True Wisdom

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 ^[a]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, ^[b]natural, demonic. ¹⁶ For where jealousy and^[c]selfish ambition exist, ^[d]there is disorder and every evil thing. ¹⁷ But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, ^[e]reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits,unwavering, without hypocrisy. ¹⁸ And the ^[f]seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace ^[g]by those who make peace.

What does it take to be a wise teacher?

“let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom.”  The word wisdom carries a certain reverence.  You don’t hear people say phrases like “fiercely wise” or use the term, “aggressive wisdom.”  You hear “wise old owl”, not “wise like a grizzly bear.”

Wisdom has reputation of being gentle.

Verses 14-16 tell us that if you have bitterness and selfish ambition in your heart, don’t be arrogant and lie against the truth. 

Have you ever know someone who has an arrogance problem?  They are often described as someone who is full of themselves or that they think they know more than everyone else.  

           

Why do people describe them that way?  It is not so much the incredible value they place on themselves, but the fact that these people do not take into careful consideration the lives of others...they do not take into careful consideration the value of others.

“Where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing.” --verse 16

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Why do jealousy and selfish ambition cause so much trouble?  Because they put self first. --  that is Satan’s number one open door –

       The lies began in Genesis--- “God told you not to eat the fruit because he doesn’t want you to be all-knowing like he is.” – “I deserve better than that” – “I’ve done more than that person” -          

When you put  yourself first, you are putting others behind you.  You can’t serve someone who is standing behind you --- you must put them in front of you.

        Any area of life that contains jealousy and selfish ambition is filled with trouble.  The world teaches “stand up for yourself”’ “believe in yourself’” you must have a lot of “self esteem.”  The bible teaches us to love our neighbor as ourselves.”    Bring them alongside you and teach them, “

James 3:17
But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, [e]reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. 

This approach is caring, gentle, based in love, not in correction only. Not in argument, not in selfishness.

I love verse 18……
18 And the [f]seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace [g]by those who make peace.”

For righteousness to grow, it must be planted and cared for in an environment of peace by peaceful teachers.

Proverbs 12:18
There is one who speaks rashly like the thrusts of a sword, But the tongue of the wise brings healing.

Righteous wisdom from above controls a foolish tongue, and gently reaches out in love and care to teach others about Jesus.