True Wisdom – Part 1James 3:13-4:3

True Wisdom – Part 1James 3:13-4:3

What is Wisdom?

① Discernment

What is wisdom?

Daniel 5:11–12 “There is a man in your kingdom in whom is a spirit of the holy gods; and in the days of your father, illumination, insight and wisdom like the wisdom of the gods were found in him...This was because an extraordinary spirit, knowledge and insight, interpretation of dreams, explanation of enigmas and solving of difficult problems were found in this Daniel...”

① Discernment② Skillful living③ A pattern of life

What is wisdom?

What is wisdom?

“...wisdom is entirely practical. It is not philosophic speculation and intellectual knowledge; it is concerned with the business of living... [wisdom is] knowledge turned into action in the decisions and personal relationships of everyday life ”

William Barclay

Counterfeit Wisdom

Source:• “earthly”

“It measures success in worldly terms,and its aims are worldly aims”

William Barclay

Counterfeit Wisdom

Source:• “earthly”• “natural”• “demonic”

Counterfeit Wisdom

Source:• “earthly” - world• “natural” - flesh• “demonic” - devil

Counterfeit Wisdom

Character:• “bitter jealousy”

intense, selfish desire to possess things that are not ours

Counterfeit Wisdom

Character:• “bitter jealousy”• “selfish ambition”

success by any means

Counterfeit Wisdom

Character:• “bitter jealousy”• “selfish ambition”• “pleasure” seeking

living for the pleasures of this life

Counterfeit Wisdom

Outcome:• self-deception

Counterfeit Wisdom

1 Corinthians 1:20 Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?

Outcome:• self-deception• conflict

Counterfeit Wisdom

VIDEO HERE

Outcome:• self-deception• conflict

Counterfeit Wisdom

Counterfeit Wisdom

Matthew 5:21–22 “You have heard that the ancients were told, ‘You shall not commit murder’ and ‘Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court...”

Counterfeit Wisdom

“For the wars famous in tragedy … have all flowed from one source—desire either for money or glory or pleasure. Over these things the human race goes mad.”

Philo, 1st Century Jewish philosopher

Outcome:• self-deception• conflict• evil

Counterfeit Wisdom

True Wisdom

Source: “from above”wisdom is a gift that comes from

God alone

True Wisdom

Proverbs 2:6–7 For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding. He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk in integrity

Character:• “pure”

perfect in God’s sight

True Wisdom

Character:• “pure”• “peaceable, gentle, reasonable”

peace-lovingnot insisting on every rightlistens and plays well with others

True Wisdom

Character:• “pure”• “peaceable, gentle, reasonable”• “full of mercy and good fruits”

deeds of mercy done in humility

True Wisdom

Character:• “pure”• “peaceable, gentle, reasonable”• “full of mercy and good fruits”• “unwavering and without

hypocrisy”undivided allegiance to Godhonest and sincere

True Wisdom

Outcome:

True Wisdom

Outcome: “righteousness”individuals, families, and communities made right – enjoying peace, harmony, and unity

True Wisdom

Counterfeit Wisdom• jealousy, selfish ambition, pursuit of

pleasure• fosters conflict and evilTrue Wisdom• purity, peacefulness, humility, mercy,

honesty, loyalty to God• fosters peace and righteousness

Summary

Have you found the source of true wisdom?

Application

1 Corinthians 1:23–24 ...we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

Have you found the source of true wisdom?

Are you walking in true wisdom?

Application

True Wisdom – Part 1James 3:13-4:3