Understanding True Wisdom from James 3:13-18

Summary:

In this sermon from the "Adulting" series, Pastor Skip Heitzig explores the concept of wisdom as presented in James 3:13-18. He begins by examining common societal associations with wisdom, from animals like snakes, ants, and owls, to human traits like age or academic degrees. However, he emphasizes that true wisdom is not mere knowledge, but its righteous application. [0:41]

Heitzig highlights that the ultimate source of wisdom is found in the Word of God, contrasting it with worldly perspectives. He outlines four key characteristics of godly wisdom:

Practical: Demonstrated through good conduct and actions, reflecting a "skill to live well." [0:41]
Humble: Rooted in "meekness," defined as power under control, characterized by patience, self-control, and welcoming others' opinions.
Spiritual: Originating "from above," unlike earthly, sensual, or demonic wisdom driven by self-interest and envy.
Fruitful: Bearing positive attributes like purity, peace-loving nature, gentleness, willingness to yield, mercy, and lack of partiality or hypocrisy. [33:10]

Heitzig concludes by urging believers to seek wisdom from Christ, who embodies God's power and wisdom, leading to a transformed, pure, and genuinely fruitful life.

Introduction: What is Wisdom? [0:41] [Image 4]

The sermon is part of the "Adulting" series, focusing on Christian maturity and growing up in faith. [0:41]
The message will explore James chapter 3, specifically verses 13-18, on wisdom. [0:48] [Image 1]

Animal Wisdom [0:50]

The speaker introduces the concept of wisdom by asking what animal comes to mind when thinking of wisdom. [0:50]
- Snake: Jesus said, "Be wise as serpents" (Matthew 10:16). [1:02]
- Ant: Proverbs 6:6-8 advises, "Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider her ways and be wise." [1:22]
- Owl: Considered a symbol of wisdom for thousands of years, depicted with the Greek goddess Athena. [1:40]
  - Reasons for the owl's association with wisdom: large eyes, resolute posture, and relative silence. [2:06]
    - Proverbs 17:28: "Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent." [2:24]

Human Wisdom [2:50]

The speaker then asks what person comes to mind when thinking of a wise individual. [2:50]
- Common associations with wisdom (grey hair, glasses, PhDs) do not necessarily indicate wisdom. [3:21]
- Wisdom is distinct from knowledge; it is the right application of knowledge. [5:28]
- "Googling" "Where is wisdom to be found?" yields primarily Scripture verses. [6:08]

Tests of Spiritual Maturity in James [6:30]

James has previously discussed tests for spiritual maturity:
- The test of trials. [6:40]
- The test of temptation. [6:45]
- The test of the Word of God (listening and doing). [6:50]
- How we handle other people. [7:04]
- How we handle our own speech. [7:09]
The focus of this message is the test of wisdom. [7:14]
James 3:13: "Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom." [3:58]
James is writing to a Jewish audience living in a Greco-Roman culture that defined wisdom in human terms. [7:31]

Two Types of Wisdom: Worldly vs. Godly [10:00]

1. Wisdom is Practical [10:14]

Biblical Basis: James 3:13 states wisdom is shown by "good conduct" and "works." [10:20]
- Just as faith without works is dead, wisdom without works is also dead. [10:39]
- Wisdom is not measured by academic degrees but by actions and deeds. [11:54]
Hebrew Understanding: The Hebrew word "chokmah" (חכמה) means "the skill to live well" or "an expert in godly living." [15:32]
Proverbs as Wisdom Literature: The book of Proverbs is dedicated to the application of wisdom, appearing 54 times, always with a practical nature. [12:23]
- Examples from Proverbs: wisdom gives instruction, understanding, justice, judgment, equity, prudence, knowledge, and discretion (Proverbs 1:2-5). [13:20]
- Wisdom helps one "dwell safely" and "be secure without fear of evil" (Proverbs 1:33). [14:14]
Solomon's Example: Solomon asked God for a discerning heart to govern, receiving wisdom, riches, and honor. [16:45]
- Despite his wisdom (Proverbs), he failed spiritually by marrying many foreign women who turned his heart from God. [17:54]
- He had horizontal (earthly) wisdom but lacked vertical (spiritual) wisdom. [18:05]

2. Wisdom is Humble [18:46]

Meekness: James 3:13 speaks of "the meekness of wisdom." [18:57]
- Meekness is often misunderstood as weakness in English, but its Greek origin (praos) refers to "power under control" (like a trained stallion). [19:24]
- For believers, meekness is the willingness to be under God's sovereign control. [21:05]
- A meek person does not demand things for themselves or manipulate others; they are "God's gentleman" or "God's gentlewoman." [22:33]
- They produce a calming effect, possessing dignity and poise. [22:40]

3. Wisdom is Spiritual [23:47]

Worldly Wisdom (Earthly, Sensual, Demonic): James 3:14-16 describes the characteristics of worldly wisdom. [23:59]
- Bitter envy and self-seeking: Leads to boasting and lying against the truth. [24:01]
- Earthly: Focused on this world and its values. [25:09]
- Sensual: Driven by the flesh, desires, and passions. [25:13]
- Demonic: Originating from the devil; sounds familiar (the world, the flesh, and the devil are the three enemies of every believer). [25:16]
- Dominated by self: Self-interest, self-centeredness, self-pity, self-indulgence ("do your own thing," "have it your way," "look out for number one"). [26:10]
- Worldly wisdom is based on the philosophy that "man is the measure of all things," where personal ideas and preferences are supreme. [27:24]
Godly Wisdom (From Above): In contrast, James 3:17 describes true wisdom as originating "from above." [29:36]
- The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10). [30:08]
- Wisdom comes from a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. [30:35]
- Daniel is an example of someone with both horizontal (worldly knowledge/skill) and vertical (spiritual) wisdom. [31:45]

4. Wisdom is Fruitful [33:10] [Image 7]

James 3:17-18 lists seven characteristics (fruits) of heavenly wisdom:
1. First Pure [33:43]: Can be translated as "holy." This is the effect of a transformed life, cleansed and sanctified by Christ. [33:43]
2. Then Peaceable [34:33]: "Peace-loving." A wise person loves and seeks peace, unlike a fool who loves argument. [34:33]
3. Gentle [36:07]: Described as "sweet reasonableness," being easy to live and work with, approachable, not inflexible. [36:07]
4. Willing to yield [37:40]: Agreeable and open to others, not demanding or manipulative. [37:40]
5. Full of mercy and good fruits [38:00]: Compassionate and seeks to alleviate suffering. [38:00]
6. Without partiality [38:23]: Holds the same standard for all people, without favoritism. [38:23]
7. Without hypocrisy [38:28]: Authentic, genuine, and real. [38:28]

Conclusion [40:32]

The sermon concludes with a call to trust and follow Jesus Christ, as He is the source of all wisdom. [40:32]
Paul describes Jesus as "the power of God and the wisdom of God" (1 Corinthians 1:24). [41:03]
In Christ are "all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" (Colossians 2:3). [41:15]
The prayer is for believers to have the wisdom of God to live their lives, showing noble character. [41:21]