A Faith that Works Seeks Wisdom from God

When things feels like they’re endless, it could drive you crazy if you do not have the wisdom to understand what lies beneath what’s going on around you, and in you

To make sure we’re on the same page— let me share what the Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible says about wisdom [Karunungan, Dunong, Talino]

Wisdom is a capacity of the mind; in the OT it involves both knowledge and the ability to direct the mind toward a full understanding of human life and towards its moral fulfillment

Easton Bible Dictionary said— wisdom is rather moral than an intellectual quality

Lexham Bible Dictionary said— Biblical wisdom refers to practical skills associated with understanding and living a successful life

Speaking of wisdom— let me share some WISDOM OF CHILDREN

Patrick aged 10: "Never trust a dog to watch your food."

Michael aged 14: "When your dad is mad and asks you, "Do I look stupid?" don't answer him."

Joel, aged 10: "Don't pick on your sister when she's holding a baseball bat."

Andrew aged 9: "Puppies still have bad breath even after eating a mint."

Taylia aged 11: "When your mum is mad at your dad, don't let her brush your hair."

Mitchell aged 12: "Don't sneeze in front of your mum when you're eating a cracker."

Michael aged 14: "Never tell your mum her diet's not working."

A faith that works:

Perseveres— [adversity, testing of faith, maturity]

It is more than just words— [3 Things about good works. Cannot save. Genuine faith produces. The Lord rewards]

and it is more than just what we feel— [mean what you say. Religion that serves. Free from the influence]

Let me end this Lord’s series from the letter of James by saying that— A Faith that Works Seeks Wisdom from God

Vance Havner said these...

“If you lack knowledge, go to school. If you lack wisdom, get on your knees! Knowledge is not wisdom. Wisdom is the proper use of knowledge.”

Earlier on in James’ letter he said..

James 1:5 NLT

5 If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.

Job said that wisdom is given by God alone

Job 12:13 NLT

13 “But true wisdom and power are found in God; counsel and understanding are his.

Wisdom is received through God’s Word

Psalm 19:7 NLT

7 The instructions of the Lord are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.

Isaiah said it is received through submission to God

Isaiah 33:6 NIV

6 He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure.

Paul said it is imparted by the Holy Spirit

Ephesians 1:17 NLT

17 asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God.

And finally, Paul also said that wisdom is revealed through the church

Ephesians 3:10 NIV

10 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms,

In his letter, James listed 7 virtues [katangian, kabutihan] of wisdom from God

He offered guidance on what Christian wisdom looks like in action

Let’s take a look

BOOK

James 3:13–17 NLT

13 If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your heart, don’t cover up the truth with boasting and lying. 15 For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. 16 For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind. 17 But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere.

LOOK

WORKS WITH THE HUMILITY THAT COMES FROM WISDOM

Those who are wise should demonstrate their wisdom in how they live

By deeds done in humility

JEALOUSY AND SELFISHNESS ARE NOT GOD’S KIND OF WISDOM

Jealousy is a strong feeling of possessiveness— intolerance of rivals

Paul said that Jealousy is an evidence of being wordly

1 Corinthians 3:3 NIV

3 You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere humans?

Selfishness— Self interest

Paul warned Timothy that in the last days people will be lovers of themselves— they look only after their own

2 Timothy 3:1–2 NIV

1 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,

James said, such things are earthly, unspiritual and demonic

Earthly refers to wisdom that is inferior to wisdom from God

Unspiritual— the Greek adjective psychikos refers to what is, by nature, human— things not inspired by the Holy Spirit

Demonic— describe the ultimate origin of earthly wisdom

YOU WILL FIND DISORDER AND EVIL OF EVERY KIND

Isn’t these what we are seeing around us these days?

These are brought by jealousy and selfish ambition

Earthly wisdom leads to jealousy and selfish ambition

THE 7 VIRTUES OF WISDOM FROM GOD

Pure

Peace Loving

Gentle at all times

Willing to yield to Others

Full of Mercy and Good Deeds

No Favoritism

Always Sincere

TOOK

I SHALL NOT BE JEALOUS OF ANYTHING OR ANYONE

Jealousy denies your uniqueness

it divides your attention

it’s a waste of your time and energy

And it leads to every other sin

Romans 13:13 NLT

13 Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Don’t participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy.

I MUST NOT HAVE SELFISH AMBITIONS

Because you will use people to get where you want to go

You will always take the credit

You will always compare yourself to others

Your need to win will be greater than your need to love

You will always be insecure

Galatians 5:19–21 NLT

19 When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, 21 envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

I WILL LIVE OUT THE 7 VIRTUES OF WISDOM FROM GOD