Living In Godly Wisdom
Every day we have contact with many different kinds of people. Some are inspiring – others are irritating. Some are fascinating – others are frustrating. Some are delightful – others are dreadful. The fact is – many of the problems we have in life are because of the contact we have with other people. There are times when we just don’t get along with people. There are times when relationships stink and life feels bad. You may have lots of money and lots of possessions – but you’re miserable because of the relationships you have with other people. The truth is – it’s very important that we learn how to get along with people – living in Godly wisdom can help you resolve this problem.
The book of James gives us some very practical advice on how to build relationships with one another. A key verse in building relationships is James chapter three verse eighteen:
“The fruit of righteousness is planted in peace for those who make peace.” James 3:18 (BBE)
This is the principle of reaping and sowing. Notice that James talks about fruit. He says, “If you sow peace – you will reap peace.” The Message translation says it this way:
“You can develop a healthy, robust community that lives right with God and enjoy its results only if you do the hard work of getting along with each other, treating each other with dignity and honor.” James 3:18 (MSG)
Building strong, healthy, peaceful relationships takes WORK – they just don’t happen.
James tells us that every day we are planting seeds – seeds of anger or seeds of compassion – seeds of confidence or seeds of insecurity – seeds of discord or seeds of peace. You see – there are many different types of seeds out there. We all are planting seeds. Planting good seed is important. Knowing how to deal with people takes wisdom.
We all need to learn how to be wise as we build relationships. Often we treat people very foolishly and we provoke the exact opposite behavior of what we would like to see in them. Common sense many times – is not very common. A lot of smart people are not very smart at all – they are not very wise. In our text for today James does three things:
1. James tells us what Godly wisdom is.
2. James shows us how Godly wisdom differs from worldly wisdom.
3. James details how Godly wisdom works in relationships.
Let’s look first at:
I. The Definition of Godly Wisdom
James chapter three verse thirteen says:
“Who has wisdom and good sense among you? let him make his works clear by a life of gentle wisdom.” James 3:13 (BBE)
The Message Bible says it this way:
“Do you want to be counted wise, to build a reputation for wisdom? Here’s what you do: Live well, live wisely, live humbly. It’s the way you live, not the way you talk, that counts.” James 3:13 (MSG)
Wisdom is displayed in the way you live. In other words;
Wisdom is LIFESTYLE.
If James was to ask you today, “Are you wise?” And you answered, “Yes” – he would say, “Prove it – show me your wisdom by the way you live.” You see – it’s not a matter of what you say – it’s a matter of do – how you live. Wisdom has more to do with character than it does with education or intelligence. Wisdom is your lifestyle.
That brings us to the second point:
II. Godly Wisdom Is Different Than Earthly Wisdom.
Let’s look at verses fourteen thru sixteen:
“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.”
James 3:14-16 (NKJV)
Go ahead and circle the word – “earthly”. James is telling us that there are two sources of wisdom. One is Godly wisdom and the other is earthly wisdom. We can also call it worldly wisdom. One is Godly – and James says – the other is “demonic”. One is truthful – the other lies. One creates order and peace – the other creates confusion. Folks let me say this right up front – you can’t live in an ungodly manner and expect to have peace in your life. It just does not work that way. The lack of Godly wisdom causes all kinds of problems. The lack of Godly wisdom causes chaos and confusion.
Do you have confusion in your home? Do you have chaos at work? Is your life a mess? If there is not order and peace – you lack Godly wisdom. How does a person know if they have Godly wisdom? When there is Godly wisdom – there is truth, there is peace, there is order, there is mercy, there is compassion. Look at verse seventeen with me:
“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.” James 3:17 (NKJV)
Godly wisdom is different from earthly wisdom. Earthly wisdom looks out for “number one”. Godly wisdom looks out for the good of others. Let’s now look at:
III. How Godly Wisdom Works In Relationships
1. Godly Wisdom Is TRUTHFUL
James tells us in verse seventeen:
“The wisdom that is from above is first pure…”
Go ahead and circle the word “pure”. Pure means uncorrupted – authentic – truthful. A person who is “pure” will not compromise their integrity. In First John chapter three verse three the same word – “pure” – is used to describe the character of Christ. Jesus had integrity. If you want to live in Godly wisdom you must live a life of integrity. If I am truthful – I will not lie to you – cheat you – or manipulate you. I will be honest with you. That is what integrity is all about. Look at what Proverbs chapter ten verse nine says:
“He who walks in integrity walks securely, But he who perverts his ways will be found out.” Proverbs 10:9 (NASV)
A person of integrity doesn’t have to worry about being found out – because he has nothing to hide. A person who walks in Godly wisdom is truthful – he is honest – he is open. We often call that quality – “transparent” You can see their character – they are truthful – they are honest.
Our second point:
2. Godly Wisdom Is PEACE LOVING
Notice what James chapter three goes on to say:
“The wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable…”
How do you seek to have peace? With “gentleness”! If you want to start an argument – just go at someone with anger and harshness and see what happens. Notice what Proverbs fifteen and verse one says:
“A gentle answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.” Proverbs 15:1 (NASV)
Have you ever known someone who is always looking for a fight – always looking for an argument? I have too. I heard of one guy who liked to argue so much that he would only eat food that disagreed with him. But if you’re going to walk in Godly wisdom – you should strive to be peace loving – and gentle.
That brings us to point number three:
3. Godly Wisdom Is Willing To YIELD
James chapter three verse seventeen goes on to say:
“The wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield…”
Go ahead and circle the words – “willing to yield”. In the Greek this is actually one word. It literally means – “ready to obey”. In other words – a person is open to suggestions – they are willing to listen – they are open to ideas – they are willing to try new things – they are willing to see what works and adjust to it – they are willing to take another person’s advice.
Most of us are too oversensitive. If someone gives us a suggestion – many times we take it as criticism. A person who walks in Godly wisdom is submissive – they are open to new ideas and concepts.
A new pastor comes to town and preaches at the church for the first time. After the sermon a man comes up to him and says, “Pastor, that sermon stunk.” The pastor trying to be open about it asked, “What didn’t you like about it?” The man replied, “Well in the first place – you read it. In the second place – you read it poorly. And in the third place – it wasn’t worth reading in first place.” Another man comes up to the pastor and say, “Pastor, don’t you mind him – he just repeats what he hears everybody else saying.”
If you’re wise you’ll be open to suggestions. Don’t criticize. Don’t get defensive. Listen – try new things and see if they work. If it doesn’t work – it’s not a failure – it was a test. Move on till you find what works for you. Proverbs chapter twelve and verse fifteen in the Message translation says:
“Fools are headstrong and do what they like; wise people take advice.” Proverbs 12:15 (MSG)
That brings us to our fourth point on how to walk in Godly wisdom:
4. Godly Wisdom Is MERCIFUL
Let’s look at our text again:
“The wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits…”
Do you jump on somebody every time that they make a mistake? Do you have a “scapegoat” in your family? A scapegoat, is someone you can blame if something goes wrong. Do you find others to blame when things fall apart? Do you remember the mistakes that people make and hold them over a person’s head – not willing to forgive and forget? Then you have a lack of mercy. If I’m wise – I won’t emphasize a person’s mistakes. I’ll give them what they need – not what they deserve. Proverbs chapter seventeen verse nine says:
“You will keep your friends if you forgive them, but you will lose your friends if you keep talking about what they did wrong.”
Proverbs 17:9 (CEV)
If you’re wise you don’t rub it in – you rub it out. You forgive. You encourage. When someone stumbles – you pick them up – you don’t step on them.
The good fruit mentioned here are the kind actions we show to others. You are to show kindness – you are to show compassion – you are to show mercy.
Our last point today is:
5. Godly Wisdom Is IMPARTIAL
Let’s look at verse seventeen one more time:
“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.” James 3:17 (NKJV)
In the Greek the words partiality and hypocrisy sound very much alike. They both sound like the word “hypocrite”. In the Greek theater there were only three actors in the entire play. What would happen was that the three actors would play different roles by holding different masks up to their faces. One person may play five or six roles in the play – by using a variety of masks. Do you know what the name of the mask was? The mask was “hypocrite”. It was a false front. It was a fake.
James says that if you are wise – you will not be a fake – you will not be a phony. You are not to be an actor – pretending – as you go through life. You are to be the real deal. If you say you are a Christian – then act like a Christian. Look at what Proverbs tells us:
“He who keeps his sins secret will not do well; but one who is open about them, and gives them up, will get mercy.” Proverbs 28:13 (BBE)
Folks – you’re not perfect – neither am I. We are humans saved by the grace of God. We all sin – we all fall short – we all miss the mark. But if we are going to get along with one another we need to show Godly wisdom in how we deal with one another.
How do you rate on the wisdom test? Do you walk in integrity and honesty? Are you truthful in your dealings with other people? Do you like to stir the pot – or do you seek peace with others? Do you listen to other’s advice? Do you dish out judgment or do you hand out mercy? Are you wearing a mask – pretending to be something you’re not – or are you the real deal? God wants us to live in Godly wisdom. How do we do that? Do you remember James told us how in chapter one. He said:
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” James 1:5 (NASV)
I want to live in Godly wisdom – don’t you? Let us ask God together for His wisdom.
Father, today I pray that You would grant us Godly wisdom. That we would have a lifestyle that displays Your wisdom in our lives. Forgive us where we fail You – and allow us to forgive others just as you have forgiven us. Amen.
