Wise Words// JAMES 3:13-16

Before going on the lesson proper, I texted some girls this and have one of them read it out loud:

Try reading this out loud, yourself:

"i walked into my room, leaving the world outside. i must've had the worst day of my life... it's like no one understands. my parents, my friends, even the only person who i thought would... nope, no one! and yet godisnowhere. i knelt down, closed my eyes, and in the silence of this tiny room, in between my sobs, i felt his presence. i asked him, why?... i did not hear an audible answer... but in my heart, there's peace... i know... i am loved. i am not alone."

What did you notice? How did you read "godisnowhere"?

Some girls read it as "God is nowhere" while some read it as "God is now here."

*Sometimes, we read verses in the Bible that seem out of place; but, actually, if you read it carefully and think about how the author is writing it and to whom, you'll see the relationship between the verses before it and the verses after. Context matters!

This is true in the next verses in James.

New International Version (NIV) Two Kinds of Wisdom 13 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. 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, demonic. 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.

The Message (MSG) Live Well, Live Wisely  13-16Do you want to be counted wise, to build a reputation for wisdom? Here's what you do: Live well, live wisely, live humbly. It's the way you live, not the way you talk, that counts. Mean-spirited ambition isn't wisdom. Boasting that you are wise isn't wisdom. Twisting the truth to make yourselves sound wise isn't wisdom. It's the furthest thing from wisdom—it's animal cunning, devilish conniving. Whenever you're trying to look better than others or get the better of others, things fall apart and everyone ends up at the others' throats.

How would you define wisdom?

Accdg to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wisdom):

1

a : accumulated philosophic or scientific learning : knowledge

b : ability to discern inner qualities and relationships : insight

c : good sense : judgment

d : generally accepted belief <challenges what has become accepted wisdom among many historians — Robert Darnton>

2

: a wise attitude, belief, or course of action

3

: the teachings of the ancient wise men

Accdg to the Book of Job:

Job 28:28
²⁸  And he said to the human race,
    “The fear of the Lord—that is wisdom,
    and to shun evil is understanding.”

** How does one get wisdom?

James 1:5
⁵  If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

Proverbs 9:10
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
    and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

Psalm 119:97-104
⁹⁷ Oh, how I love your law!
    I meditate on it all day long.
⁹⁸ Your commands are always with me
    and make me wiser than my enemies.
⁹⁹ I have more insight than all my teachers,
    for I meditate on your statutes.
¹⁰⁰ I have more understanding than the elders,
    for I obey your precepts.
¹⁰¹ I have kept my feet from every evil path
    so that I might obey your word.
¹⁰² I have not departed from your laws,
    for you yourself have taught me.
¹⁰³ How sweet are your words to my taste,
    sweeter than honey to my mouth!
¹⁰⁴ I gain understanding from your precepts;
    therefore I hate every wrong path.

Proverbs 2:6
⁶ For the Lord gives wisdom;
    from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.

1 Kings 3:6-9
⁶ Solomon answered, “You have shown great kindness to your servant, my father David, because he was faithful to you and righteous and upright in heart. You have continued this great kindness to him and have given him a son to sit on his throne this very day.

⁷ “Now, Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. ⁸ Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. ⁹ 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?”

According to James, how was a wise person supposed to prove she was wise?

It'll be manifested in how he/she lives his/her life.

v. 13 Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.

How did James describe wisdom?

Wisdom is characterized by humility (v. 13). Wisdom from heaven is not earthly, unspiritual, demonic (v.15).

What do you think James was trying to say in verse 14?

¹⁴ But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.

We must remember that James is speaking to fellow believers, the early Christian church. They know what they believe in... James is warning them not to be too confident in what they know that they become a "stumbling block" for others as their confidence and knowledge might appear to be too arrogant to the hearers. James is warning them not to focus on their own praise but God's alone, not so that they will be looked up to as wise but to reserve all the glory to God.

How do these verses connect with the verses before this (Jas 2:7-12) and the verse after this (Jas 4:1-6)?

James 2: 7-12 is about following not having favoritism as " For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. James 4: 1-6 is about the quarrels among people and enmity with God when one becomes a friend of the world. James in the verses above is warning Christians to be wise and tells them that wisdom is manifested on how they live life... Therefore, these verses are all related in that Christians ought to live life by keeping God's law, loving each other by the love of Christ, asking God for wisdom, living life humbly, and relying on God's grace.

 "In order to live out what we say we believe, we much constantly depend on God. True wisdom to live out Truth comes from Him and not from ourselves Trusting in
 worldly wisdom and living only for yourself only ends in selfish ambition and a life that would delight the Devil. Living life God's way requires one essential character trait: humility ."

 

Are you willing to admit to God that He is sovereign, that He is in control, and that He knows what's best for your life? Are you willing to submit to His authority, lean on His leadership, and seek to live by His principles? Are you willing to act on what you believe about Him? If not, then you might want to evaluate your relationship with Him?