The Principal Thing
James 3:13-18
Vonage has made a lot of money with a catchy theme song, Whew who, who, who, who, silly commercials, my favorite is the wife talking about switching to Vonage and the husband dancing in the next room. And a simple statement, “People do stupid things.”
In our study of James we are learning, Practical Christian Living. James now moves from words to wisdom. First James addressed the power of words, but even a lost person can at times control their tongue. So James contrasts the foolish wisdom of the world with Godly wisdom from above.
It is true that, “People do stupid things.” God however has a different plan. God gives wisdom to all how ask for it. God’s word tells us that the most important thing we can do in life is to seek this wisdom from above. Listen to what the Bible says, Proverbs 4:7, “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.” (KJV) God’s Word calls wisdom, “The Principal Thing.
The most precious things we can pursue is Godly wisdom. The Bible says in Proverbs 16:16, “How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!” (KJV) Why is wisdom so important? Well I think we’d all agree this morning we have all don at least one stupid thing.
Wisdom by definition is, “The ability to discern or judge what is true, right, or lasting; insight; common sense; good judgment, the sum of learning through the ages; knowledge.
Wisdom is not always linked with age, experience or education. Take children for instance. Patrick, age 10, says, “Never trust a dog to watch your food.” Michael, age 14, says, “When your dad is mad at you and asks, ‘Do I look stupid?’ don’t answer him.” Wise man that Michael, he also said, “Never tell your mom her diet isn’t working.”
There is a big difference between ungodly or worldly wisdom and Godly wisdom. Warren Buffett is the second richest man in the world. He is worth over 44 billion. In June of 2005, buffet decided to raise money for his charitable foundation, by offering an online auction in e-bay for someone to have lunch with him. The winning bid was $351,100—the price of access to the world’s second richest man.
If the value of worldly wisdom is that high for a lunch appointment; what price would we put on the wealth of wisdom we have right here in God’s Word? Let’s examine the contrast today of Godly wisdom and ungodly wisdom.
I. Godly Wisdom (13, 17-18) The Bible asks the question who is wise and understanding among you? Wise describes someone with moral insight and skill in the practical issues of life. Understand refers to one who is an intellectual and comprehends the world of science.
The Bible is defining the vast sum of wisdom and claiming how that wisdom will be demonstrated.
A. Shown in conduct (v.13a, 17) Godly wisdom is demonstrated in a life surrendered to God. This person does not have to boast about how wise they are, all will see it lived out in front of them.
Remember the Bible had earlier told us in James that anyone who was religious but didn’t keep a tight reign on their tongue their religion was worthless. We have also learned that to be a Christian is more than saying we are a Christian, we must Prove it by the life we live.
James now outlines how this is done. He says in v.13 that our good conduct our works, will be evidenced by seven traits found in v.17:
1. Pure—the word means clean or innocent. This is the wisdom that accomplishes good works with no false motives involved. It is person whose life is a testimony of pure character and honesty before God.
2. Peaceable—doesn’t mean a push-over. It is someone who strives to be at peace. One who remains calm under stress and has let go of anxiety.
3. Gentle—a person who is mild mannered and patient.
4. Willing to Yield—not one who is easily persuaded but one who can listen to all sides and is willing to do the right thing even if it isn’t their idea. They have a teachable spirit.
5. Full of Mercy and Good fruits—their life is a life of compassion and honesty. They are known by their forgiving spirit and their impeccable character.
6. without partiality—impartial. They do not take sides or involve themselves in frivolous arguments. They seek to be peacemakers.
7. without hypocrisy—they are genuine. What you see is what you get. They will not tell one person one thing or another something else.
This is how our conduct is supposed to be. We are to demonstrate these traits in our daily conversation our daily conduct should resemble Godliness.
B. Shown in character (v.13b, 18) v.13 tells us what kind of character we should show through our lives, “meekness of wisdom.” We tend to think meekness is weakness, but the word picture in the Greek for meekness is a horse under control.
James has already shown us last week in v.3 that we put bits in horse’s mouths to direct them where they need to go. Our character should be directed by God, and if it is then the power of God is flowing through our lives.
Those who possess this character, those who are truly wise are empowered with their wisdom from on high. The fruit or evidence of this conduct is the righteousness in our lives. That word righteousness means character. The character of a Godly life is shown in peace. The word peace means prosperity.
Oh I could really spend a week right here in v.18, but I won’t. Let me remind you of two passages that illustrate what the Bible is saying here. Psalm 1:1-3
“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.” (NKJ) Listen also to Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (NIV)
God is saying the conduct and the character of this Christian will be seen by all and blessed from above.
II. Ungodly Wisdom (v.14-16) America today is looking for wisdom from the world. Oprah, Dr. Phil seem to be the leading authority for America to find help for their struggles.
In Dr. Os Guinness’ article entitled “America’s Last Men and Their Magnificent Talking Cure” he talks about how America has become the world capital of psychological-mind-set and therapeutic endeavor. Although America had only 6% of the world’s population, it boasted over a third of the world’s psychiatrists, and over half the world’s clinical psychologists. 80 million Americans have now sought help from therapists. An estimated 10 million are doing so every year.
Folks I’m not anti-psychiatry, but we sure need to be seeking biblical counseling if we are truly seeking wisdom from above. Notice this ungodly wisdom.
A.It’s Attitude (v.14a) “bitter envying.” Where there is bitterness it possesses the whole life. It’s when a person holds on to a hurt from years gone by. Envying what someone else has.
James is painting a picture of an unwise person that is afraid of losing something. They become uncooperative and competitive.
B. It’s Ambition (v.14a) “self-seeking” this person is asking what’s in it for me. The phrase actually means someone who shows an inordinate desire for power or prestige. It is hidden motives of wanting our own way. **V.14b**
C. It’s Action (v.14b) “in your hearts” the heart is the origin of all moral actions. We saw that with the tongue last week. Jesus said in
Matthew 12:34, “For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.” (NIV)
Jesus also said this in Matthew 15:18-19, “But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man 'unclean.' For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.” (NIV)
1. pattern (v.14c) “lie not against the truth” it is self-deceptive; when jealousy and self-seeking prevail in the heart we lie to ourselves. We begin to base our thinking of someone or some situation based entirely on lies.
Write this passage down. It is written from Paul to pastor Timothy but it is a powerful passage that explains this pattern of self-deception;
2 Tim 2:24-26, “And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.” (NIV)
2. position (v.15) This wisdom does not come from above. This is the wisdom of the world, but really it is the wisdom from the evil one. It can be called psychology, philosophy, science or religion.
Sigmund Freud, the father of modern psychology, hated Christianity. He called himself, “a completely Godless Jew, and a hopeless pagan.” That was his position; In 1918 he wrote, “I have found little that is good about human beings on the whole. In my experience most of them are trash.” Unfinished Business, (pg.121)
a. Natural (v.15a) “earthly” speaks of this wisdom that comes from the world’s system. It’s tied to this world. It looks to the earthly standard of morality, success and counsel. This way of thinking has earthly motives and earthly methods.
b. Sensual (v.15b) it is opposed to spiritual. This wisdom is unspiritual. William Barclay in his commentary says this wisdom acts like an animal. It’s only thought is personal pleasure and fleshly desires. One only has to look to Hollywood to see this wisdom and how it has influenced our culture today.
c. Devilish (v.15c) It is demonically influenced. This thinking can appear to be brilliant but in reality it is misguided and dangerous. John Wesley translated this word, “such as Satan breathes into the soul.” Jealousy and bitterness are the evidences of demonic influence.
1. purpose (v.16) God’s Word says here that where these things exist confusion and evil are evident. Remember James is speaking to the brethren according to v.10. The purpose is twofold:
a. Unruly (v.16a) “confusion” that is what the enemy wants to do in our lives and in our churches cause confusion. It is the same word we examined last week in v.8 Unruly, or unstable. If the enemy can make you or I become unruly or unstable then our lives and churches will be filled with people relying on earthly wisdom rather than Godly wisdom. Satan wants us operating in our own strength, because then we won’t walk in faith.
b. Useless (v.16b) “every evil thing” every evil practice will be there. Evil translates as useless or good for nothing. When the righteousness of Godly wisdom is absent every evil practice exists. This is how the enemy destroys us. Christians and churches can commit evil, because they are relying on earthly, fleshly, demonic wisdom to be the influence in their lives.
Rather than seeking God’s wisdom, God’s standard for their lives many believers have been brainwashed by the world and the church has lost its power and influence because the people have allowed the world to infiltrate the church.
Conclusion: Carl Sandberg, the American poet, wrote a massive volume on President Abraham Lincoln and the war years. The 68th chapter has an interesting title borrowed from a woodsman’s proverb. Its title is, “A Tree is Best Measured when it is Down.” You see, you cannot accurately measure the height of a tree until it is cut down. The point Sandberg was making was that only after the death of Lincoln could people assess the value and impact of his life.
But Lincoln’s many achievements were not at all as impressive as those of another man. This man was an author, diplomat, poet, song writer, theologian, a philosopher, philanthropist, architect, builder, engineer, extremely wealthy, and a king.
Listen to what his dad told him in Proverbs 4:3-7, “For I was my father's son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother. He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live. Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth. Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee. Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.” (KJV)
Young Solomon listened to his father King David. In 2 Chronicles 1:7, God asked Solomon to ask for whatever he wanted. In v.10 Solomon asked for wisdom and knowledge to lead God’s people.
King Solomon was the wealthiest, wisest man to ever live. The nation of Israel prospered under his leadership unlike any other time in their history. However, the King’s heart was turned in 1 Kings 11. The wisdom he had acquired as God’s gift he abandoned for earthly, sensual, demonic influence.
“Who is wise and understanding among you?” When our lives are measured do we show God’s wisdom in our daily walk?
PRAY
