J AMES 3:13-18 Everybody Wants Some…

J AMES Key Verse: But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves- James 1:22 (NKJ) Review - Teachers are held to a higher level of accountability because they are handling the Word of God (James 3:1-12) Life and Death are in the tongue. Our words come from the overflow of our hearts

J AMES 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- vs. 13 Wise = “sophos.” Technical term among the Jews for teacher, scribe or rabbi The primary method for demonstrating wisdom should be…?

J AMES Why does wisdom bring humility? (Humility is “strength under the control of the Holy Spirit”)

J AMES The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom- Psalm 111:10 Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. It was strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord- Acts 9:31

The fear of the Lord=wisdom Wisdom=right application of knowledge The ability to apply knowledge starts with the fact that God exists A life lived under the banner of a God who knows all, sees all and yet loves anyway brings humility Humility results in a life of good deeds for the right reasons

J AMES But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth- vs. 14 Bitter envy= “harsh zeal” Selfish Ambition= “seeking only that which benefits me or my group”

J AMES How “American” is envy and selfish ambition?

J AMES Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus- Philippians 2:3-5 To follow Jesus is choose a counter- cultural lifestyle

J AMES …bitter envy and selfish ambition… Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice- vs

J AMES False wisdom makes personal gain life’s highest goal and judges all things by the subjective standards of this world

J AMES Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father- James 1:17 Wisdom which seeks gifts outside of God’s will is demonic in nature False wisdom is demonstrated the carnage it leaves behind

J AMES 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. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness- vs

J AMES The fear of the Lord brings a wisdom that is uncompromised by false motives. The tell-tale sign is an orientation towards making peace