James 3:13-18 | Part 11
Mark 10:13-16
People were bringing little children to him in order that he might touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 When Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the little children come to me. Don’t stop them, because the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15 Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive[e] the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” 16 After taking them in his arms, he laid his hands on them and blessed them.
Galatians 5:22-25
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, we must also follow the Spirit.
James 3:13-18
Who among you is wise and understanding? By his good conduct he should show that his works are done in the gentleness that comes from wisdom.
Wise: Able to make the best decision in Christ
Understanding: intelligent in your experience of the Christ life. Knowledge of an expert. The only place this word is found in NT
Worldly wise: able to make the best decisions for yourself
Worldly understanding: intelligent in your experience of serving self
John 15:5
I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without me.
John 15:6
If anyone does not remain in me, he is thrown aside like a branch and he withers. They gather them, throw them into the fire, and they are burned.
You see, we prove this by what we DO, not what we SAY
The results of wisdom should be gentle, caring, not demanding
If you have a skilled expert, someone who has on the job given intelligence. (think intel in SF’s) AND great conduct. This is a service from the wise to those in need
or…
14 But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your heart, don’t boast and deny the truth.
But if the core of your “wisdom” is:
Bitter and envious
Selfishly ambitious. Self Esteem.
than…
15 Such wisdom does not come down from above but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.
This means that many who ensure you understand they are very wise are actually very…earthly. un(holy)spiritual, and…demonic.
16 For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there is disorder and every evil practice.
Envy and selfishness only work for one person, not for many
This causes fracture
This does not glorify God, it glorifies self, which is self worship. Self Esteem
Romans 12:3
For by the grace given to me, I tell everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he should think. Instead, think sensibly, as God has distributed a measure of faith to each one.
17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without pretense.
(Holy) spiritual, on the other hand is:
Pure. Why?
Peace loving
Gentle
Compliant. With whom?
Merciful. Jesus is, therefore, we are called to be
Good fruits. Which are….
Unwavering. Tough one
No pretense. No unseen motivator. No usury
18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who cultivate peace.
A pay it forward kind of deal
Fruits of righteousness in Christ, bears fruit of righteousness in others
Belgian draft horses
By themselves, pull 8 thousand lbs
Together (2) they can pull 20,000 lbs
Earthly Wisdom & Understanding | Godly Wisdom & Understanding |
Demanding. Just listen to me. | Gentle with others because Jesus is gentle with them. |
Works hard for self. | Always working to align with Christ and His calling. |
Bitter envy. I must have more, do more, be better, be first. | Daily practice of thankfulness to God and what He has given. |
Hidden agenda. | No pretense. |
Constantly driven for more. | Peaceful and focused on God’s call. |
I want you to be successful. In Christ
I want you to be the best God has called you to be.
I want you to have influence and authority if that is God’s will