Where to Get WisdomJames 3:13-18

Chapter 8By Warren W. Wiersbe

You need wisdom to use knowledge correctly.

Proverbs 4:7 – Wisdom is the principal thing, therefore get wisdom.

Knowledge helps us to take things, but wisdom helps us put things together and relate God’s truth to daily life.

Knowledge without wisdom

Contrast in Origins (James 3:15, 17a)

True wisdom Man-made wisdom

From God Not from God

Examples: Building of Tower of Babel ending in failure and confusion.King Saul putting on armor on David.Roman ship expert to sail ended in destruction of ship.

Origins of Man’s wisdom

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

Believers have 3 enemies: The World (earthly), flesh (sensual) and the devil (devilish or demonic). (Eph. 2:1-3)

The world by its wisdom knows not God.For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness (I Cor 1:18)

Man’s wisdom is foolishness to God (I Cor 1:20)

God’s wisdom is foolishness to men (I Cor 2:14)

Man’s wisdom comes from reason while God’s wisdom comes from revelation.

Man’s wisdom will come to nothing while God’s wisdom will endures forever.

Purity – (3:17) indicates the importance of holiness

Chaste and free from defilementSpiritual purity results in a chaste relationship with

the Lord (II Cor 11:3)

Peace - (3:17) God’s wisdom leads to peace while man’s wisdom leads to competition, rivalry, & war (4:1,2)

Peace is based on holiness, not on compromise.

Isa 32:17 -And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.

Gentleness (3:17) Moderation without compromise

Compliance (3:17) God’s wisdom makes the believer easy to work and live with. Man’s wisdom make a person stubborn and hard.

Willing to hear all sides of a question without compromising his own connection. He is willing to hear all sides of a questions without compromise.

Mercy (3:17) To follow God’s wisdom is to be controlled by mercy. Example of the Good Samaritan.

Good fruits (3:17) people who are faithful are fruitful

God’s wisdom is practical. It changes life and produce good works to God’s glory.

Decisiveness (3:17) Singleness of mind, not wavering or double-minded. Heavenly wisdom gives strength from heaven.

Sincerity (3:17) open and honest “speaking truth in love”

Man’s wisdom – insecurity & pretense (Eph 4:13)

Faith is living without scheming.I Cor 2:12

Contrast in Outcomes (3:16, 18)

Origins determines outcomes

Worldly wisdom produces trouble (3:16)Envy, strife, confusion, evil worksWrong thinking produces wrong livingWars & fighting among the believers (4:2)

Confusion means disorder coming from instability(1:8), unruly (3:8) & unstable (1:8)

Jealousy, competition, party spirit contribute to confusion.

Tower of Babel Babel-confusion

Confusion creates a place for “every evil work” (3:18)

Evil here means “worthless, of no account”

Wood, hay, stubble (I Cor 3:12)

Church is to measure the ministries by the Word of God, not man’s wisdom.

God’s wisdom produces blessing (3:18)Fruit is the product of life, and fruit has seeds for more fruit.Christian life is the life of sowing and reaping.

What we are is what we live, and what we live is what we sow. What we sow determines what we reap.Prov 3:13 - Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.