JAMES 3:13-18 WISE BEHAVIOR (Kent Smith notes 7/23/23)

A STUDY OF THE LETTER OF JAMES

James 3:13-18

WISE BEHAVIOR

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DEFINING WISDOM

• It is not acquired information or knowledge!

• Wisdom is the practical insight to apply knowledge.

• Godly wisdom is the recognition of the spiritual implications of all our choices and decisions.

The application of godly wisdom is characterized by gentleness.

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Smart and knowledgeable people are not always (often) wise.

Wise people understand the intricacies of relationships and systems within which the world operates.

They operate and function in such a way that produces positive results and values the contribution of every person.

Those who have godly wisdom understand that their every decision and conversation has the potential for kingdom impact, and they act by faith in the hope to be used of God for His glory and His Kingdom.

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UNGODLY WISDOM

• The Root of ungodly wisdom:

  • Jealousy: It is earthly

  • Ambition: It is natural

  • Arrogance: It is demonic

• The Fruit of ungodly wisdom is disorder and every evil thing.

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The Root of ungodly wisdom is jealousy, ambition, and arrogance.

It is earthly: without a context beyond this life, win at any cost, I want what I want. Scarcity mindset. If someone else wins I must lose.

It is natural: self-preservation, domination, survival of the fittest is the natural order of a fallen creation.

It is demonic: arrogant rebellion against God’s order and authority, I am my own master, no one can tell me what to do!

The Fruit of ungodly wisdom is disorder and evil.

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GODLY WISDOM

• The Roof of godly wisdom is God’s grace

• The Fruit of godly wisdom is:

Pure Peaceable

Gentle Reasonable

Full of Mercy Full of good fruits

Unwavering Without Hypocrisy

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God’s wisdom is given by His grace to those who seek His insight and input to their every conversation, action and decision.

Those who exercise this wisdom will have a life is characterized by :

Purity Peacefulness Gentleness Reasonableness Mercy Fruitfulness Consistency Lacking Hypocrisy or duplicity.

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THE WISE SOWER

We are constantly sowing seeds in every decision we make and action we take.

Those who pursue peace, will sow seeds that produce righteousness.

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BY YOUR DECISIONS, ACTIONS, AND WORDS….

WHAT ARE YOU SOWING?

WHAT IS YOUR FRUIT?

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Do your decisions, actions, and words create strife, hard feelings, and discontent?

Do they devalue others or disregard their opinions?

Do they promote your agenda or advance your authority?

Do they reflect self-interest, and self-promotion?

Godly wisdom is always seeking the best for others.

God showed His wisdom, grace, and love by seeking our best even at the cost of the death of His Son.

Jesus showed Godly wisdom by submitting to the Father’s plan and offering His life as a sacrifice for us.

We show Godly wisdom when we put the will of God before all things., and the welfare of others before ourselves

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