Cecil A. Fayard
Elliott Baptist Church
February 27, 2005
The Need for Wisdom
James 3:13-18
INTRO: One of the greatest needs of our day and age is wisdom. I need wisdom and you need wisdom. The importance of gaining wisdom is brought out in Proverbs 4:7: "Wisdom is the principle thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding."
Godly wisdom is seeing life from God’s point of view; it is seeing life from God’s perspective. It is not only asking, "What would Jesus do?" Wisdom is seeing from the scriptures and by the leading of the Holy Spirit what Jesus would do and what He wants you to do.
The value o9f Godly wisdom is brought out in Proverbs 8:1 where the scripture says: "For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it."
There is a big difference between godly wisdom and worldly wisdom.
I. VS 13, LIVING WISELY
A. James is dealing with a problem that many churches face: the problem of self-serving, arrogant leaders and teachers (vs 1)
1. "Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you?" James links wisdom and understanding together. This is often the case in the Old Testament.
2. Wisdom is seeing life from God’s point of view; understanding is putting godly wisdom into practice. "It is book learning plus practical application...." (Robertson 126).
B. "Conversation" as used here in our King James Version means "manner of life or conduct." Dr. George Sweeting says: "If you profess to be wise, then make sure your life backs it up" (84).
1. There is a need for godly, loving, caring Christian teachers. In James’ day, as today, there were fakes, phonies, and hypocrites who taught one thing and lived another.
2. Good behavior is an important character trait for those who teach, as well as for all Christians.
a. We are to walk right as well as talk right.
b. The wise man exemplifies the good life in Christ by his good works.
3. Meekness is another character trait needed by the child of God.
a. A meek person is not a week or a spineless person. Meekness here means to tame or control a horse without breaking the spirit.
b. The meek person is not a compromiser, but one who lovingly stands for truth.
4. To be wise, we must go to the Word of God (II Tim 3:15; Phil 1:27).
II. VSS 14-16, UNWISE WORLDLY WISDOM
A. Vs 14, The actions of verses 14 and 16 are the products of worldly wisdom and are not of God (Vs 15).
1. "But ye have" means that the conditions discussed in this verse existed in that church.
2. Strauss said: "They claimed faith in God’s Word, but they were harshly jealous and selfishly ambitious" (143).
a. A bitter spirit lacks meekness, kindness, love, and contentment. Just as bitter water comes from a bitter fountain; bitter actions come from a bitter spirit. Bitterness is a terrible thing; it will affect your entire life. Bitterness will defile you (Heb 12:15). Bitterness looks at any opponent as an enemy that must be destroyed rather than won as a friend.
b. Envy will do you much harm. The Bible says envy is bad for your health (Prov 14:30). Envy causes fanaticism and arrogance.
3. "Strife in your hearts," this means to have "factions" or "a party spirit." These folks stirred up trouble. We do not need to fight with each other. We need to exhibit a Christian spirit.
4. "Glory not" means "do not pride yourselves in your striving."
5. "Lie not against the truth." Those who lie against the truth are false to it. They suppress the truth and poison it.
B. Vs 15, The type of wisdom spoken of in verse 14 is not godly wisdom; it is the wisdom of the world. It is not of God.
1. It is earthly– it is of the world.
a. Worldly wisdom rejects the Gospel (I Cor 1:18).
b. Man’s wisdom is foolishness to God (I Cor 1:20).
c. Man’s wisdom leads to destruction (I Cor 1:19).
2. It is sensual– this is a characteristic of the natural man; he is governed by his own lusts (Jude 19), by doing the will of the flesh.
3. It is devilish– demonic– demon life– diabolical. What men call wise many times is nothing more than foolishness (Rom 1:22). The Devil is behind much of the politics and religion of our day (Rom 1:25).
C. Vs 16, Worldly wisdom produces nothing but trouble.
1. Wrong thinking produces wrong living, and wrong living is sin.
2. "Confusion" speaks of disorder and lack of direction: no standards and no authority.
a. Worldly wisdom says do away with the ten commandments. Without an absolute standard you can have nothing but confusion.
b. "Every evil work" covers a lot of ground. Worldly wisdom leads to commotion, confusion, and ungodly practices– sordid sin.
III. VSS 17-18, WISDOM FROM ABOVE
A. Vs 17, We now come to a breath of fresh air, to a refreshing stream– Godly wisdom.
1. "Pure"– Godly wisdom is purity– freedom from defilement and its guilt. Heavenly wisdom rejects immorality.
2. "Peaceable"– this is peace based on holiness not compromise.
a. This speaks of a right relationship between God and man and man and man (Rom 5:1).
b. Right relationships are produced by true wisdom.
3. "Gentle"– the Greek word used here has a rather deep and varied meaning.
a. It speaks of "forbearing" and "sweet reasonableness."
b. "The word is used by Thucydides (vii 93) of men who will listen to reason, and (I 76) of moderation, like the Latin clementia" (Robertson 136).
4. "Easy to be entreated" – this means "approachable, conciliatory." This person is not stubborn and is willing to work with others.
5. "Full of mercy"– to be controlled by mercy, willing to help those in need.
6. "Good fruits"– faithful folks are fruitful folks.
a. The wisdom of God makes a fruitful and full life.
b. Wisdom produces wholesome fruits, fruits in variety and abundance.
7. "Without partiality"– undivided, unwavering, not vacillating.
8. "Without hypocrisy"– without a mask, sincere, not phony.
B. Vs 18, We have seed to sow: the fruit of righteousness.
1. The Christian is to sow peace not strife: holiness, not sin.
2. "What we are is what we live, and what we live is what we sow. What we sow determines what we reap" (Wiersbe 115).
a. Gal 6:7-9.
b. Do not sow discord among the brethren for God hates this (Prov 6:16-19).
CONCLUSION: "Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding" (Prov 3:13).
For additional copies of the sermon CD's, please contact the church office:
Elliott Baptist Church
566 Nat G. Troutt Road
Elliott, Mississippi 38901
Phone: 662-226-4425
Pastors Email: cecilafayard@msn.com