THE TEST OF TRUE SPIRITUAL WISDOM
James 3:13-18
I. THE CONDUCT OF TRUE SPRITUAL
WISDOM
James 3:13 Who is wise and understanding among you? He should show his works by good conduct with wisdom's gentleness.
HCSB
THE CONDUCT OF TRUE SPRITUAL WISDOM
A Christian should show his works by
•good conduct
•with wisdom's gentleness
II. HOW TO DETECT SINFUL WORLDLY
WISDOM
James 3:14 But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your heart, don't brag and lie in defiance of the truth.
HCSB
The Marks of Sinful Worldly Wisdom
•Bitter Envy
•Selfish Ambition in the Heart
•Bragging
•Lying in Defiance of the Truth
“zh~lov zeal. The idea is of a fierce desire to
promote one’s own opinion to the exclusion of others (Ropes).” (Rienecker, A Linguistic Key to the Greek New Testament, 734-735).
πικρος pikrosThayer Definition: 1) bitter 2) metaphorically harsh, virulent
•Bitter Envy
“zh~lov zeal. The idea is of a fierce desire to
promote one’s own opinion to the exclusion of others (Ropes).” (Rienecker, A Linguistic Key to the Greek New
Testament, 734-735).
•Bitter Envy
ejriqei>a eritheia1a) . . . a desire to put one's self forward, a partisan and fractious spirit which does not disdain low arts 1b) partisanship, fractiousness (Thayer, Greek-English
Lexicon of the New Testament. [CD-ROM], Online Bible).
This word is found before NT times only in Aristotle where it denotes a self-seeking pursuit of political office by unfair means.
•Selfish Ambition in the Heart
Psalm 36:2 for in his own eyes he flatters himself too much to discover and hate his sin.
Proverbs 12:15 A fool's way is right in his own eyes, but whoever listens to counsel is wise.
•Bragging
Pro 30:12 There is a generation that is pure in its own eyes, yet is not washed from its filth.
Proverbs 26:12 Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
•Lying in Defiance of the Truth
III. KNOWING THE SOURCE OF SINFUL WORLDLY WISDOM
James 3:15 Such wisdom does not come down from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. HCSB
The Source of Sinful Worldly Wisdom
•Does Not Come Down From
Above
•Earthly
•Sensual
•Demonic
IV. THE RESULTS OF SINFUL WORLDLY
WISDOM
James 3:16 For where envy and selfish ambition exist, there is
disorder and every kind of evil. HCSB
The Results of Sinful Worldly Wisdom
• Envy
• And Selfish Ambition
Produce:
• Disorder
• And Every Kind of Evil.
V. HOW TO DETECT TRUE SPIRITUAL
WISDOM
James 3:17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without
favoritism and hypocrisy. HCSB
The Marks of Genuine Spiritual Wisdom
• Pure
• peace-loving
• gentle
• compliant
• full of mercy
• full of good fruits
• without favoritism
• without hypocrisy
VI. THE HARVEST OF SPIRITUAL WISDOM
James 3:18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make
peace. HCSB
Don’t you want to be
completely sure you are forgiven and
will go to heaven when
you die?
Please come forward
• To receive Christ as your Personal Lord and Savior
• Or to rededicate your life to Christ
• Or to become a member of this Church
• Or to have the Pastor pray with you
Please come forward when we sing the
Hymn
and the Pastor will meet you there.