe gives some great insight on this:
The Greek word translated hypocrite in our New Testament means “one who wears a mask, an actor.”
When man’s wisdom is at work, there may be insincerity and pretense. When God’s wisdom is at work, there is openness and honesty...Wherever you find God’s people pretending and hiding, you can be sure the wisdom of this world is governing their ministry.
There you have it. Over the last two weeks we have learned the difference between TRUE WISDOM and COUNTERFEIT WISDOM.
As you read and think about James 3:15-18 let me encourage you to ask God to do some things in your life:
Invite God to Reveal any Counterfeit Wisdom that Has Crept its way Into Your Life
Invite God to Reveal any Counterfeit Wisdom that Has Crept its way Into Your Life
Invite God to “TEST” your heart...
The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold,
But the Lord tests the hearts.
Examine me, O Lord, and prove me;
Try my mind and my heart.
Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me, and know my anxieties;
Invite God to Guide You into the Path of Genuine Wisdom
Invite God to Guide You into the Path of Genuine Wisdom
And see if there is any wicked way in me,
And lead me in the way everlasting.
Understand there is a Cost to Embrace Genuine Wisdom, but there is an even Greater Cost if You Refuse
Understand there is a Cost to Embrace Genuine Wisdom, but there is an even Greater Cost if You Refuse
Sometimes people do not follow Genuine Wisdom because there is an immediate cost to do so. You may not be popular, it may not be easy, it may seem costly at the moment.
But I promise you if you continue dealing in the currency of Counterfeit Wisdom the LONG-TERM cost will be far greater than the up front cost of following and doing God’s will!
In the last few lines of Robert Frost’s poem “The Road Not Taken” he says these words:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
Salvation
Re-dedication
Baptism