Embracing True Wisdom: Strength in Humility and Gentleness
Summary
### Summary
In our journey through the book of James, today we focused on James 3:13-18, exploring the true essence of wisdom and maturity. James challenges the cultural notion that wisdom is tied to education, success, or wealth. Instead, he defines wisdom through good conduct, humility, and gentleness. These qualities, often perceived as weak in our competitive society, actually require profound inner strength and security. True wisdom is not about projecting power but about embodying meekness and humility.
James contrasts this divine wisdom with earthly wisdom, characterized by bitter jealousy and selfish ambition. These traits lead to disorder and chaos, disrupting relationships and communities. In contrast, wisdom from above is pure, peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial, and sincere. This divine wisdom fosters a harvest of righteousness and peace.
We examined real-life examples to illustrate these principles, comparing the forceful leadership of figures like Putin with the gentle yet powerful influence of Mr. Rogers. The latter exemplifies how true strength lies in humility and gentleness, challenging the cultural narrative of power through force.
James also provides a vivid description of the opposite of wisdom: bitter jealousy and selfish ambition, which are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. These lead to relational breakdowns and chaos. In contrast, divine wisdom promotes unity, peace, and righteousness.
To grow in this wisdom, we must cultivate qualities like gentleness, humility, and a willingness to yield to others. This growth is a slow, lifelong process, supported by our relationship with Christ and the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. By embracing these qualities, we not only improve our relationships but also glorify God, reflecting His character in our lives.
### Key Takeaways
1. True Wisdom and Maturity: True wisdom is marked by gentleness and humility, not by worldly success or education. These qualities require inner strength and security, challenging the cultural narrative that equates power with force. Embracing gentleness and humility allows us to reflect Christ's character in our lives. [02:38]
2. The Danger of Bitter Jealousy and Selfish Ambition: Bitter jealousy and selfish ambition lead to disorder and chaos in relationships. These traits are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic, disrupting unity and peace. Recognizing and addressing these hidden motives is crucial for fostering healthy, God-honoring relationships. [13:41]
3. The Power of Humility and Gentleness: Humility and gentleness are not signs of weakness but of true strength. They require a deep sense of security and self-awareness. By embodying these qualities, we can navigate the world with a quiet confidence, trusting in God's plan and provision. [04:41]
4. Real-Life Examples of True Strength: Comparing figures like Putin and Mr. Rogers illustrates the difference between worldly power and divine wisdom. Mr. Rogers' gentle yet powerful influence shows that true strength lies in humility and gentleness, challenging the cultural narrative of power through force. [09:17]
5. Growing in Divine Wisdom: Growing in wisdom and maturity is a slow, lifelong process supported by our relationship with Christ. By cultivating qualities like gentleness, humility, and a willingness to yield to others, we can improve our relationships and glorify God. This growth requires intentionality, prayer, and the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. [29:06]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:29] - Defining True Wisdom
[02:38] - Gentleness and Humility
[04:41] - Inner Strength and Security
[07:23] - Real-Life Examples: Putin vs. Mr. Rogers
[11:36] - Bitter Jealousy and Selfish Ambition
[13:41] - Relational Breakdown and Chaos
[18:05] - Earthly vs. Divine Wisdom
[20:02] - Characteristics of Divine Wisdom
[24:26] - Jesus as the Ultimate Example
[29:06] - Growing in Wisdom and Maturity
[35:45] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
- James 3:13-18 (ESV): "Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace."
### Observation Questions
1. According to James 3:13-18, what are the characteristics of wisdom from above? How do these contrast with earthly wisdom? [20:02]
2. What does James say are the consequences of bitter jealousy and selfish ambition? [13:41]
3. How does the sermon illustrate the difference between worldly power and divine wisdom using the examples of Putin and Mr. Rogers? [07:23]
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does James emphasize gentleness and humility as marks of true wisdom and maturity? How does this challenge cultural norms? [02:38]
2. How can bitter jealousy and selfish ambition lead to disorder and chaos in relationships? What are some real-life examples mentioned in the sermon? [13:41]
3. What does it mean to be "open to reason" and "willing to yield to others" as described in James 3:17? How can this be applied in daily life? [20:02]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where you struggle with bitter jealousy or selfish ambition? How can you address these issues to foster healthier relationships? [13:41]
2. Think about a situation where you can practice gentleness and humility this week. What specific actions can you take to embody these qualities? [02:38]
3. How can you cultivate a deeper sense of security and self-awareness to live out true strength through humility and gentleness? [04:41]
4. Consider the example of Mr. Rogers. How can you use your influence to promote peace and unity in your community or workplace? [09:17]
5. Identify one relationship in your life that could benefit from the wisdom described in James 3:17-18. What steps can you take to bring about a "harvest of righteousness and peace" in that relationship? [20:02]
6. How can you intentionally grow in divine wisdom through your relationship with Christ and the transformative power of the Holy Spirit? What practices can you incorporate into your daily routine to support this growth? [29:06]
7. Reflect on a recent conflict or challenging situation. How might applying the principles of gentleness, humility, and willingness to yield have changed the outcome? [20:02]
Devotional
Day 1: True Wisdom Through Gentleness and Humility
True wisdom is marked by gentleness and humility, not by worldly success or education. These qualities require inner strength and security, challenging the cultural narrative that equates power with force. Embracing gentleness and humility allows us to reflect Christ's character in our lives. True wisdom is not about projecting power but about embodying meekness and humility. This kind of wisdom is often misunderstood in our competitive society, where success is frequently measured by achievements and status. However, James teaches that true wisdom is demonstrated through good conduct, humility, and gentleness.
These qualities, though often perceived as weak, actually require profound inner strength and security. They are the marks of a mature believer who trusts in God's plan and provision. By embracing gentleness and humility, we can navigate the world with a quiet confidence, reflecting Christ's character in our lives. This approach not only improves our relationships but also glorifies God, showing the world a different kind of strength—one that is rooted in love and grace. [02:38]
James 3:13 (ESV): "Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you find it challenging to practice gentleness and humility? How can you start embodying these qualities today?
Day 2: The Danger of Bitter Jealousy and Selfish Ambition
Bitter jealousy and selfish ambition lead to disorder and chaos in relationships. These traits are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic, disrupting unity and peace. Recognizing and addressing these hidden motives is crucial for fostering healthy, God-honoring relationships. James contrasts divine wisdom with earthly wisdom, which is characterized by bitter jealousy and selfish ambition. These traits lead to disorder and chaos, disrupting relationships and communities.
When we allow jealousy and selfish ambition to take root in our hearts, we create an environment of strife and conflict. These negative emotions are not just harmful to others but also to ourselves, as they prevent us from experiencing the peace and unity that come from living in accordance with God's will. By recognizing and addressing these hidden motives, we can foster healthier, more God-honoring relationships. [13:41]
James 3:16 (ESV): "For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice."
Reflection: Can you identify any areas in your life where jealousy or selfish ambition might be causing disorder? How can you address these issues to foster peace and unity?
Day 3: The Power of Humility and Gentleness
Humility and gentleness are not signs of weakness but of true strength. They require a deep sense of security and self-awareness. By embodying these qualities, we can navigate the world with a quiet confidence, trusting in God's plan and provision. In a world that often equates power with force, humility and gentleness stand out as countercultural virtues. These qualities are not about being passive or weak; rather, they require a deep sense of security and self-awareness.
When we are humble and gentle, we are able to trust in God's plan and provision, rather than relying on our own strength. This quiet confidence allows us to navigate life's challenges with grace and poise, reflecting the character of Christ in our interactions with others. [04:41]
1 Peter 3:4 (ESV): "But let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious."
Reflection: How can you cultivate a spirit of humility and gentleness in your daily interactions? What steps can you take to trust more in God's plan and provision?
Day 4: Real-Life Examples of True Strength
Comparing figures like Putin and Mr. Rogers illustrates the difference between worldly power and divine wisdom. Mr. Rogers' gentle yet powerful influence shows that true strength lies in humility and gentleness, challenging the cultural narrative of power through force. The world often celebrates figures who wield power through force and dominance. However, true strength is found in humility and gentleness, as exemplified by figures like Mr. Rogers. His gentle yet powerful influence demonstrates that true strength lies in humility and gentleness, challenging the cultural narrative of power through force.
By embodying these qualities, we can have a profound impact on those around us, fostering an environment of love, peace, and understanding. This approach not only challenges the cultural narrative but also aligns with the teachings of Christ, who exemplified true strength through His humility and gentleness. [09:17]
Matthew 11:29 (ESV): "Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."
Reflection: Think of a person in your life who exemplifies humility and gentleness. How can you learn from their example and apply these qualities in your own life?
Day 5: Growing in Divine Wisdom
Growing in wisdom and maturity is a slow, lifelong process supported by our relationship with Christ. By cultivating qualities like gentleness, humility, and a willingness to yield to others, we can improve our relationships and glorify God. This growth requires intentionality, prayer, and the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. True wisdom and maturity are not achieved overnight; they are the result of a slow, lifelong process supported by our relationship with Christ. By cultivating qualities like gentleness, humility, and a willingness to yield to others, we can improve our relationships and glorify God.
This growth requires intentionality, prayer, and the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. As we seek to grow in wisdom, we must remain committed to these practices, trusting that God will continue to work in us and through us to bring about His purposes. [29:06]
Colossians 1:9-10 (ESV): "And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God."
Reflection: What specific steps can you take to cultivate gentleness, humility, and a willingness to yield to others in your daily life? How can you rely on the Holy Spirit to support you in this growth?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "The world would tell us, our culture would tell us that the person who is wise is someone who is the most educated, the most successful, the one who's made the most money. We look to those people as the ones who we should look up to and model our lives after, but James has a much different answer. He says, in the ESV, he says, By his good conduct, let him show his works in the meekness, the gentleness of wisdom." [01:29](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "It's the way you live, not the way you talk, that counts. Man, that is so good. There's so many little nuggets in there, but if you summarize it, Who is wise and understanding among you is, it's wisdom and maturity. Wisdom and maturity are marked. Wisdom and maturity are marked by gentleness or meekness rooted in humility." [02:38](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Gentleness is soft and kind. It is soft and kind. It comes off as soft and kind, but it's not passive, and it's definitely not weak. To be a gentle person, to be a humble person, you actually have to be really secure with yourself. You have to have real strength, not projected strength. You have to. You have to know who you are and know what your real power is." [04:41](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Humility is an awareness of who you are, who you're not, what you're capable of, what you're not capable of. It's having good self-awareness. It's knowing what you have and what you don't have. It's knowing you're understanding your need. And so ultimately, as Christians, that comes from knowing who we are. We're sinners that are saved by grace and called children of God." [05:45](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Whenever you're trying to look better than others or get the better of others, things fall apart, and everyone ends up at each other's throats. That's a great picture of relational disorder and chaos. Relational breakdown that happens in our families, in our friend groups, at work, in church." [12:31](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "So what's the truth about that, about gentleness with humility? Gentleness is soft and kind. It is soft and kind. It comes off as soft and kind, but it's not passive, and it's definitely not weak. To be a gentle person, to be a humble person, you actually have to be really secure with yourself. You have to have real strength, not projected strength. You have to. You have to know who you are and know what your real power is. Because think about that. It's a risk to live in this dark world as a gentle person, as a humble person. That's a risk. And to take that risk, you really need to be secure." [04:41](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "And so when you start to understand that and believe that, all of a sudden, you can take... You can take the risk of being a gentle person and a humble person in the world because God is going to accomplish his will in your life. Isn't that good? If you don't have that, of course, you've got to posture. You've got to fight. You've got to have cutthroat competition to get your will done. So we're taking a little bit of a deep dive on that. But that's what James calls out. He said, Who is wise among you, understanding among you? Meekness of wisdom, humility, gentleness, are the marks of true wisdom." [06:34](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "But then there's Mr. Rogers. Do we all have an image of Mr. Rogers in our head? Do you have his voice? Mr. Rogers is the most gentle human being I've ever seen. And so he wears his little sweater. I love him. He's so gentle. He's so slow. He comes in on his show, and he sits down so calmly. And you just feel the peace oozing off of him. And he just talks to you so calmly and gently, and changes shoes to his house shoes. And then the way he interacts with the kids is so disarming. But then when you watch the documentary about Mr. Rogers, and the movie, the movie helps, but the documentary really gets the job done. You realize underneath all that gentleness and humility is a powerful man. A fierce warrior when it comes for truth. He has an incredible faith in Christ. He was actually a minister." [09:17](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "And so he describes it in James 3, verse 14 through 16. He says, But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. Do not lie. This is not wisdom that comes down from above, but it is earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder. There will be disorder in every vile practice. That is heavy." [12:31](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. A harvest of righteousness. Being right with God, right living, reflecting the kingdom of God is, is the fruit of doing the hard work of getting along with others. And I'll read the message. Real wisdom. God's wisdom begins with a holy life and is characterized by getting along with others. It's gentle and reasonable, overflowing with mercy and blessing. Not hot one day or cold the next. That's the impartial. Not two-faced. You can develop a healthy and robust community, a family, friend group, community at work that lives right with God and enjoys its results. Results only if you do the hard work of getting along with each other. Treating each other with dignity and honor." [21:33](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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