Widsdom (Bible Study on the Book of James)

Image Credit:  Ismael Paramo - Public Domain Image - via Freely Photos

Wisdom

This past Sunday, our pastor continued his series on the Book of James.  The scripture passage was taken from James 3:13-18.

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. – James 3:13-18

You know you have wisdom by your deeds, disposition, and meekness.

 Our need for wisdom is great.  (James 3:13)

But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. – James 1:5

Acquire wisdom! Acquire understanding! Do not forget nor turn away from the words of my mouth.  Do not forsake her, and she will guard you; love her, and she will watch over you. The beginning of wisdom is: Acquire wisdom; and with all your acquiring, get understanding. – Proverbs 4:5-7 

The wisdom of the world is not great. It’s disastrous.  (James 3:14-16)

*Treacherous Twins (James 3:14):  Bitter envy and self-seeking.  They live in your heart.

*Unholy Three (James 3:15):  earthly, sensual, demonic

But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. – 1 Corinthians 2:14

*Complete Confusion (James 3:16)

Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained, but happy is he who keeps the law. – Proverbs 29:18

The wisdom of God is His Greatness:  visibly working in us. (James 3:17-18)

When we are internally clean, we externally honor God.

*Pure and Peaceable (James 3:17)

*Gentle and Willingness to Yield (James 3:17)

*Mercy and Good Fruits (James 3:17)

*No partiality.  No Hypocrisy (James 3:17)

More Scripture verses:

Proverbs 2:6

Proverbs 11:2

But to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. – 1 Corinthians 1:24

You'll find all my posts about this study on the book of James here.