Wisdom Series

James 1:5-8 Wisdom

Charles Haddon Spurgeon was a Particular Baptist Preacher from the mid to late 1800’s, in London, England. The story is told of a time he attended a preaching conference when a preacher who was preaching at the conference boldly announced that he had reached a point in his life when he no longer sinned.

That evening at the dinner table, Spurgeon poured a glass of milk over the man’s head and he demonstrated that he had not yet reached the point he bragged about earlier. I must confess, I experienced a similar incident this week.

In case you’re wondering, I have been doing better on my road rage issue. I have been praying for more people, listening to more of the Z and preaching while I’m driving, so I have been doing better, and honestly, I have been striving to count it all joy.

I’ve told the guy I drag trailers for that if things slow down, cut me first, as I have other work to do, and Gladys and I have been praying that my days would be cut so I could spend more time here. Thursday the owner told me that the roofing business was slowing down so he would need me less days. I was so excited. I called Gladys and we celebrated.

I honestly started thinking, “Well, I’m doing better on this road rage thing, so the Lord is being gracious and is getting me out of this.” That is, until I got near Providence on the way home. I was pulling a loaded trailer toward the church, so someone in the right turn only lane decided they needed to squeeze in front of me and move over to the left-turn only lane. Then as I approached the light even closer, another car in the right turn only lane decides to merge in front of us. Then, up near Champlain, an older woman, in the middle of rush hour traffic catches a break in the west bound traffic on Doyle, and just starts crossing the road in the middle of traffic. I end up having to hit the brakes and the only reason my trailer tires didn’t smoke is because the road was wet.

I guess the Lord was reminding me that I still have a long way to go in counting it all joy in my own life. Even so, We are moving on this morning to verses 5-8 in James chapter 1. So look there with me please.

- Read James 1:5-8

If any of you lack wisdom he should ask. What is wisdom?

The wisdom spoken of here is not just general knowledge. It is God-given wisdom, or knowledge for a particular situation.

We have to remember that this wisdom is spoken of in the context of trials. So it is a wisdom, a knowledge given to help us when the trials come. Now, looking at this passage, I see 4 conditions required in order to receive this wisdom. First a person must realize he needs wisdom.

I. CONDITIONS TO RECIEVING WISDOM

1. Realize you need wisdom

Look there again at verse 5.

- Read James 1:5

The first condition to receiving wisdom is to admit that you need it. You have to acknowledge, you have to admit that there is something lacking in your knowledge base. Let’s be honest, these days, that’s something not everyone will admit. Not everyone will admit that there is something they don’t know.

Save your places and turn with me please to Acts chapter 6 and verse 8.

- Read Acts 6:8-10

Stephen, one of the first deacons in the New Testament church, was speaking in public. He was sharing the gospel. Verse 10 tells us that the people opposing him were unable to stand up against his wisdom and the Spirit by whom he was speaking.

In other words, this man was filled with the Holy Spirit, and was speaking with the wisdom given to him directly from heaven. And how did the people respond?

- Read Acts 7:54-58

How did they respond when a Spirit-filled man began to share wisdom and truth with them? They screamed, gnashed their teeth, covered their ears, and attacked him with violence.

Doesn’t that sound a lot like what we see happening in our streets these days? Doesn’t that sound a lot like what we seeing happening in these defund the police, or pro Palestine protests? Doesn’t that sound a lot like what we see happening on our college campuses? Don’t give me facts. Don’t tell me the truth. I have decided what I believe and if you offer anything to contradict what I believe I’ll just holler or attack you until you quit. The weaker my argument, the louder I’ll holler.

It doesn’t just happen on the streets. It also happens in our homes and on social media.