Doing Faith

BECOMING WISE

I want to become wise in the Lord – and live wisely.

(James 3:13-18) Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.

1. Disdaining God’s Wisdom

(Proverb 1:7) The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom.

(14-15) If you harbor bitter envy... in your hearts… Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil.

A. I prefer wisdom that caters to and blesses ME – before you.

(14-15) If you harbor... selfish ambition... in your hearts… Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil.

B. I prefer wisdom that promotes and advances ME – before God.

(Jeremiah 4:22) “My people are fools; they do not know Me. They are senseless children; they have no understanding. They are skilled in doing evil; they know not how to do good.”

(Isaiah 29:16) You turn things upside down, as if the potter were thought to be like the clay! Shall what is formed say to Him who formed it, “He did not make me”? Can the pot say of the potter, “He knows nothing”?

2. Detaining God’s Wisdom

A. Realize by acknowledging.

(1 Corinthians 1:25) The foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom.

(Proverb 3:19) By wisdom the Lord laid the earth’s foundations, by understanding He set the heavens in place.

(Psalm 104:24) How many are Your works O Lord! In wisdom You made them all; the earth is full of Your creatures.

B. Receive by asking.

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

C. Retain by abasing.

(James 3:13) ... the humility that comes from wisdom.

3. Displaying God’s Wisdom

(17) But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.

If I have God’s wisdom, I will always live a life that is:

Morally Pure

Peace Loving

Considerate

Submissive

Merciful

Fruitful

Impartial

SINCERE