Get into 3 groups
Group 1 define the word “wisdom” like it would be in the dictionary
Group 2 define worldly wisdom
Group 3 define Godly wisdom
13 Who is wise and understanding among you?
Group 1
What is wisdom? (write down definitions in column 1)
Why do you think James lumped in understanding to this question?
In order to be understanding you need have empathy -
In order to have empathy - you had to learn from an experience
But what does James say about wisdom & understanding?
Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.
Here is the dictionary definition of wisdom:
wis·dom
1. The ability to discern or judge what is true, right, or lasting; insight.
2. Common sense; good judgment
3. a.The sum of learning through the ages; knowledge
b.Wise teachings of the ancient sages.
(point out similarities to group 1’s definition)
Wisdom is the reward you get for a lifetime of listening when you would have preferred to talk. Doug Larson.
James sums up in this first verse (13) that wisdom is shown by the way we act in our lives
But where does James go from here?
14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15 Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
What kind of wisdom is James talking about here? (worldly wisdom)
Take test:
1. How long would it take darkness to cover the earth if the sun went out?
O 4 1/2 minutes O 8 1/3 minutes O 25 minutes O 2 hours O 1 day
Correct answer: 8 1/3 minutes
2. What percentage of all forms of life that have existed on Earth are now extinct?
O 50% O 65% O 70% O 85% O 95%
Correct answer: 95%
3. What is the most air polluted city in the United States?
O Chicago, IL O Denver, CO O Los Angeles, CA O New York, NY O Seattle, WA
Correct answer: Los Angeles, CA
4. What is the average speed at which a beard grows per year?
O 40mm O 140mm O 240mm O 340mm O 440mm
Correct answer: 140mm
5. Anteaters actually prefer termites to ants. True or False?
O True O False
Correct answer: True
6. About how many dimples are there on a golf ball?
O 50 O 100 O 200 O 400 O 600
Correct answer: 400
7. How many eyes does an earthworm have?
O 0 O 1 O 2 O 4 O 8
Correct answer: 0
8. How much of a cucumber is water?
O 11% O 37% O 68% O 80% O 96%
Correct answer: 96%
9. It is estimated that about 7-million of these are thrown away every day. Is it...
O Publishers Clearing House entries O Tax dollars O Pennies O Michael Bolton C.D.s O Sheet of unused paper Correct answer: pennies
10. What animal does cashmere come from?
O goats O sheep O whales O lamas O bears
Correct answer: goats
How many got all 10 right? how bout 9...8?...7?
But in the worlds eyes - if you got all 10 right - you’d be pretty smart
You would have worldly wisdom
Group 2
What is worldly wisdom? (write down definitions in column 2)
So...James sums up in this first verse (13) that wisdom is shown by the way we act in our lives
But he also says that so-called wisdom for selfish purposes is not wisdom at all -
In fact it comes from hell -
Now where does James go next?
17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.
What kind of wisdom is James talking about here? (Godly wisdom)
Group 3
What is Godly wisdom? (write down definitions in column 3)
(Now under columns 1,2 & 3 place the words that James uses in verses 17 & 18)
James attributes the qualities of wisdom to these words:
Pure:
II Tim 2:20-22
20 In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble. 21 If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.
22 Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
Peace Loving:
Ps 85:10-13
10 Love and faithfulness meet together;
righteousness and peace kiss each other.
11 Faithfulness springs forth from the earth,
and righteousness looks down from heaven.
12 The LORD will indeed give what is good,
and our land will yield its harvest.
13 Righteousness goes before him
and prepares the way for his steps.
Considerate:
Rom 12:10
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.
Submissive:
Eph 5:21
21 Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Full of Mercy:
Mat 5:7
7Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Evidenced in good fruit:
Is 32:17
17 The fruit of righteousness will be peace;
the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever.
Impartial:
Matt 7:1
1"Do not judge, or you too will be judged.
Sincere:
I Tim 1:5
5The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.
Creates Peacemakers:
Matt 5:9
9Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called sons of God.
From these words, what’s the difference between wisdom from a dictionary - wisdom from a worldly perspective - wisdom from a Godly perspective.
They focus not on any of the definitions we collected together -
Rather, they focus on the attributes of how we should be living our Christian lives
Because all of our concepts of “wisdom” whether dictionary, worldly or Godly don’t match up to what God wants from us & the true wisdom he wishes us to have
Conclusion
I Cor 1:17-19
17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel--not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.
18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written:
"I will destroy the wisdom of the wise;
the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate."
The wisdom of this cross is foolishness to those perishing by the worlds wisdom.
Challenge: to pray for and to try to attain these attributes of true Godly wisdom
