Studies from the Book of James

The computer age continues to advance at such a tremendous pace that technology is outdated with each passing month. But, in the midst of this increased knowledge, wisdom is practically nonexistent.

Friends few people would argue that the incredible leap in knowledge has been paralleled by a corresponding leap in the common sense wisdom, not to mention spiritual and moral wisdom.

If anything, man's understanding of what he is doing and why he is doing it seems to decrease as his practical knowledge increases. Why aren't people any better?

In chapter 3 James shows the tremendous power and potential of the tongue and draws attention to the fact that our words reveal our character. Consistent with his emphasis in this letter, James shows that the real test of true, godly wisdom lies in a person's conduct. A person may be very intelligent and almost a genius in their particular field but still lacks real wisdom.

Prov 4:7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.

The word "Wisdom" is often used in a careless way today but its origin in history is vastly different. Put at its highest, wisdom is nothing less than one of the attributes of God.

Job 12 -13 With the ancient is wisdom; and in length of days understanding. With him is wisdom and strength, he hath counsel and understanding.

God has complete knowledge of everything; all His actions are perfect and His judgement is infallible.

Wisdom from above is something that we ought ever to seek, for there is a vast difference between the wisdom of men and the wisdom of God.

In these verses James contrasts heavenly wisdom with earthly wisdom the wisdom of the World with the wisdom of the Word.

James 3:15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.

Speaking of Heavenly wisdom

James 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

1. The Origin of Wisdom

True wisdom comes from above and has the marks of godliness upon it, but false wisdom comes from below. Whatever does not come from God is destined to fail, no matter how successful it may seem at the time. There are many example of the folly of mans wisdom recorded in the Bible.

The origin of man’s wisdom is earthly, sensual and devilish. Man’s wisdom is drawn from his three enemies, "the world, the flesh and the Devil".

How wonderful and blessed it is for the Believer to realise, in days of confusion, when difficult decisions have to be made, that there is a higher power available, Grace that is sufficient, and there is Wisdom from on high.

Rom 11:32 For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.

Rom 11:34 For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?

James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

In the day of James as in ours, there were those who thought that they excelled in wisdom. Nowhere does the Bible say that a person with a high IQ—is super spiritual or ranks higher than anyone else. But it is the responsibility of ever Christian to appropriate the truth Man’s wisdom comes from reason; God’s wisdom comes from revelation.

God’s people have never had so many study aids to help them to understand what God is saying from His word. Example—commentaries, concordances, study books, audiotapes, video ministry.

Yet there are so many spiritual dwarfs’, underdeveloped Christians. It is even more tragic, when some of them have made their way to the Pulpit to teach others.

After a period of time, he noted a man, who had come to the pump a number of times.

Later Spurgeon discovered the reason why this man was at the pump so often; he was the local water seller, who distributed water to others. This was why he had to come back to the source of the water, time and time again.

So it is with Christian teaching, we can only share with others what we have received from the source of supply. How we need to go often to the Origin of wisdom, to the Lord and His precious word.

"Let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.

James exhorts those who are wise, and "endued with knowledge," or understanding, to demonstrate it in their conduct, and behaviour.

Simply put, James is saying, "One cannot practice what one does not possess!"

1. The Origin of Wisdom

2 The Outworking of Wisdom

James is saying, "if you claim to have wisdom and understanding then let me see the evidence".

The impact of what James is saying comes across forcefully the phrase; " Let him show," Remember what he said in

James 2:18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works.

If a man claims to have Faith, let him display it! If a man claims to have wisdom let him display it in the way he lives. For the true test of wisdom is works and not words alone. True wisdom and understanding begin with a proper relationship with God and are displayed by the evidence of the new life.

Verse13 Amp. (Who is there among you who is wise and intelligent? Then let him by his noble living show forth his good works with the unobtrusive humility, which is the proper attribute of true wisdom)

Christianity is not just a collection of good ideas or the performing of religious ceremonies. Christianity is to control every fibre of our being, and our actions, producing a good life that brings glory to God.

Christian wisdom, according to God’s standard, finds expression in one’s daily course of life and conduct.

True wisdom is clothed with humility. Paul said to the Church at Philippi

He said to the Church at Corinth.

2 Cor 10:1 Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ,

Jesus has left an example for us to follow. He is the personification of Heavenly wisdom.

Even when men hurled insults at Him He did not retaliate. When He suffered He made no threats. He entrusted Himself to the one who judges justly.

What a perfect example of true wisdom, the Master, in His humility has left for His people to follow. He committed His cause into the hands of the Father.

How contrary we can behave, because of the lack of Heavenly wisdom, and fail to commit our way unto the Father.

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The heart of man’s problem is the problem of man’s heart

James exposes the folly of false wisdom as he highlights the connection between the fruit and the root. Outward actions are the result of inward attitudes.

Bitter envy, self-seeking, self-boasting, and self-promotion are the expression of man’s wisdom. The wisdom of which James is now speaking is Secular, Sensual and Satanic.

The wisdom of the world says "promote yourself" you are as good if not better than others. Even among the Lord’s people there is a great deal of selfish, carnal self-promotion.

The Apostles argued over who was going to be the greatest in the kingdom.

The Pharisees used their activities to promote the praise of men.

It is important that the believer is zealous in the things of God, but we must be sure that our motives are right. The Wisdom of this world exalts man and robs God of Glory

The Apostle Paul says to the Church at Corinth...

He then exhorts them.

He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord"

We must ever examine our hearts, to make sure that our zeal and our service for the Lord is, spiritual and not carnal. Simply put the wisdom of the world cares only for itself, and the things of the world

The wisdom of the world originates in the secular and in the sensual, it is earthly, and it ignores the spirit. Worldly wise men are those who mind earthly things. Christians are to seek those things, which are above.

Col 3:1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

Col 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

The wisdom of the world finds its origin in Satan and not in God. Satan is the power behind the wisdom of the world, and satanic thinking pervades much of man’s thinking today.

Gen 3:6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.

Permit worldly wisdom to creep into the Assembly of God’s people, and you have opened the door for every kind of satanic opposition, which will stem the tide of spiritual growth.

Let us ever remember that Christians have three great enemies. The World - Earthly The Flesh - Natural The Devil - Demonic

Instead of bringing people together, they drive them apart. Instead of producing peace, they produce strife. Instead of producing a fellowship, they produce a disruption in personal relationship.

The Church needs to be on guard. The world by its wisdom knew not God, and its world’s wisdom that rejects the Gospel of God today.

For the Preaching of the cross is unto those that perish foolishness.

A late Hollywood film star said, not long before he died: "I did everything I could to get to the top of the tree, but when I got to the top I found that there was nothing there!"

The wisdom of the world is good for nothing. The wisdom of the world is inherited through our sinful nature. We do not have to teach children worldly wisdom for they are born with it. The greatest need we have in the world today is wisdom from God.

1. The Origin of Wisdom

2. The Outworking of Wisdom

James is going to use eight different adjectives to describe heavenly, or Word wisdom. However, he draws specific attention to one, and says that this wisdom is, before it is anything else, it is "first pure.

While the wisdom of the world results in perversion, the wisdom from above results in productivity. Jesus reminds us that His disciples will be known by their fruits. Matt 7:20

The wisdom from above is Peaceable, not Perverted! The wisdom from above is Gentle, not Grievous! The wisdom from above is Full of Mercy, not Full of Murmuring! The wisdom from the above is Good Fruit, not Bad Fruit!

The wisdom from above is Without Partiality, not With Prejudice! The wisdom from the Word is Without Hypocrisy, not With Hypocrisy! Hypocrisy comes from an old actors term, a man with many faces.

James 3:18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.