H OW TO TEST WISDOM ? T RUE WISDOM OR FALSE WISDOM James 3:13-18 Preached on MUC

B ACKGROUND “What” of Wisdom ? It is not just accumulation of Knowledge. But it is the God-given ability to apply the right kind of knowledge to each situation. 1Cor 8: 1-3 Wisdom from above and below. “Why” of Wisdom : Knowledge can come from books and from below. But wisdom begins with Knowing and fearing God. Jer 9:23-24 Pro 4:5,7; 3:13; 9:10-12;Ps 111:10;8:10-13;19:8;

H OW TO T EST T RUE W ISDOM Real Test: “Who is wise and Understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom”- James 3: 13 James indicates that real wisdom is not found in a Man’s books /certificates/ CVs.But it is found in a man’s life. The true test of wisdom is works, not words. You don’t measure wisdom only by IQ but alos by CQ ( Character Qotient) Knowledge is of no value until it is manifested in a man’s good conduct.

C ONTRASTS OF W ISDOM – J AM 3: Contrast in Origins : 2. Contrast in Characteristics/Manifestations : 3. Contrast in Consequences/Outcome :

1. C ONTRAST IN O RIGINS True wisdom Vs Man made wisdom- James 3:15, 17a Heavenly Vs Earthly From above Vs below From God Vs Not from God Pro 3: 5-6- “Do not lean on your own understanding” Eg: Tower of Babel ( Gen 11), King Saul Putting on armour on David ( 1 Sam 17: 33,38-40), Roman expert’s advice( Acts 27:10-11)

C ONT. We have 3 enemies: Eph 2: 1-3; 1 John 2:15-17 World ( Earthly) Flesh ( Sensual) Devilish or Demonic Man’s wisdom is foolishness to God (1 Cor 1:18-21 God’s wisdom is foolishness to Men ( 1 Cor 2:14) Man’s wisdom comes from reason & explanation while God’s wisdom comes from revelation

2. C ONTRAST IN C HARACTERISTICS /M ANIFESTATIONS Characteristics of False wisdom : Jam 3:14  Bitter Envy: Eg Cain ( Gen 4), Joseph sold by brothers( Gen 37:11), King Saul( 1 Sam 18:9), Chief priests ( Mt 27:18) Envy is usually associated with bitterness – Pro 14: 30  Self seeking: Tower of Babel ( Gen 11), 3 John 9- 10, Phil 2: 3-5  Boasting- Jer 9:23-24

C ONT. Characteristics of true wisdom : James3:17-18  Pure: v 1:27  Peace loving: Rom 12:18- God’s wisdom leads to peace while man’s wisdom leads to competition and rivalry & war- 4:1,2 True peace is based on Holiness/truth and not on compromise. Is 32:17  Considerate/ Gentle/Meek

C ONT.  Submissive: Pro 17:10  Full of mercy  Good fruit  Impartial.  Sincere: faith is living without scheming/manipulating- 1 Cor 2: 4-5

3. C ONTRASTS IN C ONSEQUENCES /O UTCOMES Origins of wisdom determines the outcome Worldly wisdom produces : 1) Disorder/Confusion- 3:16, 1 Cor 14:33,40  Instability/Double mindedness- 1:7  Restlessness- 3:8 2) Every evil practice-”Foul” – worthless, ethically bad conduct. God’s wisdom produces blessing of harvest- 3:18 What we are is what we live, what we live is what we sow What we sow determines what we reap.

H OW DO WE GET G OD ’ S WISDOM ? How “ of Wisdom : To get Godly wisdom – One must  Enter into a right relationship with God. Pro 9:10, 21:30,31, Rom 11:33, 1 Cor 1:24, Col 2:3- “In Christ all wisdom” Spirit of Wisdom & revelation – Eph 1:17, John 14:26, 1 John 2:27  Seek it – Pro 2:1-6- Ask for it- James 1:5  Study the BOOK- Ps 119:98-100, 2 Tim 3:15  Learn from Godly believers- Pro 1:5, 19:20,20:18  Learn from our success and failures.

C ONCLUDING THOUGHTS !!! There is a Man/Woman: Who knows not and he knows not that he knows not. He is a fool- Shun him. Who knows not and he knows that he knows not- He is ignorant - Teach him. Who knows and knows not that he knows.He is at sleep. Wake him up. Who knows and he knows that he knows some things and he knows that he doesn’t know every thing. He is committed the process of leaning, sharing and growing. He is wise and he will succeed in God’s way.

C ONT. Pro 8:32-36; Pro 24:13-14;19:8 Do yourself a favour: “GET WISDOM” It is a matter of life and death. The ultimate eternal happiness that all of us long for will be found by those who first “get wisdom” There are only two kinds of Wisdom: 1. False wisdom which “Edges God Out”( EGO) 2. True wisdom which “Exalts God Only”( EGO) May God help us to choose the right kind of wisdom which “Exalts God Only” ( EGO)