Series: 3:16- Numbers That Bring Hope [#40]
THE HOPE THAT COMES FROM HEAVEN’S WISDOM
James 3:16
Introduction:
We live in a world that is full of knowledge. The amount of technology that has appeared in just the last couple of years is hard to believe. Things like facetime on IPhones where you can look at the person while you talk to them from across the world, is things that only happened in shows like Star Trek when I was young. Yet, with all of this knowledge things are getting worse and worse. Why? It is because we lack in God’s wisdom. Many people think that knowledge and wisdom are the same thing; but that is not correct. Knowledge is the accumulation of facts. Wisdom is the ability to use those facts for God’s glory and for man’s highest good.
James 3:13 (NIV)
“Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.”
Our passage shows us this morning that there are 2 types of wisdom- The world’s wisdom, (which is false) and God’s wisdom, (which is true). What kind of wisdom is your life an example of?
James 3:14-16 (NIRV)
“But suppose your hearts are jealous and bitter. Suppose you are concerned only about getting ahead. Then don’t brag about it. And don’t say no to the truth. Wisdom like this doesn’t come down from heaven. It belongs to the earth. It doesn’t come from the Holy Spirit. It comes from the devil. Are you jealous? Are you concerned only about getting ahead? Then your life will be a mess. You will be doing all kinds of evil things.”
Is your life an example of…
1. False wisdom?
Our text gives us the characteristics of false wisdom- It shows us what false wisdom looks like. See if any of these are a part of your life.
The characteristics of false wisdom are…
? Jealousy.
? Bitterness.
? Selfishness.
These characteristics are of the world and not of God. In fact, these characteristics come from the devil. If you choose to live your life with this evil type of wisdom, your life will be a mess.
James 3:17-18 (NIRV)
“ But the wisdom that comes from heaven is pure. That’s the most important thing about it. And that’s not all. It also loves peace. It thinks about others. It obeys. It is full of mercy and good fruit. It is fair. It doesn’t pretend to be what it is not. Those who make peace plant it like a seed. They will harvest a crop of right living.”
Is your life an example of…
2. True wisdom?
Our text also gives us the characteristics of true wisdom- It shows us what true wisdom looks like. See if any of these are a part of your life.
The characteristics of true wisdom are…
? Purity.
? Loves peace.
? It thinks about others.
? It obeys.
? It is full of mercy.
? It is full of good fruit.
? It is fair.
? It is real.
These characteristics come from God. People who use this type of wisdom plant peace. They produce a testimony of someone who lives right. They lift up Jesus Christ in all that they do.
Conclusion:
What type of wisdom is your life an example of?
