A Life of Works Produced By Faith
Part 14
“True Verses False Wisdom”
Date: November 3, 2002
Place: Allendale Baptist Church
Text: James 3:13-18
Introduction
We continue our study in the book of James picking up in chapter 3. We have said over and over again, I believe it is worth repeating this morning; James is addressing Christians. He is giving practical advise on the life of one that truly desires to life a life pleasing to God.
This message may seems to be a continuation of chapter 1:5 which tells us; “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” Wisdom for the Jews was a very important thing. They realized it was not just enough to have knowledge you had to have wisdom to be able to use the knowledge correctly.
It is a very noble desire to be a teacher and or preacher of the Word of God. There are so many that have a desire to teach & preach; many that say; “I have something to say”; or who desire to stand before God’s people and say words. My friend if you feel that is what you need to do, first you must be certain God is calling you to teach and preach. But if God has placed a calling in your life to teach the Word of God you had better get busy doing it. To be effective in imparting the truth of God, you do need to have a knowledge and wisdom.
Someone has said knowledge enables us to take things apart, but wisdom enables us to put things together and relate God’s truth to daily life. Each of us has heard preachers say knowledgeable things but miss the heart of God’s message and fail to relate truth to everyday life. Many we hear today are reading from the Word of God and not imparting the truth; they are spitting out false wisdom
It seems to be the kind of knowledge & wisdom James is speaking of. So this morning in our text, we and see the battle between true & false wisdom.
First lets notice…
I. The Origins of Wisdom (verses 15-17)
A. True wisdom comes from above, it comes from God, but the false wisdom comes from below. In other words, there is a heavenly and a worldly wisdom.
1. One thing we can be sure of that that wisdom that does not come from God will fail, no matter how successful it may seem to be at the time.
B. The bible gives us many examples of the foolishness of man’s wisdom.
1. Genesis 11:1-9 tells us of the idea man had to build the tower of Babel, but in the end it failed and ended in confusion.
2. Genesis 12:10-20 tells us Abraham though it was wise to enter Egypt when famine struck Canaan, but the results proved otherwise.
3. In Acts 27 the expert sailors though it was wise to leave port and travel to Rome even though the apostle Paul disagreed. They lived to regret their decision.
C. James tells us in verse 15 “This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual and demonic”. James tells us we have three views of false wisdom
1. Earthly wisdom.
a. Think about this for a moment; we have those who have discovered that the body is made up a very complex make-up of DNA, chromosomes and other things my mind does not have the capability to explain or understand. We have others that have unlocked the secrets of the universe concerning the atmosphere and space. But when it comes to giving acknowledgment to a Holy, living God that created all things they cannot accept or phantom the idea.
b. The world by its wisdom knew not God, and thereby rejects the very Gospel.
c. 1 Corinthians 1:18 Says; “For the preaching of the Cross is to them that perish foolishness.”
2. Sensual or Natural Wisdom-
a. 1 Corinthians 2:14 tell us; “But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”
b. The main idea here is that mans fallen nature id opposed to the new nature that is available from God.
c. This is a wisdom that gets its origin from man’s nature totally apart from the Spirit of God
d. Some may refer to this as common sense.
3. Devilish Wisdom-
a. Since the devil successfully deceived Adam & Eve in the garden, there has been a “Wisdom of Satan” at work in this world.
b. How else can you explain the horrible acts violence and terror we see each and every day around our world?
c. The Bible tells us that Satan is cunning and clever and tries to destroy all that is good.
d. This demonic wisdom is at war with Godly wisdom.
e. He has wisdom that will confuse you if you do not have the wisdom of God.
D. In contrast for the believer we have as James tells us “Wisdom from above.
1. The Christian looks up to heaven for all that he needs.
a. Phil.3: 20 tells us our citizenship is in heaven
b. Just as our Father is in heaven
c. Matthew 6:19 say our treasures are in heaven, and not of this world.
d. John 3:1-7 says; we are not of this world “we are born from above.”
2. For the child of God, Jesus is our wisdom
a. Col.2:3; “In Jesus are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge”
3. The Word of God is our wisdom
a. 2 Timothy 3:15 tells us; The Scriptures are able to make us “wise unto salvation”.
The origin of true wisdom is God. And to seek any other is asking for trouble. My friend get your wisdom from God…
Since the origins of wisdom are different they must also operate differently also.
II. The Operations of Wisdom (verses 13-14, 17)
A. Evidences of false wisdom
1. Envy- This word can also be defined as selfish ambition or zeal
a. The wisdom of the world says we must promote ourselves. Your as good as every one else.
b. Even in the church Christains say I deserve to be in that position.
c. It is sad to say there is a lot of selfish and carnal promotion among God’s people.
d. Remember the disciple even argued among themselves who would be the greatest in the kingdom
2. Strife- This word means conflict
a. Philippians 2:3; “Let nothing be done through strife and vainglory, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than themselves.”
3. Boasting- this means to talk in access about one’s own accomplishments.
a. When a person is working under the wisdom of God there will be no self-seeking pride, but a willingness to give God the glory.
4. Deceit- James warns the believers not to lie against the truth.
B. Now lets turn to the evidences of Godly wisdom
1. Meekness- I have given this definition many times. Meekness is not weakness, it is power under control.
2. Purity- this indicates the importance of holiness in the life of a child of God.
3. Peace- this is opposite of strife. In the church if there is a desire for holiness, there will be peace among believers
a. The church nor Christians can never have peace by sweeping sins under the rug and pretending they are not present in their lives.
b. God’s Word says; “Confess sin and My peace will keep things together.”
4. Gentleness- someone said the gentle person does not deliberately cause fights, but also does not compromise the truth in order to keep peace.
5. Compliance- “willing to yield” Gods wisdom makes the believer agreeable and easy to work with. He is “swift to hear and slow to speak
6. Mercy – To be full of something means to be controlled by.
a. Luke 6:36 tells us; “Be merciful, as your Father is merciful.”
7. Good Fruits- People that are faithful are fruitful. The wisdom of God does not produce an empty life.
8. Without Partiality- I have preached 3 sermons on this so I will not comment but to say, that a life in submission to God’s will, will no show favoritism.
9. Sincerity- this means genuine or “without hypocrisy”
a. What do folks often say about the church; “It is full of hypocrites.
III. The Outcomes of Wisdom (verses 16, 18)
A. Worldly wisdom produces trouble and confusion
1. 2 Corinthians 12:20 gives us a description of a confused church
2. A church full of contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, backbiting, whisperings, conceits, and tumults.
3. James says along with Paul the Christian life and also the church is no place for such things.
B. Godly wisdom produces blessings.
1. James uses the word fruit in verse 18.
2. As I close let me say the there is a great difference between man-made results and God given fruit.
3. I was reminded as I read one of my commentaries, fruit is the product of life and fruit has in it the seeds to produce more fruit
4. Warren Wiersbe says; “The Christian life is a life of sowing and reaping. The Christian who obey God’s wisdom sows righteousness, not sin, he sows peace not strife. What we are is what we live, and what we live is what we sow. If we live in God’s wisdom we sow righteousness and will reap blessings.”
It is a serious thing to be a troublemaker among God’s family. One of the things God hates is that of sowing “discord among the brethren” Proverbs 6:16-19. read it.
Working in the wisdom of the world causes trouble but seeking and working in the wisdom of God brings forth blessings.
Proverbs 3:13-16; “Happy is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding. For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver and her gain than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies, and all the things you may desire cannot compare with her. Length of days is in her right hand. In her left hand riches and honor.”
The beginning of this wisdom is a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. It is available to you today.
Invitation
