True Wisdom – Part 1 James 3:13-4:3

What is Wisdom?

① Discernment What is wisdom? Daniel 5:11–12 “There is a man in your kingdom in whom is a spirit of the holy gods; and in the days of your father, illumination, insight and wisdom like the wisdom of the gods were found in him...This was because an extraordinary spirit, knowledge and insight, interpretation of dreams, explanation of enigmas and solving of difficult problems were found in this Daniel...”

① Discernment ② Skillful living ③ A pattern of life What is wisdom?

“...wisdom is entirely practical. It is not philosophic speculation and intellectual knowledge; it is concerned with the business of living... [wisdom is] knowledge turned into action in the decisions and personal relationships of everyday life ” William Barclay

Counterfeit Wisdom

Source: “earthly” “It measures success in worldly terms, and its aims are worldly aims” William Barclay Counterfeit Wisdom

Source: “earthly” “natural” “demonic” Counterfeit Wisdom

Source: “earthly” - world “natural” - flesh “demonic” - devil Counterfeit Wisdom

Character: “bitter jealousy” intense, selfish desire to possess things that are not ours Counterfeit Wisdom

Character: “bitter jealousy” “selfish ambition” success by any means Counterfeit Wisdom

Character: “bitter jealousy” “selfish ambition” “pleasure” seeking living for the pleasures of this life Counterfeit Wisdom

Outcome: self-deception Counterfeit Wisdom 1 Corinthians 1:20 Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?

Outcome: self-deception conflict Counterfeit Wisdom

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Outcome: self-deception conflict Counterfeit Wisdom

Matthew 5:21–22 “You have heard that the ancients were told, ‘You shall not commit murder’ and ‘Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court...”

Counterfeit Wisdom “For the wars famous in tragedy … have all flowed from one source—desire either for money or glory or pleasure. Over these things the human race goes mad.” Philo, 1 st Century Jewish philosopher

Outcome: self-deception conflict evil Counterfeit Wisdom

True Wisdom

Source: “from above” wisdom is a gift that comes from God alone True Wisdom Proverbs 2:6–7 For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding. He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk in integrity

Character: “pure” perfect in God’s sight True Wisdom

Character: “pure” “peaceable, gentle, reasonable” peace-loving not insisting on every right listens and plays well with others True Wisdom

Character: “pure” “peaceable, gentle, reasonable” “full of mercy and good fruits” deeds of mercy done in humility True Wisdom

Character: “pure” “peaceable, gentle, reasonable” “full of mercy and good fruits” “unwavering and without hypocrisy” undivided allegiance to God honest and sincere True Wisdom

Outcome: True Wisdom

Outcome: “righteousness” individuals, families, and communities made right – enjoying peace, harmony, and unity True Wisdom

Counterfeit Wisdom jealousy, selfish ambition, pursuit of pleasure fosters conflict and evil True Wisdom purity, peacefulness, humility, mercy, honesty, loyalty to God fosters peace and righteousness Summary

Have you found the source of true wisdom? Application 1 Corinthians 1:23–24...we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

Have you found the source of true wisdom? Are you walking in true wisdom? Application

True Wisdom – Part 1 James 3:13-4:3