James 3:13-18 "Wisdom From Heaven Defined"

Read James 3:13-18.

"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." NIV

Wow, this whole passage is so full of truth and guidance for the Christian life. We are first told that to live a good life is "by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom." Again, putting our faith into action, but including doing those deeds with a humble heart. I'll get back to that wisdom in a minute.

Then we are admonished against bitter envy and selfish ambition. These attitudes of the heart are "earthly, unspiritual, of the devil." No mincing words there. I think it's very clear how God feels about envy and selfish ambition. So that drives me to examine my life.....am I harboring these attitudes in myself? Do I do the things I do for God's glory or for my own? Do I want someone else's life? Do I wish for more money or power...anything that I don't have? I must look at my own life very carefully and be sure my conscience is clear on this point, and if not, I need to confess, repent, and renounce these sins from my life.

Now look at the list that makes up the wisdom that comes from heaven. What are the characteristics of wisdom that we are to use?

pure: exciting reverence, venerable, sacred, pure from carnality, chaste, modest, pure from every fault, immaculate, clean

peace-loving: ("peaceable" in KJV) relating to peace, peaceable, pacific, loving peace, bring peace with it, peaceful, salutary

considerate: ("'gentle" in KJV) seemingly, suitable, equitable, fair, mild, gentle

submissive: ("easy to be intreated" in KJV) easily obeying, compliant

full of mercy: kindness or good will towards the miserable and the afflicted, joined with a desire to help them

full of good fruit: good work, act, deed

impartial: without dubiousness, ambiguity or uncertainty

sincere: ("without hypocrisy" in KJV) unfeigned, undisguised, sincere

This is an amazing list and all of it can be given to us by the Father when we ask for His wisdom. It's only in this wisdom that we can even accomplish good deeds for His glory. I so desire to live each of these each and every day.

Lord, give me Your wisdom, not for selfish ambition or out of envy, but so I may live a "good" life for Your honor and glory. Let me please You, O Lord.

Further Thoughts:

1. Carefully read through each of those characteristics of wisdom. Meditate on them and ask the Lord to fill you with each. Write His words on your heart.
2. Who in the Old Testament displayed wisdom like this? Go back and study their life and learn from their example.
3. Do you harbor any bitter envy or selfish ambition? Ask the Lord to reveal to you if you do. If needed, confess, repent, and renounce this sin in your life. It is not of God.

Matthew 7:15-23 "Beware"

Read Matthew 7:15-23.

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” NIV

The Lord is really warning us about those who will try to lead us astray from the narrow gate. And there are many!!! We don’t usually find the enemy lurking in dark allies wearing red capes and horns. He’s the one with the appearance of good, using the name of “Christian,” but completely not living the way of the cross. We must be careful about who we follow. There are many leaders out there, but not all follow the same path or purpose. Just because they say they are working for God does not make it so. We must listen for the voice of the Holy Spirit within us for discernment and study God's Word to determine if someone is living truth or simply for their own self-promotion. Not always an easy task. I’ve known several “ministers of the gospel” who were only in the ministry for the advancement of themselves.

Jesus clearly states to watch for their fruit. See if the results of their work match their words. Sometimes they are very difficult to see so ask the Lord for discernment – He’s the only one who truly knows their hearts and their motives, the visible and the hidden. The works of any minister will not show perfectly every time. They may make mistakes or poor decisions at times, after all, they are still human. But we must watch for a consistent showing of their hearts that will prove their genuineness. Look for a heart humbled before the Father and set on advancing the gospel of Jesus Christ not out of their own ability, but because they are sinners saved by grace and desire to share it with others. They recognize their unworthiness, but their works show that they know where their worth comes from – Jesus Christ alone.

Further Thoughts:

1. For further study on “fruit,” read John 15:1-17.
2. Where else does God speak on false teachers? Read 2 Peter 2:1-22.
3. An interesting illustration in the Old Testament of literally deceiving by being a wolf in sheep's clothing would be the story of Jacob fooling Isaac for Esau's birthright. Read Genesis 27:1-40.
4. Judas is another example of professing devotion, but having a heart hardened only for his personal gain. See John 13:21-30, 18:1-6; Matthew 27:1-5.
5. What kind of accountability will ministers of the gospel face before the Father? See James 3:1.

Ephesians 2:10

"For we are God's workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." NIV

I love what the NIV study notes say about the word, workmanship. "The Greek for this word sometimes has the connotation of a 'work of art.'" We are God's work of art. Isn't that amazing? I love sculpture, pottery, ornate boxes -- any three dimensional art. It flows and moves; you can look at it from any angle to see something new and fresh. And when the light hits it, it takes on a completely new form and beauty. I just marvel at the person who can take a lump of clay or a rough and jagged piece of rock or wood and make it come alive and beautiful, sometimes even useful.

And that is what God does with each one of us. He uses His imagination (which is vast) and His creativity (obviously one of His traits) and forms these lumps of clay into beautiful pieces of art to shine for His glory and honor. I'm continually asking Him to mold me a little more. Make me into more of what He would have me to be. Tweak me here, twist me there. Lord, stretch me into a vessel of Your love and beauty. Prepare me to do the work You have called me to do. I am Your work of art.

Further Thoughts:

1. What is the difference between the "works" of verse 9 and the "good work" in verse 10?
2. How does "prepared in advance for us to do" relate back to the theme of Chapter 1?
3. Do you know what good works God has prepared specifically for you to do? What are they? Do they ever change? How do we know?
4. List some general ongoing works God would have you do (i.e. help the widows and orphans) and then list some more specific work that God has called you to do. Ask Him to continue to mold you into the person He needs you to be to accomplish these tasks.