Choosing Between Godly and Worldly Wisdom in Faith
Summary
In today's sermon, I explored the profound theme of wisdom as it relates to our faith, drawing from the book of James. I began by sharing a personal anecdote about a challenging hike with my friend Carl, which served as a metaphor for the Christian journey. The hike, with its difficulties and the anticipation of reaching the end, paralleled our spiritual walk towards our heavenly home. This set the stage for a deeper dive into the nature of wisdom and its significance in our lives as believers.
I emphasized that the book of James has been a journey through the contrast between living faith and dead faith, with wisdom being the latest fruit to examine. I clarified that everyone possesses some form of wisdom, but the critical question is the character of that wisdom – whether it is godly or worldly. I challenged the congregation to self-examine, to discern the type of wisdom they operate under, and consequently, the type of faith they possess.
I dissected the passage from James 3:13-18, highlighting two distinct types of wisdom: godly wisdom, which is pure, peaceable, gentle, and full of mercy, and worldly wisdom, characterized by envy, strife, and confusion. I stressed that godly wisdom is a product of living faith, while worldly wisdom is indicative of dead faith. I urged the congregation to reflect on their lives, to identify areas where worldly wisdom might be influencing them, and to strive for a greater manifestation of godly wisdom.
I also touched on the practical aspects of our church life, including the introduction of new members, the importance of devotion, and upcoming Easter events. I encouraged the congregation to engage with these opportunities for spiritual growth and community fellowship.
Key Takeaways:
- Godly wisdom is not merely an intellectual asset but a character trait that should permeate our lives. It is the wisdom that comes from above, characterized by purity, peace, and gentleness, and it is the evidence of a living faith. This wisdom is not boastful or arrogant but is demonstrated through a life of humility and good deeds. [49:33]
- Worldly wisdom, on the other hand, is marked by envy, strife, and confusion. It is earthly, unspiritual, and even demonic. This type of wisdom leads to a life that is contrary to God's will and is indicative of a dead faith. As believers, we must be vigilant to not let this wisdom infiltrate our hearts and minds. [01:11:12]
- The fruits of the Spirit, as listed in Galatians 5, are closely related to the characteristics of godly wisdom described in James. This connection underscores the importance of allowing the Holy Spirit to cultivate these qualities within us, as they are the true markers of a life led by godly wisdom. [01:16:24]
- Meekness is a key aspect of godly wisdom. It is not about weakness but about strength under control. A wise person, according to God's standards, is one who exercises their knowledge and understanding with humility, restraint, and a heart aligned with God's purposes. [01:05:18]
- Our daily conduct and the consistency of our character are the true tests of the wisdom we possess. A believer who lives by godly wisdom will exhibit a steadfastness and integrity that is evident in all areas of life, regardless of the situation or audience. [57:49]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- James 3:13-18
#### Observation Questions
1. What are the characteristics of godly wisdom as described in James 3:17?
2. According to James 3:14-16, what are the signs of worldly wisdom?
3. How does James 3:13 suggest we demonstrate wisdom in our lives?
4. What does James 3:18 say about the fruit of righteousness and peace?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does James emphasize the importance of meekness in demonstrating wisdom? [01:05:18]
2. How does the presence of envy and strife indicate the type of wisdom one possesses? [01:11:12]
3. What is the relationship between godly wisdom and the fruits of the Spirit as mentioned in the sermon? [01:16:24]
4. How does the concept of "living faith" versus "dead faith" relate to the types of wisdom discussed in James 3:13-18? [49:33]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your daily conduct. Are there areas where you see the influence of worldly wisdom, such as envy or strife? How can you work towards replacing these with godly wisdom? [01:11:12]
2. The sermon mentioned that godly wisdom is demonstrated through humility and good deeds. Can you identify a recent situation where you acted with humility? How did it impact the outcome? [49:33]
3. Think about a time when you felt confused or in conflict. How might worldly wisdom have played a role in that situation? What steps can you take to seek godly wisdom in similar future scenarios? [01:11:12]
4. The pastor shared a personal anecdote about a challenging hike that paralleled the Christian journey. Can you think of a personal experience that taught you a lesson about wisdom? How did it shape your faith? [13:16]
5. Meekness was highlighted as a key aspect of godly wisdom. How can you practice meekness in your interactions this week, especially in challenging situations? [01:05:18]
6. The sermon encouraged engagement in church life and community fellowship. How can participating in these activities help you cultivate godly wisdom? [20:00]
7. Identify one aspect of the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5) that you want to focus on this month. What specific action can you take to cultivate this quality in your daily life? [01:16:24]
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Godly Wisdom in Character
Godly wisdom is not an intellectual trophy to be displayed but a character trait that should be woven into the fabric of a believer's life. It is a wisdom that descends from above, marked by purity, peace, and gentleness. This wisdom is not self-promoting or filled with arrogance; instead, it is manifested through a life of humility and good deeds. It is the kind of wisdom that reflects a heart transformed by God, one that seeks to align with His will and purposes. It is a wisdom that is lived out in everyday actions and decisions, showing the world what it means to walk in the light of God's truth. [49:33]
"But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere." (James 3:17 ESV)
Reflection: How can you demonstrate godly wisdom in a practical situation you are facing this week?
Day 2: Guarding Against Worldly Wisdom
Worldly wisdom is characterized by envy, strife, and confusion. It is a wisdom that is earthly, unspiritual, and can even be demonic. This type of wisdom leads to a life that is in opposition to God's will and is a sign of a faith that is not alive. Believers must be vigilant to ensure that this form of wisdom does not take root in their hearts and minds. Instead, they should seek to cultivate a wisdom that aligns with God's righteousness and leads to peace. [01:11:12]
"For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice." (James 3:16 ESV)
Reflection: In what ways might worldly wisdom be influencing your decisions, and how can you actively reject it?
Day 3: Fruits of the Spirit and Godly Wisdom
The fruits of the Spirit, as outlined in Galatians 5, are intimately connected to the characteristics of godly wisdom found in James. This connection is a powerful reminder of the importance of allowing the Holy Spirit to work within us, cultivating qualities such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These fruits are the true indicators of a life that is guided by godly wisdom and a heart that is in tune with the Spirit's leading. [01:16:24]
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law." (Galatians 5:22-23 ESV)
Reflection: Which fruit of the Spirit do you need to ask the Holy Spirit to cultivate more deeply in you?
Day 4: Meekness as Strength in Wisdom
Meekness is often misunderstood as weakness, but in the context of godly wisdom, it is about strength under control. A person who is wise in God's eyes exercises their knowledge and understanding with humility, restraint, and a heart that seeks to fulfill God's purposes. Meekness is not about surrendering one's power, but rather about using it in a way that honors God and serves others. It is a reflection of the inner strength that comes from a steadfast reliance on God. [01:05:18]
"Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom." (James 3:13 ESV)
Reflection: How can you practice meekness in a challenging relationship or situation you are currently facing?
Day 5: Integrity as Evidence of Godly Wisdom
The true measure of the wisdom one possesses is not found in words but in the consistency of character and conduct. A believer who lives by godly wisdom will exhibit a steadfastness and integrity that shines through in every aspect of life. This consistency is a testament to the transformative power of God's wisdom and serves as a beacon of light to those who are seeking truth. It is in the daily walk, in the moments of choice, that the depth of one's wisdom is truly revealed. [57:49]
"A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks." (Luke 6:45 ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to practice greater integrity, and what steps will you take to do so?
Quotes
"Simply put, what is the evidence of a dead faith in this particular application? False wisdom, the type of wisdom that comes from the world and expresses these types of responses. So what are these types of responses? Things that emotionally motivate you to want something that's not yours, to disregard something that is yours and a greater desire to have what is somebody else's." [01:11:12]
"The confirming fruit comes by walking in godly wisdom. What is the evidence of a true spiritual wisdom? The type of wisdom that comes from God? Well, very simply, he says there the wisdom that is from above is first pure and then peaceable, gentle, easily being treated, full of mercy, good fruits, without partiality, without hypocrisy." [01:16:24]
"His works, not his words, are the acid test of his wisdom. They must be works of faith, external evidence of God's transforming power within. Is it coming clear what we're talking about? We're talking about somebody that every time you see them, they are the same. They're saying the same, they're doing the same, they're representing the same." [59:43]
"Meekness is not weakness, right? We know that. Meekness is power under control, humility, reasonableness, decency, in terms that your grandmother taught you, probably modeled for you. And here we see, James says, it's in the meekness of wisdom that you should carry yourself." [01:05:18]
"James has been defining for us what is a living faith and what is a dead faith. And he has gone through how we see tests and temptations. And he's gone through how we live practically. He's gone through how we interact with other people, partiality or non-partiality." [01:09:13]
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