Seek Wisdom Series

James: Practical Faith 

James 3:13-18

Pastor Jefferson M. Williams

Chenoa Baptist Church 

10-27–2024

Unwise

In 1912, a French tailor, Franz Reichelt, climbed 200 feet up the Eiffel Tower. He was going to prove his invention worked. His friends thought this was unwise and begged him to use a dummy first to see what happens. But Franz wouldn’t be deterred. He waved to the crowd and jumped.

Instead of gentle and gracefully floating to the ground he fell like a sack of potatoes and died of a heart attack before he even hit the ground.

If he had listened to the wisdom of his friends, this story might hav ended differently.

Tests of Spiritual Maturity

James is a practical book and her is most interested in our spiritual maturity.

So far, we’ve seen the test of trials, temptations, how we handle the Word, how we handle other people, how our faith results in good fruit, and how our words can glorify God.

This morning, James is going to make a contrast between two

types of wisdom - human wisdom and wisdom from above.

There are wise words we can use to build others up and unwise words that cause heartache.

[Tim Hawkins: These are the Things you Don’t Say to Your Wife video]

Solomon had an experience that many of us would love to have. God came to him and said, “Ask for anything you want and I’ll give it to you.”

Solomon’s answer is shocking:

“Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?” (I Kings 3:8-9)

God granted his request and made him the wisest king that Israel had ever known:

“I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be.” (I Kings 3:12)

Solomon wrote to his sons about the central importance of wisdom: 

"Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn away from them. Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding." (Proverbs 4:5-7)

One of my favorite preachers, Dr. Frank Pollard, defined wisdom as "sanctified common sense."  

What animal is associated with wisdom? The owl.

The goddess Athena was always pictured with an owl on her arm, representing wisdom.

Owls have large eyes, a resolute posture, and they are silent, always listening, which is a noble skill:

“Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues.” (Proverbs 17:28)

The Greeks were constantly seeking after wisdom. In fact, thy had an entire discipline dedicated to it - philosophy.

The Jewish notion of wisdom is always connected to the fear of God.

The theme verse of Proverbs, which uses the word wise/wisdom 54 times, makes this clear:

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” (Prov 1:7)

In fact, there are five books of the Bible that we call wisdom literature: Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon.

Being educated doesn’t necessarily make you wise. You don’t automatically become wise by growing older.

Wisdom is the application of knowledge leading to godly action.

Please turn with me to James 3.

Prayer.

Who? Who?

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.

James begins by asking a question. Remember that chapter three began with these haunting words:

Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. 

This question is directed at the teachers in their midst but he also applies more generally.

I asked this question on Facebook this week. I asked who was the wisest person you have ever known.

Yoda

Another responded that her therapist is very wise

Another responded that the couple that discipled her was very wise.

Two people responded that their dads were the wisest person they have known

James said that the godly kind of wisdom is just like faith - you can see it in action.

A friend from Mississippi elaborated on what made her dad so wise:

“He influenced me by his character, work ethic, intelligence, and calm, rational demeanor. I've never known anyone with more friends everywhere we ever lived or visited - he never met a stranger. He had the ability to influence and lead, always in a positive manner.

He stood up for people who could not stand up for for themselves causing others to want to do the same. He taught me to value education and set my goals and never doubt I could achieve them. He influenced my career choice which evolved into "a calling" instead of a job.