Wise Or Unwise Series

WISE or UNWISE:

James 3:13-18

{13} Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds

in the gentleness of wisdom. {14} But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in

your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. (15} This wisdom is not that which

comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. {16} For where jealousy and

selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing. (17) But the wisdom from above

is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering,

without hypocrisy. {18} And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

INTRODUCTION:

John and Dave were hiking when they spotted a mountain lion staring at them. John froze in his tracks, but Dave sat down on a log, tore off his hiking boots, pulled a pair of running shoes from his backpack and hurriedly began to put them on.

"For crying out loud, you can’t outrun a mountain lion!" John hissed. "I don’t have to," shrugged Dave. "I just have to outrun you."

The text asks if we have wisdom and then tells us two different kinds of wisdom are available. Please note these points of the text as I develop this message.

1. Wise or Unwise: The Inquiry About . . . . Having Wisdom. v 13-14

2. Wise or Unwise: The Indication About . . Hellish Wisdom. v 15-16

3. Wise or Unwise: The Indication About . . Heavenly Wisdom. v 17-18

1. Wise or Unwise: The Inquiry About . . Having Wisdom. v 13-14

{13} Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds

in the gentleness of wisdom. {14} But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your

heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth.

EXPLANATION

A. The . . Confirmation of Having Wisdom. v 13

1. If you have it people will know it.

B. The . . Contradiction of Having Wisdom. v 14

1. Bitter Strong’s # 4089 pikros (pik-ros’); perhaps from 4078 (through the idea of piercing); sharp

(pungent), 4078 pegnumi (payg’-noo-mee); to fix ("peg"), i.e. (specially) to set up (a tent):

2. Jealousy Strong’s # 2205 zelos (dzay’-los); from 2204; "zeal" Strong’s # 2204 zeo (dzeh’-o); a

primary verb; to be hot (boil, of liquids; or glow, of solids),

3. Selfish ambition or Strife Strong’s # 2052 eritheia (er-ith-i’-ah); perhaps as the same as 2042;

Strong’s # 2042 erethizo (er-eth-id’-zo); from a form of 2054; to stimulate (especially to anger):

4. Arogant or Boast Stro.’s # 2620 (kat-ak-ow-khah’-om-ahee); 2596 and 2744; to exult

ILLUSTRATION Lee Roberson page 240-241

I read about a gentleman who once entered a store that sold fine glass and Chinaware. Approaching the proprietor he said, "I would like to buy all of the glasses that are pitched in the key of A".

The owner of the store, looking amused, said, "Well, friend we don’t buy glasses for their musical qualities, so I cannot tell you which ones have the proper key!"

The inquirer then took a tuning fork from his pocket and struck it on the counter. Immediately every glass pitched in the Key of A on the shelf responded.

When the soul is saved, we respond to the voice of God. We delight in His teachings. We are in tune with His commands.

APPLICATION

Do you have wisdom?

2. Wise or Unwise: The Indication About . . Hellish Wisdom. v 15-16

{15} This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic.

{16} For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing.

EXPLANATION

A. The . . Derivation of Hellish Wisdom. v 15

1. Earthly Strong’s # 1919 epigeios (ep-ig’-i-os); from 1909 and 1093; worldly (physically or morally):

Strong’s # 1909 epi (ep-ee’); a primary preposition; Strong’s # 1093 ge (ghay); contracted from a

primary word; soil;

2. Natural or Sensual Strong’s # 5591 psuchikos (psoo-khee-kos’); from 5590; sensitive, i.e.

animate (in distinction on the one hand from 4152, which is the higher or renovated nature; and on

the other from 5446, which is the lower or bestial nature):

3. Demonic or Devilish Strong’s # 1141 (dahee-mon-ee-o’-dace); from 1140 and 1142; daemon-like:

B. The . . Describing of Hellish Wisdom. v 16

1. Jealousy, 2. Selfish ambition, (see above)

3. Disorder or confusion Strong’s # 181 akatastasia (ak-at-as-tah-see’-ah); from 182; instability, i.e.

disorder: Strong’s # 182 akatastatos (ak-at-as’-tat-os); from 1 (as a negative particle) and a derivative of

2525; inconstant: Strong’s # 2525 (kath-is’-tay-mee); from 2596 and 2476; to place down (permanently),

4. Evil thing or Evil work Strong’s # 5337 phaulos (fow’-los); apparently a primary word;