James Chapter 3
By Pastor Chris
BE WISE, DON’T ACT WISE
Who is the wise voice that speaks into your life?
The one who you listen to when you need guidance on what to think or do?
Who helps you discern what is true and right?
… Is it a television personality or journalist?
… Is it a coworker or close friend?
… Is it a family member?
… Do you just rely on your own wisdom?
… Is it some combination of all these?
How can you be sure which of these voices offers wisdom?
James offers some guidance in deciphering what wisdom (or truth) is good and what is evil. He says to filter the advice and guidance we receive through this:
Does it sound like this:
It’s the way you live, not the way you talk, that counts. Mean-spirited ambition isn’t wisdom. Boasting that you are wise isn’t wisdom. Twisting the truth to make yourselves sound wise isn’t wisdom. It’s the furthest thing from wisdom—it’s animal cunning, devilish conniving. Whenever you’re trying to look better than others or get the better of others, things fall apart and everyone ends up at the others’ throats. (James 3:13-16, The Message)
Or does it sound like this:
Real wisdom, God’s wisdom, begins with a holy life and is characterized by getting along with others. It is gentle and reasonable, overflowing with mercy and blessings, not hot one day and cold the next, not two-faced. You can develop a healthy, robust community that lives right with God and enjoy its results only if you do the hard work of getting along with each other, treating each other with dignity and honor. [(James 3:17-18, The Message)
Many times things that get passed off as wise that at their heart foster envy, pride and selfish ambition. This kind of wisdom twists the truth and brings chaos into the lives of those who follow it. James says that if the source of our wisdom brings about this fruit then it is evil. The NASB translation calls it demonic. Think again about the voices you allow to speak into your life. Do any of them match this?
According to James true wisdom produces an entirely different kind of fruit. This fruit is pure, it wishes to bring only the best into people’s lives, it is gentile, full of mercy, submissive, considerate, impartial and it does not allow for hypocrisy. If our sources of truth show evidence of these things in our lives it is truly of God and is trustworthy.
So, seek wisdom from the truly wise. If you are stumped with where to begin in finding who is wise and has understanding among you, look to those that show it through their good life filled with deeds performed in humility and wisdom (James 3:18, NASB).
