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Explore the contrast between earthly and heavenly wisdom as outlined in James 3:13-18. Discover the impact of jealousy, selfish ambition, and gentleness on behavior, guided by biblical teachings and examples. Reflect on the qualities of wisdom from above and the peaceful life it cultivates, urging for self-examination and alignment with virtues such as purity, mercy, and peace.
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The Gentleness of Wisdom Two Kinds of Wisdom: James 3:13-18
James 3:13-16 Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing.
I. Earthly Demonic Wisdom • Vs. 14-16 • James speaking to those who would teach • What is in your heart?
Bitter jealousy • Selfish ambition • Proverbs 27:4 --Wrath is fierce and anger is a flood,But who can stand before jealousy?
Envy Has No Place in Christianity • Galatians 5:26 – Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another.
Arrogance • 2 Corinthians 12:20 -- For I am afraid that perhaps when I come I may find …strife, jealousy, angry tempers, disputes, slanders, gossip, arrogance, disturbances….
Demonic Wisdom Leads To: • Disorder • Every evil thing
II. Heavenly Pure Wisdom • Vs. 13, 17 -- Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom…But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.
Are You Wise and Understanding? • Show it by your good deeds • Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe. • Demonstrated by gentleness
Wisdom From Above Is… • Pure • Peaceable • Gentle • Reasonable • Full of Mercy • Full of Good Fruit • Unwavering • Without hypocrisy
Galatians 5:22-23 • But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
III. The Peaceful Life • James 3:18 -- And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
Grows from righteous seed • The seed is sown in peace by those who make peace • Galatians 6:7-8 -- Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.