A Real Wise Guy

A Real Wise Guy

1. James starts with ? Look around. Who is wise & understanding?

In this section, James tells us what wisdom is & how it may be

attained.

2. Wisdom is not a hidden character trait. If foolish man keeps quiet

some will judge him wise, but wise man can’t. He is responsible for

the gift of wisdom given him by God to not keep silent. Jesus says,

“Let your light shine before men.”

3. Possess more knowledge to day than ever. Est. accumulated

knowledge from beg. of history to 1845 were rep. by 1”, learned

from 1845-1945 would =3”, learned from 1945-1975 = hgt. of Wash.

Monument (6,660”). Since then? Internet-more knowledge than we

could possibly process.

4. Few argue about incredible leap in scientific, technological, &

other knowledge. Not paralleled by corresponding leap in common

sense wisdom, or spiritual & moral wisdom. If anything, man’s

understanding of what he is doing & why seems to decrease as

practical knowledge increases.

5. Knowledge isn’t enough. Share these: Did you know......

W.V. man escaped from jail - rope from dental floss.

Kangaroo jumped pile of lumber 10 1/2’ H & 27’ L

Only 2 people in Saudi Arabia subscribe to Surfer magazine

Englishman John Evans kept 66 bricks, 296# on head for 10 sec.

Iceland consumes more Coca-Cola/person than any other country

Heinz ketchup poured from upended bottle travels at 25 miles/year

Can sing “Amazing Grace” to theme song from Gilligans Island

Now you know these things, you have more info, but what practical

use? Jeopardy or Who wants to be a Millionaire? Just knowing

doesn’t mean you know what to do with what you know.

6. Is this true wisdom? Real problem-most people don’t know what

true wisdom is. Wisdom, unlike knowledge, is not a matter of the

head. Line from Forest Gump “Stupid is as stupid does.” James says

about wisdom - “Wisdom is as wisdom does.”

7. James tells us how to get this true wisdom, which is from God. In

James 1:5, “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.”

The place to begin is to ask.

8. 2 kinds of wisdom. Like to think we possess some of it. As we

grow older, we tell younger we have more wisdom. Experience &

life-great teacher. Wisdom is desired. God asked Solomon. Wealth?

Prestige? Power? Influence? He chose wisdom.

9. What is Wisdom? Some think wisdom is simply knowing things.

Dragnet. “Just the facts.” Scripture says wisdom is gift of the spirit.

Some have it, some don’t. Dr. Millard Erickson defines wisdom as

the special ability to discern or judge right/wrong. Thus God’s

wisdom is different from simply having the facts.

10. Solomon story

11. 2 types of wisdom - good/not so good. One brings dissension,

conflict & bitterness. One brings peace. Vs. 13 Don’t hide it, use it.

But don’t boast, use it in humility. Vs. 14 Evil tongue, have a goal &

don’t care who they step on to reach it. Type we choose is evident in

the way we treat others. It is more evident in how we live than what

we say.

12. Key to this section. Warned about tongue as unreliable. Man can

claim to be wise, but how do we know for sure? James tells us to

examine the life.

13. Worldly wisdom? Earthly, unspiritual, devilish. Does not come

down from heaven. Literally of man’s spirit, as opposed to coming

from God’s spirit. Talks shows.

14. 30 yrs. child psychologists telling us how to raise our kids. Ideas

very popular and books. Look at children of America. Gotten worse

& seem to be going downhill.

15. Politics. Great Society mid 60’s answer to our poverty & social

problems. 35 yrs. later & 3 trillion $$ still the same or worse.

16. Heavenly wisdom. Whatever not from God is destined to fail.

Examples in Bible: Tower of Babel. Seemed wise for Abraham to go

to Egypt when famine came to Canaan, Saul putting armor on

David to fight Goliath, Disciples thought wise to dismiss crowd & let

them find their own food, Roman experts Acts 27 wise to set sail for

Rome, even though Paul disagreed. “The fear of the Lord is the

beginning of wisdom; and the knowledge of the holy is

understanding.” Prov. 9:10

17. Godly wisdom? Pure, unselfish motives. Not harsh or abrasive.

Gentleness & right thinking. Obedient to God’s will. Not I choose or

I will. Finally, wisdom from God is sincere. No cunning or craftiness

18. Presidential convention. Arkansas candidate. Hr. long speech

quoted Bible and scripture. We think can’t be all bad quoting Bible.

Misquoted verses. 1 Cor. 2:9 “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no