PRACTICAL CHRISTIAN LIVING #7
Godly Wisdom and Spiritual Maturity
James 3:13 Who is wise and has understanding among you? He should show his works by good conduct with wisdom’s gentleness. 14 But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your heart, don’t brag and deny the truth. 15 Such wisdom does not come from above but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where envy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every kind of evil. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without favoritism and hypocrisy. 18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who cultivate peace.
INTRO: This morning we will continue in this series through the Book of James on Practical Christian Living. The Book of James was written to help us understand our relationship with God, and our relationship with each other better; to help us attain spiritual maturity; and to teach us how to live out our Christian faith.
Let's review what we've learned so far in this series:
In week 1 we learned who James was, whom his letter was written to, the purpose it was written, and the importance of this teaching.
In week 2 we learned that our faith will be tested, how to overcome trials, and how to transform the trials of life into triumphs.
In week 3 we learned that God calls us to be doers of His Word and not merely hearers - the blessing comes from the doing, not the hearing.
In week 4 we were warned about the destructive sin of favoritism, prejudice, racism - we learned how God is not partial, and we learned how a Christian should properly relate to others who are different from us. We learned to recognize that although we may look differently, or come from different places, or belong to different socio-economic groups, we are all ONE in the Body of Christ
In week 5, we learned that faith and works go hand in hand. A faith that does not produce the work of Christ within us, is no faith at all. Real faith will always produce the work of Christ. Our faith must be demonstrated through our works.
Last week, we learned that God expects His people to control the use of our tongues. We looked at some of the most common ways in which we abuse the gift of speech. We also learned the proper way that God expects us to use our words in a positive manner. This is an extremely important issue that we must get right. If you weren't here last week, I encourage you to go to our Facebook page or website and watch this message. Not only to watch it, but allow the Holy Spirit speak to you through the message as you are watching.
As we continue to move forward through this series, this morning we will ask and answer 3 important questions: 1) What is true wisdom and where does it comes from? 2) What are the problems created by a lack of wisdom? and, 3) What will true wisdom produce in our lives?
One powerful truth that I want you to get from today's message, is that True Wisdom and Spiritual Maturity go hand in hand. You can't have one without the other. In fact, as we will see through the course of today's message, Spiritual Maturity is the one true sign that a person has received and is walking in the true wisdom of God. You can't reach Spiritually maturity without True Godly wisdom. And, only true wisdom produces maturity, which in turn effects every aspect of our life, from our thought process to our outward actions, including our speech.
I. WHAT IS TRUE WISDOM AND WHERE DOES IT COME FROM?
James 3:13 Who is wise and has understanding among you? He should show his works by good conduct with wisdom’s gentleness.
A. True Wisdom is the ability to apply the knowledge of God's Word.
There's a lot of misconception when it comes to what wisdom and knowledge are, and the role each play in our life. They are both interconnected and inseparable. Yet, play distinctly different roles. Let's compare the difference between wisdom and knowledge:
Knowledge is the accumulation of facts. It is something we obtain throughout our life (or should). I believe that each of us should be committed to being a life-long learner. We obtain knowledge through several various means such as reading, watching, or personal experience. Studying our Bibles each day, participating in weekly small group Bible studies, and listening closely and taking notes during the weekly sermon, are some of the most common ways that we can obtain knowledge of God, His will and His ways.
Wisdom is knowing how to properly apply the knowledge we have obtained from God's Word into every situation in life. It is the God-given ability to make correct judgements and decisions based on the truth of His Word.
Knowledge is obtained through our efforts, but Wisdom is developed within us by the Holy Spirit.
Illustration (Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad)
B. So where does True wisdom come from?
True Wisdom only comes from Our Heavenly Father.
James 3:15 Such wisdom does not come from above but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where envy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every kind of evil. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without favoritism and hypocrisy.
Notice that James compares the True Wisdom, which comes from God, with the "Wisdom" of the world, which in reality is not wisdom, but is in fact "demonic" deception.
James teaches us in no uncertain terms that any "wisdom" that doesn't come from God above is "earthly, unspiritual, demonic."
Throughout the Scriptures, both OT and NT, we are reminded of where True Wisdom comes from:
Proverbs 2:6 For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.
James 1:5 Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without criticizing, and it will be given to him.
Notice how the Apostle Paul contrasts the True Wisdom from God with the earthly, human wisdom:
1 Corinthians 1:25 because God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength.
Paul says even the "foolishness" of God is "wiser than human wisdom."
We must apply ourselves to obtain the knowledge of God through studying His Word. Then, we must seek Him through prayer to develop this wisdom in our lives through the working of the Holy Spirit.
II. WHAT ARE THE PROBLEMS CREATED BY A LACK OF WISDOM?
The Scriptures teach of many problems that are created in our personal lives, our families, and in our churches, as a direct result of a lack of Godly Wisdom and Spiritual Maturity. James lumps these into two general sins:
James 3:14 But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your heart, don’t brag and deny the truth. 15 Such wisdom does not come from above but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where envy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every kind of evil.
The two sins that James lists here are bitter envy and selfish ambition. He goes on to say that these two are such bad sins, that when they exist in a persons life, it opens the door to all manner of "disorder and every kind of evil." I think you would agree with me that it's important we understand the devastating effect these two sins produce in our lives, so that we can make certain we keep our lives free from them.
A. What is Bitter Envy?
Let's break this down into the original Greek to get a better understanding of the meaning of these words.
Our word "bitter" comes from the Greek word "pikros" which means "acrid or malignant."
Our word "envy" comes from the Greek word "zelos." This is an interesting word which has a dual meaning depending upon the context in which it is used. It can be used in a positive context to mean "zeal, or eagerness." Or, it can be used in a negative context, such as here in James 3, to mean, "intense jealousy, or bitter rivalry."
Now when you put the two words together in this context, it means a malignant intense jealousy - a jealousy that has become like a cancer to the body and soul - a cancer that blinds us to all that God wants to do in and through us, and consumes everything good in our lives. Bitter envy taints our relationship with our Heavenly Father and also every earthly relationship we will ever have as long a it remains within us.
B. What is Selfish Ambition?
Before we go any further, I feel that I must clarify one point. There is a difference between Godly ambition and selfish ambition. Ambition in itself is not sinful. We ought to all be ambitious for certain good things in our life. You ought to be ambitious to accomplish something big for God in your life. You ought to be ambitious to make a difference in the lives of others. You ought to be ambitious to make a better life for your family. You ought to be ambitious to leave behind a Godly legacy for your children and grandchildren to follow. This type of ambition is not sinful, because it is not selfish, nor is it what James is condemning here in this passage.
Now, as we did a moment ago, let's break this term down into the original Greek to get a better understanding of the meaning of these words.
The term, "selfish ambition" comes from the Greek word, "eritheia" which means, "to act for one's own selfish gain, regardless of the discord or strife it causes; to place self-interest ahead of what the Lord declares right, or what is good for others.
To put it plainly, if we have selfish ambition in our heart, it means that we place our own wants above the wants and needs of everyone else, and we won't care who gets hurt in the process, or who we have to use or abuse to get what we want. A person with selfish ambition will stop at nothing to fulfill their desires. They will steal, cheat, lie, even commit murder.
C. The cure for these two sins, as it is with all sin, is found in confession and repentance.
James 3:14 But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your heart, don’t brag and deny the truth.
James tells us that if we have these sins in our heart not to deny the truth, but to face the truth head on, and to deal with it through confession and repentance.
How many of you know by now that it does us no good to deny the truth?
Those of you who have been with us here at Metro Grace for any length of time have heard me say many times, "There are 2 types of people: those who are messed up and admit it, and those who are in denial."
Why is it so important that we face the truth of our own sinfulness even when it's uncomfortable?
(TLB) Jeremiah 6:14 You can’t heal a wound by saying it’s not there!
Denial prevents us from receiving the forgiveness and help from God that we so desperately need! When we are struggling with any sin in our life, it is absolutely imperative that we bring it out into the open, and go to God and confess it! Then we must turn away from that sin and turn to God's perfect plan for our life.
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Acts 3:19 Therefore repent and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped out, that seasons of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.
Trust the Lord enough to confess your sin to Him, and then watch Him do a wonderful work in your life!
My friends, we must always seek to be filled with God's True Wisdom to make certain we prevent these two grievous sins from taking root in our hearts!
III. WHAT WILL TRUE WISDOM PRODUCE IN OUR LIVES?
James 3:17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without favoritism and hypocrisy. 18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who cultivate peace.
A. Purity in Our Understanding (first pure)
True wisdom comes from an understanding of God's Word. That's why it's pure. It is untainted by the worlds philosophies or opinions. True wisdom recognizes that God's Word is always best and is the final authority for all areas of our life. True wisdom produces a purity in our life that reflects the truths revealed through God's Word.
B. A Love For Peace (peace-loving)
True wisdom produces within us a love for peace.
Romans 12:18 If possible, on your part, live at peace with everyone.
Hebrews 12:14 Pursue peace with everyone, and holiness—without it no one will see the Lord.
Illustration (No Drama Zone) We live in a drama filled society. Every where you look there's people involved in drama filled situations. We even celebrate so-called reality tv shows where we watch other people's drama. There's even drama in the church between Christian people. This should not be so! A drama filled life is a sure sign of a lack of wisdom and maturity.
True wisdom produces a love for peace in our hearts that refuses to be drawn into the drama and division of the world. True wisdom takes away our desire to argue and fight, and replaces it with a desire for peace with all people.
C. Gentleness of Spirit (gentle)
True wisdom produces gentleness within us. This is not to be confused with weakness. Gentleness is not weakness, but it is a sign of true strength. It is strength under control of the master.
Gentleness has the power to retaliate against that person who said something ugly to you, or mistreated you, or did you dirty. But, instead wisdom chooses to respond with grace and mercy in the same way our Heavenly Father responds to us when we fail Him or sin against Him.
D.Compliance With God's Will (compliant)
True wisdom recognizes that God's way is always the best way, and that God is worthy of our obedience. So the truly wise person submits every area of their life to God's Will.
E. Abundant Mercy for Others (full of mercy)
True wisdom understand the power of mercy and recognizes that we would be hopeless without God's mercy in our life. This understanding in turn produces mercy within us towards us. Wisdom also understands the importance God places upon us demonstrating mercy towards others.
Matthew 6:14 “For if you forgive people their wrongdoing, your heavenly Father will forgive you as well. 15 But if you don’t forgive people, your Father will not forgive your wrongdoing
True Wisdom produces abundant mercy in our hearts!
F. The Good Fruit of the Spirit in Our Lives (good fruits)
When the Bible speaks of bearing fruit, it is speaking of the works that are being produced through our life.
Matthew 7:17 In the same way, every good tree produces good fruit, but a bad tree produces bad fruit. 18 A good tree can’t produce bad fruit; neither can a bad tree produce good fruit. 19 Every tree that doesn’t produce good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 So you’ll recognize them by their fruit.
True wisdom produces fruit in our life that reflects the work of Christ.
G. Christlike Heart for Others (without favoritism)
True wisdom produces a heart within us that is free from favoritism, prejudice, racism, and partiality.
James 2:1 My brothers, do not show favoritism as you hold on to the faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ.
True wisdom produces a Christ-like heart within us that looks past race, ethnicity, socio-economic status, and other outward characteristics, and reflects the love of Christ for every person.
H. A Lifestyle Consistent with God's Word (without hypocrisy)
When unchurched people are asked why they aren't attending church, the most prevalent answer always given, is that they are turned off by the hypocrisy of many church attenders. True wisdom recognizes the importance of getting this right, and it produces a lifestyle consistent with God's Word and without hypocrisy.
CONC: Which type of wisdom are you living by? The true wisdom that comes from God? Or, the so-called wisdom of the world which is not wisdom at all? Are you seeking God for true wisdom and allowing His wisdom to produce good fruit in your life? Or, would you have to honestly admit that your life is lacking Godly wisdom and maturity right now. If you are willing to be open and honest with God; to confess that you have not been living in His wisdom; God will forgive you. Then if you sincerely ask Him to give you true wisdom, His Word promises that He grant your prayer:
James 1:5 Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without criticizing, and it will be given to him.
I encourage you this morning to ask God to help us in this area.
