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Growing toward maturity in Christ without. shortcuts or gimmicks…. Pictures of Wisdom. What does wisdom look like?. James 3 :13-18. Big Idea. God-given wisdom is demonstrated by living God’s way, not the world’s way. James 3 :13-18. Live out Wisdom.
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Growing toward maturity in Christ without shortcuts or gimmicks…
Pictures of Wisdom What does wisdom look like? James 3 :13-18
Big Idea God-given wisdom is demonstrated by living God’s way, not the world’s way. James 3 :13-18
Live out Wisdom Wisdom is understanding the divine plan and responding to it. v. 13 – “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by … James 3 :13-18 … their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.” Meekness/gentleness: Dealing with people in a kind, considerate manner.
Contrasting Wisdoms Worldly Wisdom James 3:14-16 14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. James 3 :13-18
Contrasting Wisdoms Worldly Wisdom 14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. James 3 :13-18
Contrasting Wisdoms Worldly Wisdom “The World” according to James: “And what, for James, is the measure of the world? It is defined precisely in terms of the logic of envy. Human existence is a zero-sum game in a universe of limited resources, a closed system. Being and worth are dependent on having: having more means being more, and having less means being less. By this logic, therefore, humans are essentially in competition with each other for being and worth, and the surest way to succeed is to eliminate the competition.” --Luke Timothy Johnson James 3 :13-18
Contrasting Wisdoms Worldly Wisdom • 15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is • earthly, • unspiritual, • demonic. • 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find • disorder • and every evil practice. James 3 :13-18
Contrasting Wisdoms James 3 :13-18 Origin Hell Hallmarks Envy, Selfish Ambition Results Disorder, Every Evil Instruction Don’t boast about it!
Contrasting Wisdoms 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. James 3 :13-18
Contrasting Wisdoms 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness. James 3 :13-18
Contrasting Wisdoms James 3 :13-18 Origin Hell Heaven Hallmarks Envy, Selfish Ambition Humility, Purity, Peace Results Righteousness Disorder, Every Evil Instruction Don’t boast about it! Live it out!
Response Action Steps James 3 :13-18 • Decision Time: How am I going to live? • Self-examination: How do I treat others? • Focus prayer, effort on one or two virtues • Work for peace, encourage others