Leading with Godly Wisdom: A Call to Integrity
Summary
In today's exploration of the book of James, we delve into the profound theme of wisdom in leadership. James, the brother of Jesus and an early church leader, writes to Jewish Christians scattered across the region during a tumultuous time in Roman society. His words, though penned thousands of years ago, remain relevant as they challenge and encourage us to seek a life of purpose and meaning through godly wisdom. As we navigate our own complex world, especially during significant events like elections, James reminds us that our focus should transcend politics and be rooted in representing Jesus in our daily lives.
James presents two types of wisdom: worldly and godly. Worldly wisdom is characterized by envy, selfish ambition, and actions that lead to chaos and disorder. In contrast, godly wisdom is pure, peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy, and produces good fruit. This wisdom is not just about occasional good deeds but a lifestyle marked by humility and a genuine concern for others. It challenges us to reflect on our character and the kind of leaders we aspire to be, whether in our families, workplaces, or communities.
The call to leadership is universal; each of us leads in some capacity, whether as parents, friends, or colleagues. The question is not whether we are leaders, but what kind of leaders we want to be. James offers a diagnostic tool for self-reflection, urging us to examine our hearts and actions. Are we driven by selfish ambition, or do we embody the humility and love that Jesus exemplified? This self-reflection is crucial for our discipleship journey, helping us become more like Jesus.
James emphasizes the importance of being peacemakers, sowing seeds of peace to reap a harvest of righteousness. This peace, or shalom, is the fertile ground where righteousness flourishes. As we seek godly wisdom, we are called to be agents of peace, not chaos. This involves honest self-reflection, seeking God's guidance, and being willing to change and grow.
In conclusion, James invites us to a life of introspection and transformation. By embracing godly wisdom, we can lead with integrity, compassion, and humility, drawing others to follow and grow alongside us. This journey requires daily prayer, accountability, and a commitment to living out the love and grace of Jesus in all we do.
Key Takeaways:
- The Nature of Wisdom: James distinguishes between worldly and godly wisdom. Worldly wisdom is self-centered and leads to chaos, while godly wisdom is characterized by purity, peace, and humility. This wisdom is not about occasional good deeds but a lifestyle of humility and love for others. [16:36]
- Leadership and Influence: Every person is a leader in some capacity, whether in their family, workplace, or community. The real question is what kind of leader we want to be. James challenges us to lead with godly wisdom, which is marked by humility and a genuine concern for others. [12:13]
- Self-Reflection and Discipleship: James invites us to engage in honest self-reflection, examining our hearts and actions. This process is essential for discipleship, helping us become more like Jesus. It involves asking hard questions and being open to change and growth. [27:47]
- The Role of Peace in Righteousness: James emphasizes the importance of being peacemakers, sowing seeds of peace to reap a harvest of righteousness. Peace is the fertile ground where righteousness flourishes, and we are called to be agents of peace in a chaotic world. [25:45]
- Prayer and Accountability: Daily prayer and accountability are crucial in our journey toward godly wisdom. By seeking God's guidance and being open to correction, we can grow in humility and love, leading others by example and drawing them to follow Jesus. [31:25]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [02:00] - Introduction to the Book of James
- [04:30] - Context of James' Letter
- [06:45] - Wisdom in Leadership
- [09:50] - Are You a Leader?
- [12:13] - What Kind of Leader Do You Want to Be?
- [14:30] - Wisdom in Trials and Tribulations
- [16:36] - True Wisdom and Humility
- [18:50] - Worldly Wisdom vs. Godly Wisdom
- [20:38] - The Gospel of Love
- [22:15] - The Fruit of Godly Wisdom
- [24:18] - Characteristics of Godly Wisdom
- [25:45] - Peacemakers and Righteousness
- [27:47] - Self-Reflection and Discipleship
- [31:25] - Prayer and Accountability
- [32:38] - Conclusion and Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Wisdom in Leadership
Bible Reading:
- James 3:13-18
- Psalm 139:23-24
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Observation Questions:
1. According to James 3:13, how does James suggest we can identify someone who is wise and understanding? [16:36]
2. What are the characteristics of worldly wisdom as described in James 3:14-15? How does James describe the source of this wisdom? [20:38]
3. In James 3:17, what are the attributes of godly wisdom? How do these attributes contrast with those of worldly wisdom? [24:18]
4. How does James 3:18 describe the relationship between peace and righteousness? What role do peacemakers play in this process? [25:45]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. Why does James emphasize humility as a key component of wisdom? How does humility influence our actions and relationships? [16:36]
2. How might the presence of envy and selfish ambition lead to disorder and evil practices, as mentioned in James 3:16? What are some real-life examples of this? [20:38]
3. What does it mean to be a peacemaker according to James 3:18? How can being a peacemaker lead to a harvest of righteousness in one's life? [25:45]
4. How does the prayer in Psalm 139:23-24 relate to the process of self-reflection and seeking godly wisdom? Why is this self-reflection important for leadership? [31:25]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own leadership style. Do you see more characteristics of worldly wisdom or godly wisdom in your actions? What steps can you take to align more closely with godly wisdom? [27:47]
2. Consider a situation where you have been driven by selfish ambition. How did it affect your relationships and outcomes? What could you have done differently to embody humility and godly wisdom? [20:38]
3. Identify a conflict in your life where you can act as a peacemaker. What practical steps can you take to sow seeds of peace and promote righteousness in that situation? [25:45]
4. How can you incorporate the practice of daily self-reflection and prayer, as suggested in Psalm 139:23-24, into your routine? What changes do you hope to see in your leadership as a result? [31:25]
5. Think of a person in your life who exemplifies godly wisdom. What specific qualities do they possess that you admire, and how can you strive to develop those qualities in your own life? [32:38]
6. In what ways can you hold yourself accountable to grow in godly wisdom? Consider finding a mentor or accountability partner to support you in this journey. [32:38]
7. Reflect on a recent decision you made. How did you incorporate godly wisdom into that decision-making process? If you didn't, how might you approach a similar decision differently in the future? [31:25]
Devotional
Day 1: The Dual Nature of Wisdom
James distinguishes between two types of wisdom: worldly and godly. Worldly wisdom is characterized by envy, selfish ambition, and actions that lead to chaos and disorder. It is self-centered and often results in conflict and division. In contrast, godly wisdom is pure, peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy, and produces good fruit. This wisdom is not about occasional good deeds but a lifestyle marked by humility and a genuine concern for others. It challenges individuals to reflect on their character and the kind of leaders they aspire to be, whether in their families, workplaces, or communities. [16:36]
James 3:17-18 (ESV): "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."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you find yourself relying on worldly wisdom? How can you begin to cultivate godly wisdom in those areas today?
Day 2: Leadership Through Godly Wisdom
Every person is a leader in some capacity, whether in their family, workplace, or community. The real question is what kind of leader one wants to be. James challenges individuals to lead with godly wisdom, which is marked by humility and a genuine concern for others. This type of leadership is not about power or control but about serving others and reflecting the character of Jesus. It involves making decisions that promote peace and righteousness, rather than chaos and disorder. [12:13]
1 Peter 5:2-3 (ESV): "Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock."
Reflection: Think of a leadership role you hold, whether formal or informal. How can you lead with humility and a genuine concern for others in that role today?
Day 3: The Importance of Self-Reflection
James invites individuals to engage in honest self-reflection, examining their hearts and actions. This process is essential for discipleship, helping them become more like Jesus. It involves asking hard questions and being open to change and growth. Self-reflection is not about self-condemnation but about recognizing areas where one falls short and seeking God's help to grow in those areas. It is a journey of transformation that requires humility and a willingness to be molded by God's wisdom. [27:47]
Psalm 139:23-24 (ESV): "Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!"
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to invite God to search your heart? How can you begin to open yourself to His transformative work today?
Day 4: Peacemakers in a Chaotic World
James emphasizes the importance of being peacemakers, sowing seeds of peace to reap a harvest of righteousness. Peace, or shalom, is the fertile ground where righteousness flourishes. As individuals seek godly wisdom, they are called to be agents of peace, not chaos. This involves honest self-reflection, seeking God's guidance, and being willing to change and grow. Peacemaking is not passive but an active pursuit of reconciliation and harmony in relationships and communities. [25:45]
Matthew 5:9 (ESV): "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God."
Reflection: Who in your life needs you to be a peacemaker today? What steps can you take to sow seeds of peace in that relationship or situation?
Day 5: The Role of Prayer and Accountability
Daily prayer and accountability are crucial in the journey toward godly wisdom. By seeking God's guidance and being open to correction, individuals can grow in humility and love, leading others by example and drawing them to follow Jesus. Prayer is a means of aligning one's heart with God's will, while accountability provides the support and encouragement needed to stay on the path of righteousness. Together, they form a foundation for a life marked by godly wisdom and integrity. [31:25]
Colossians 4:2-3 (ESV): "Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ."
Reflection: Who can you invite into your life to hold you accountable in your pursuit of godly wisdom? How can you commit to a more consistent prayer life starting today?
Quotes
1. "And what this letter is all about, who he's writing to, is he's writing to both challenge as well as to encourage us with wisdom for life. You might remember him telling us a couple weeks ago, right? He's writing to these Jewish Christians, these Jewish believers in Jesus who are scattered all around the region. It's a time of upheaval in the Roman society. And so he's writing to challenge them and encourage them to give them wisdom for how to live a life that matters, how to find a life that has purpose and meaning. And so as he's writing to these scattered Jewish Christians, we get to read in, we get to look in and apply this to really all aspects of our lives. Even 2,000 years later, we still get to apply these words to our own lives." ([00:06:32] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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2. "And quite frankly, everybody's afraid right now. Everybody's afraid that if the other person wins, it's going to destroy everything for their lives. But that's just the wrong way to look at life, quite frankly. Like, what if our real perspective isn't so much about politics, but just simply focused on how I represent Jesus better in my personal day-to-day life, in my workplace, in my school, in my neighborhood, right? What if I just focused more on following Jesus and representing Him?" ([00:10:44] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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3. "So for you, what's the point? Well, here's the thing, guys. Each and every one of us, whether you're a boss in the workplace or whether you're a mom at home or a dad at home, if you're amongst friends throughout the week, every single one of us is a leader at some point. Every one of us in one way or another is a leader, right? And quite frankly, we're all surrounded by leaders. We all have people around us that from time to time, moment to moment, they are leading us as well." ([00:11:18] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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4. "What kind of leadership in your life moves the needle in your family, moves the needle in your workplace, your school, and quite frankly, even in our country, moves the needle to a more healthy culture, right? That represents Jesus. Because remember, that has to be our focus. That's our primary calling as believers in Jesus is to actually bear witness to who Jesus is." ([00:12:21] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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5. "And what he's talked about so far in this letter that we've kind of covered together is we've talked about wisdom in trials and tribulations. How do you find pure joy in the midst of your trials, in the midst of your tribulations, right? We find wisdom in doing, right? Being doers of the word, how our faith, our faith in Jesus should actually move us to have deeds, right? Move us into a place of action." ([00:14:45] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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6. "James is like, the gospel of Jesus Christ is a message of love. That's what makes it good news. It's a message of love. And that kind of love, the kind of love that Jesus lives with, that is lived in humility, where you spend your time here on earth. This is the kind of leadership that you practice. You lift other people up, just like Jesus did. That's how he spent his time here on earth." ([00:22:05] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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7. "But he's like, it's more than just an occasional good deed that we might do, right? It's more than just simply walking the old lady across the street. It's more than just picking up a piece of trash that you see and you know that it's clean and you can touch it, right? It's more than just these kind of one-off things because anyone can do that. Anyone in any given moment can do the right thing, can do the good thing, right? So it's not about that. James is talking about a lifestyle, a lifestyle of humility, a lifestyle of doing good, right? Doing good for others, right? That's what James is talking about." ([00:16:55] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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8. "James tells us that that's demonic. He says, that's not okay. That's not of God. He tells us we've got to be different, but then he provides the difference. He tells us what real wisdom looks like. He says, but the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all, what? Pure. Then peace loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy, and good fruit, impartial and sincere." ([00:24:18] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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9. "Honestly, I think it's simple, guys. This is not something that is crazy or like, wow, that's crazy out there. I think what James is really inviting us into is a moment of personal self-reflection, right? He's not telling us all this stuff. He's not giving us this instruction to guilt us or shame us or make us feel bad about ourselves. He's not telling you that you are demon possessed. He's not telling you that you are evil. What he's inviting you to do is do some personal self-reflection to examine what's going on inside of you." ([00:27:47] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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10. "Leadership shows people. It doesn't just tell them. It shows people what it's all about and what you mean. It doesn't just tell them, right? And here's the thing, guys. It's hard to do this alone. And I say that I pray every morning. I do. This is how I pray. This is what I talk about. But I have counselors in my life. I've got pastors in my life that I can go to that hold me accountable to these things. That's why we have elders here at One Church, is they hold me accountable." ([00:33:46] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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