Wise Up!
Well, there ya go!
Now there’s no excuse for not reading todays scriptures is there? As always, I encourage you to read these
verses in your own Bible as well. This
passage is often subtitled Two Kinds of
Wisdom but I think I’ll call this post Wise
Up! Let’s get right into our study.
James begins this passage with the words “Who is wise and understanding among you?” He is asking us to examine the nature and
characteristics of what we consider “wisdom”. He says that the sign of true, Godly wisdom is
a good life filled with deeds done in humility which comes from
wisdom. This poses a problem for many
who ask, “How can increased wisdom bring greater humility?” From a purely earthly viewpoint this does
pose a problem. Increased wisdom usually
gives the one who feels themselves “wiser” often creates a more superior or
arrogant attitude. The answer lies in
what James is describing here. He is
speaking about what true, Godly wisdom teaches us and then how we apply what is
learned. The more we know about God, His
laws and His love, the more we realize that we need Him and it is only through
Him that we have true wisdom and power for living. This ‘heavenly wisdom’ teaches us that we are
dependent on God, not ourselves… that “without
[him] we can do nothing” (Jn 15:5).
It teaches us to consider others as the handwork of God and, therefore,
just as valuable as we are.
In
today’s passage, James describes ‘earthly wisdom as “unspiritual, of the
devil”. He says that it leads to “bitter envy…selfish ambition…disorder…and
every evil practice.” He contrasts
those words with his description of ‘heavenly wisdom’: a good life, filled with
good deeds done in humility. Below you
will find a list that I found someplace in my previous searches which presents Eight Characteristics of Godly Wisdom.:
It’s quite a list so I wanted to pass it on to you. As you read through the list think of
yourself in terms of your own attitudes and actions.
Godly
Wisdom is:
1.- pure –
[hagne] This
word means moral purity. Notice, it’s the first item on James’
list. He uses the word “first”.
If we truly seek Godly wisdom we must strive for moral purity first. We must not only live it, we must encourage
it in others.
“But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy
in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”” 1 Peter 1:15,16
2.-
peace-loving – [eirenke] This word means to bind
together, to weave together…with oneself, with God, and with other
believers. It means to be connected,
plugged in, to be interdependent. Such a
person works to reconcile people to God and to each other...to keep the peace
and make peace. They work to bring
people close to God and each other.
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you,
live at peace with everyone.” Romans 12:18
Do you put fires out or start them? Do you dump water on a fire…or gasoline?
3.-
considerate, gentle – [epieikes]
forebearing. To consider the
feelings of the other person.
“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing
with one another in love. Make
every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” Ephesians 4:2,3
Be gentle and considerate, not only with outsiders
but with fellow believers as well. How
do you treat your brothers and sisters in Christ? How do you feel for those whom you worship
and serve with? How about your spouse,
your children, your parents, your coworkers and your neighbors?
4.- reasonable
{submissive} – [eupeithes] This means willing to listen to reason, willing to change when you are
wrong, not stubborn or hard headed, not just demanding your own way in every
situation.. It’s about listening to God
and fellow believers. I wonder how often
we hear from God through His word or His people and then we ignore it because
we didn’t like what we heard or who told us?
“Come
now, let us reason together,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like
scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson,
they shall be like wool.” Isaiah 1:18
We say, “I’m just stubborn, independent and set in
my ways.” God is saying “Wise up!” “Do
what I’m telling you!!!” We are all so
good at making excuses, in finding ways to explain our questionable attitudes
or behavior. I’ve heard people say
things like, “Hey, I know I have a temper, I’m Irish.” “I work with other men all day and that’s
just the way men talk.” (explaining earthy language) “Lots of my relatives act the same way.” When I hear some of these
explanations/excuses I often thing, ‘Hey don’t tell me, tell God.’
5.- full of
mercy – [eleous] This means to have feelings
of pity, compassion, affection, and kindness.
It means having the desire to reach out to those in need and help. It means to follow God’s example of
mercy. He has pity on all, saint and
sinner. We need to be ready to reach out
to help those in need no matter who they are or how low they have fallen.
“Be
merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” Luke 6:36 Jesus gave us a wonderful, and convicting
parable about this very topic. Check it
out in Luke 10:25-37.
6.- full of
good fruit – [karpon agathon] The words of definition here are action, deeds, works…visible
manifestations of your invisible faith.
It’s what others see which proves what you believe. Actions do, indeed, speak louder than words.
“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good
to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” (Galatians 6:10) Take
a look at Matthew 25:35-36 for more examples.
7.- impartial
– [adiakritos] This Greek word has two different meanings, First it means (1) to show no partiality or
favoritism; (1)” There is neither Jew nor
Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
(Galatians 3:28) I’m reminded that
Christ was impartial…he died for all… “while
we were yet sinners”
The Greek word translated “impartial” also means (2)
undivided conviction and judgement. This
means to be totally committed and undivided in following God’s word. This means not entertaining false ideas or
teachings.
8.- without
hypocrisy [anupokristos] One of the most common accusations
of Christians is that they are all hypocrites. It makes you wonder why that particular
charge is the one so often leveled against believers? It must be that we don’t practice what we
preach. It must be that what we say and
sing and pray about on Sunday morning doesn’t carry into the rest of our
lives. We need to live our faith, to
practice it every day and in every facet of our lives. It needs to be who we are, not just something
we do.
“Dear children, let us not love with words or
tongue but with actions and in truth.” 1 John 3:18
Don’t
be polluted or diluted by all of the worldly “wisdom” around you.
Know the source of your wisdom. Go to
that fountain of knowledge, that well of understanding and drink deep of the
living water. “Take my yoke upon you and learn
from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your
souls.” (Matthew 11:29) “Do your best to present yourself to God as
one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly
handles the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15 “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my
path.” Psalm 119:105) Or as I like
to say, “Get your nose in the Book!”
Hey, that’s just what you’re doing every time you visit this site isn’t
it?!
Here are three brief closing thoughts:
1 [1] The source of our
wisdom is none other than God, himself. We find that wisdom as we read and apply God’s
teaching in our own daily lives.
2 [2] The characteristics of Godly wisdom, as
we found today in James 3 are to be: pure, peace loving, gentle/considerate,
reasonable, full of mercy, full of good fruit, impartial and without hypocrisy.
3 [3] The effect of true wisdom is the fruit
of righteousness, right living, following the golden rule. PEACE
very good read...
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