The Book of James

1
Growing toward maturity in Christ without
shortcuts or gimmicks
2
Pictures of Wisdom
What does wisdom look like?
James 3 13-18
3
Big Idea
God-given wisdom is demonstrated by living Gods
way, not the worlds way.
James 3 13-18
4
Live out Wisdom
Wisdom is understanding the divine plan and
responding to it.
v. 13 Who is wise and understanding among you?
Let them show it by
James 3 13-18
their good life, by deeds done in the humility
that comes from wisdom.
Meekness/gentleness
Dealing with people in a kind, considerate manner.
5
Contrasting Wisdoms
Worldly Wisdom
James 314-16
14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish
ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or
deny the truth. 15 Such wisdom does not come
down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual,
demonic. 16 For where you have envy and selfish
ambition, there you find disorder and every evil
practice.
James 3 13-18
6
Contrasting Wisdoms
Worldly Wisdom
14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish
ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or
deny the truth.
James 3 13-18
7
Contrasting Wisdoms
Worldly Wisdom
The World according to James
And what, for James, is the measure of the
world? It is defined precisely in terms of the
logic of envy. Human existence is a zero-sum game
in a universe of limited resources, a closed
system. Being and worth are dependent on having
having more means being more, and having less
means being less. By this logic, therefore,
humans are essentially in competition with each
other for being and worth, and the surest way to
succeed is to eliminate the competition. --Luke
Timothy Johnson
James 3 13-18
8
Contrasting Wisdoms
Worldly Wisdom
15 Such wisdom does not come down from heaven
but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For
where you have envy and selfish ambition, there
you find disorder and every evil practice.
James 3 13-18
9
Contrasting Wisdoms
Worldly wisdom Gods wisdom




James 3 13-18
Origin
Hell
Hallmarks
Envy, Selfish Ambition
Results
Disorder, Every Evil
Instruction
Dont boast about it!
10
Contrasting Wisdoms
17 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.
James 3 13-18
11
Contrasting Wisdoms
18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of
righteousness.
James 3 13-18
12
Contrasting Wisdoms
Worldly wisdom Gods wisdom




James 3 13-18
Origin
Hell
Heaven
Hallmarks
Envy, Selfish Ambition
Humility, Purity, Peace
Results
Disorder, Every Evil
Righteousness
Instruction
Dont boast about it!
Live it out!
13
Response
Action Steps
James 3 13-18

• Decision Time How am I going to live?

• Self-examination How do I treat others?

• Focus prayer, effort on one or two virtues

• Work for peace, encourage others