The entire Book of James is
full of practical, plain-speaking guidance for living. In chapter 3, there is a rich vein of insight
that contrasts two kinds of wisdom – worldly and godly. One is polluted and one is pure. Let’s look at each and take an honest
inventory of our own brand of wisdom.
Things to think about:
Pollution
· James 3:14 - But
if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not
boast about it or deny the truth.
o
Two distinguishing characteristics – focus on others (bitter envy)
and focus on self (selfish ambition)
§ Envy = I want
what you have because I’m comparing myself to you
· James 4:1-2 -
What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your
desires that battle within you? You desire but do not have, so you
kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and
fight. You do not have because you do not ask God.
§ Selfish
ambition is different than ambition. God
wants us to dream big dreams for Him, not to feed our greeds
· James 4:3 - When
you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that
you may spend what you get on your pleasures.
· Matthe 6:33 -
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things
will be given to you as well.
o
God doesn’t seem to be anywhere in view!
· James 3:15-16
- Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly,
unspiritual, demonic. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there
you find disorder and every evil practice.
Purity
· James 3:17 -
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.
o
If we look at the bookends here, Purity and Sincerity, these are
motivations that come from a heart aligned with God’s
o
The others, Peace-loving, Considerate, Submissive, Merciful, Good Fruit,
Impartiality, are how these motivations come to life in practical ways to the
benefit of others
§ These are the
opposite of envy and greed!
o
I suppose we daily (hourly?!) go through varying degrees of wisdom
· The payoff to
those pursuing God's wisdom?
o
v.18 - Peacemakers who sow in peace
reap a harvest of righteousness.
