Living Out Godly Wisdom in Daily Life
Summary
In today's reflection, we explored the profound nature of wisdom as depicted in James 3:13-18. The essence of wisdom is not merely in intellectual understanding but in the practical application of biblical truths to our daily lives. Wisdom is an observable pattern of godly living, characterized by actions that reflect a deep-rooted faith in Christ. It is not about how much scripture we can quote or how many religious activities we participate in, but about the transformation evident in our lives. True wisdom is demonstrated through a life that consistently makes godly choices, reflecting a heart aligned with God's will.
We delved into the concept of rhetorical questions, which are designed to provoke reflection rather than elicit a direct response. The question "Who is wise among you?" invites us to examine our lives and consider whether our actions align with the wisdom that comes from above. This wisdom is pure, peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial, and sincere. It is a wisdom that focuses on God, not on ourselves or others.
We also discussed the dangers of bitter jealousy and selfish ambition, which are contrary to godly wisdom. These attitudes lead to disorder and every vile practice, as they shift our focus away from God and onto ourselves or others. Instead, we are called to live lives marked by humility, recognizing our dependence on God and the gifts He has given us. Our identity should be rooted in Christ, and our lives should reflect His character.
In a world where social media often distorts reality, it is crucial to remain grounded in the truth of God's Word. Our focus should be on seeking His kingdom and righteousness, trusting that He will provide for our needs. By living in accordance with godly wisdom, we can experience true freedom and peace, advancing God's kingdom on earth.
Key Takeaways:
- Wisdom as a Pattern of Godly Living: True wisdom is not about intellectual knowledge but about living a life that reflects God's character. It is demonstrated through actions that align with biblical principles, showing a transformed life that honors God. [42:10]
- The Dangers of Jealousy and Ambition: Bitter jealousy and selfish ambition distract us from focusing on God. These attitudes lead to disorder and hinder our spiritual growth. Instead, we should cultivate contentment and gratitude for what God has given us. [56:23]
- Identity Rooted in Christ: Wise individuals have a realistic view of themselves, understanding their identity in Christ. They are neither puffed up with pride nor struggling with self-worth, as they recognize their value and purpose in God's kingdom. [49:45]
- Dependence on God's Guidance: Just as a GPS guides us on a journey, God's Word directs our lives. Wise people rely on Scripture as their guide, seeking God's direction in all aspects of life and remaining in lockstep with His will. [53:29]
- Focus on God's Kingdom: Our goals and ambitions should be centered on advancing God's kingdom rather than our own. By aligning our desires with God's purposes, we can live lives that are pleasing to Him and contribute to His work on earth. [01:02:41]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [01:00] - Introduction to Wisdom
- [03:30] - The Firm Foundation of Christ
- [06:45] - Exploring James 3:13-18
- [10:15] - The Role of Rhetorical Questions
- [13:50] - Wisdom as Godly Living
- [17:20] - The Dangers of Jealousy
- [21:00] - Identity in Christ
- [24:30] - Dependence on God's Guidance
- [28:00] - Focus on God's Kingdom
- [31:45] - The Consequences of Earthly Wisdom
- [35:10] - Characteristics of Godly Wisdom
- [39:00] - Living a Life of Wisdom
- [42:30] - Communion and Reflection
- [45:00] - Closing Prayer and Benediction
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- James 3:13-18
Observation Questions:
1. According to James 3:13-18, what are the characteristics of wisdom that comes from above?
2. How does the sermon describe the difference between intellectual knowledge and true wisdom? [42:10]
3. What are the consequences of bitter jealousy and selfish ambition as mentioned in the sermon? [56:23]
4. How does the sermon illustrate the concept of wisdom being an observable pattern of godly living? [42:10]
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the sermon suggest that wisdom is demonstrated through actions rather than words? [42:10]
2. In what ways does the sermon explain the impact of social media on our perception of wisdom and reality? [45:11]
3. How does the sermon interpret the role of humility in understanding our identity in Christ? [49:45]
4. What does the sermon imply about the importance of being dependent on God's guidance in our daily lives? [53:29]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your daily life: Are there areas where you are relying more on your own understanding rather than seeking God's wisdom? How can you change this? [53:29]
2. Think about a recent decision you made. Did it reflect godly wisdom or was it influenced by selfish ambition? How can you ensure future decisions align with God's will? [56:23]
3. Identify a situation where you felt jealous or envious. How did it affect your relationship with God and others? What steps can you take to cultivate contentment and gratitude? [56:23]
4. Consider your social media habits. Are they helping or hindering your spiritual growth? What changes can you make to ensure your focus remains on God? [45:11]
5. How do you currently view your identity in Christ? Are there areas where you struggle with self-worth or pride? What can you do to root your identity more firmly in Christ? [49:45]
6. In what ways can you actively seek to advance God's kingdom in your daily life? Identify one specific action you can take this week to align your goals with God's purposes. [01:02:41]
7. Reflect on your community and discipleship relationships. How can you be more intentional in observing and learning from the godly wisdom of others around you? [42:10]
Devotional
Day 1: Wisdom as a Reflection of God's Character
True wisdom is not about accumulating knowledge or engaging in religious activities, but about living a life that mirrors God's character. It is seen in actions that align with biblical principles, demonstrating a life transformed by faith in Christ. This wisdom is evident in the choices we make, reflecting a heart that seeks to honor God. It is not about how much scripture we can quote, but about the transformation that is visible in our lives. A wise person lives in a way that consistently makes godly choices, showing a life that is in harmony with God's will. [42:10]
"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: Consider a recent decision you made. Did it reflect God's character and wisdom? How can you ensure your future choices align with His will?
Day 2: The Pitfalls of Jealousy and Ambition
Bitter jealousy and selfish ambition are attitudes that distract us from focusing on God and hinder our spiritual growth. These attitudes lead to disorder and every vile practice, as they shift our focus away from God and onto ourselves or others. Instead, we are called to cultivate contentment and gratitude for what God has given us. By recognizing our dependence on God and the gifts He has provided, we can avoid the pitfalls of jealousy and ambition. Our identity should be rooted in Christ, and our lives should reflect His character. [56:23]
"For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice." (James 3:16, ESV)
Reflection: Identify an area in your life where jealousy or ambition has taken root. How can you replace these attitudes with gratitude and contentment today?
Day 3: Understanding Our Identity in Christ
Wise individuals have a realistic view of themselves, understanding their identity in Christ. They are neither puffed up with pride nor struggling with self-worth, as they recognize their value and purpose in God's kingdom. This understanding allows them to live humbly, acknowledging their dependence on God and the gifts He has given them. By rooting their identity in Christ, they can live lives that reflect His character and advance His kingdom on earth. [49:45]
"For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God." (Colossians 3:3, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on how you view yourself. Are there areas where you struggle with pride or self-worth? How can you root your identity more deeply in Christ today?
Day 4: Relying on God's Guidance
Just as a GPS guides us on a journey, God's Word directs our lives. Wise people rely on Scripture as their guide, seeking God's direction in all aspects of life and remaining in lockstep with His will. By depending on God's guidance, we can navigate the challenges of life with confidence, knowing that He is leading us on the right path. This reliance on God's Word allows us to live lives that are pleasing to Him and contribute to His work on earth. [53:29]
"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." (Psalm 119:105, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a decision you are currently facing. How can you seek God's guidance through His Word in this situation?
Day 5: Centering Our Lives on God's Kingdom
Our goals and ambitions should be centered on advancing God's kingdom rather than our own. By aligning our desires with God's purposes, we can live lives that are pleasing to Him and contribute to His work on earth. This focus on God's kingdom allows us to experience true freedom and peace, as we trust that He will provide for our needs. By seeking His kingdom and righteousness, we can live lives that reflect His character and advance His kingdom on earth. [01:02:41]
"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." (Matthew 6:33, ESV)
Reflection: Evaluate your current goals and ambitions. Are they centered on advancing God's kingdom? How can you realign them to reflect His purposes today?
Quotes
The thing that I know to be true is that God is a constant. Which means that every single one of his character traits will always remain. Which means that he is a strong tower. Which means that he is powerful. Which means that he has the ability to overcome everything. Which means that at the end of the day I can have healing. I can have victory. I can have freedom. Even though it hurts right now, I can rest and be assured that in the end I will win. That in the end I will be victorious because God is victorious, right? And that is something I can rest on no matter what the wind may do. No matter what the storm may be. I can rest and be secure in that. And that is something that I am just grateful and thankful for. [00:35:34] (52 seconds)
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 exists, there will be disorder in 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. [00:36:54] (31 seconds)
Rhetorical questions are questions that are asked, and there is not a desired literal response. Instead, what they do is they are questions that force you to reflect. Many of us know about different rhetorical questions. How many of y 'all had a mama, maybe a daddy, but probably a mama, who said something like, If your friends jump off a bridge, you going to jump off too? Right? They didn't want you to say yes. They weren't looking for a literal response. When my mama told me that, it was that moment that she wanted me to begin to reflect on the influences my peers were having, right? [00:39:22] (38 seconds)
Essentially, wisdom is applying biblical knowledge and insight to our everyday life. So when we do that, when we apply the things that we read, when we apply the things that we've learned from the word of God to our life, that's wisdom. Essentially, James is saying, Let wise people show that they are wise, not by what they say, but by what they do. He's saying wise people live wisdom out real loud, okay, because they have an observable pattern of godly living. [00:41:49] (31 seconds)
So we can be clear then that wisdom has nothing to do with how many Facebook or Instagram scriptures we post daily, right? It has nothing to do with how many journals we fill up with our thoughts and ideas and revelations we got from the Lord or we say we got from the Lord. It ain't got nothing to do with how many worship events we participate in, how many things we post, how many debates we win. It's simply evident by our transformed life. [00:44:00] (31 seconds)
People with wisdom have a realistic view of who they are and understand that their identity lies in Christ. Wise people simply know they're called beloved. They know they're a chosen generation. They know they're a royal priesthood, right? They know that they've been called according to God's purposes. They know that they are his handiwork, right? People with wisdom, they understand that they've been crucified with Christ, and it's no longer them but him that is living in them, right? They know they're saved. They know they're healed. They know they're ambassadors. They know they're redeemed. They know they're loved. [00:48:42] (34 seconds)
The interesting thing is that's the kind of dependence that wise people have when it comes to the word of God. They're in lockstep with God. They're in lockstep with his word. They don't know where to go without it. What they do is they use this here book right here. The word of God is their GPS. They use it as their God's positioning system. Right. To give them direction. They use it as God's plan for success in their life when they want to go somewhere. Right. That's what they do. [00:52:33] (35 seconds)
And people who do that, they got wisdom. That's it. So when we think of this concept of who is wise among you, right, there's some questions that I want you to consider. Am I making decisions that dishonor God, right? Is my view of myself rooted in Christ or rooted in something else? Am I desperately dependent on God? They on the screen? Oh, they was, okay, I'm going to do it again. Am I making decisions that honor God? Is my view of self rooted in Christ? And am I desperately dependent on God? [00:53:43] (46 seconds)
And what happens when we naturally compare ourselves to others, we start to become less satisfied and less content with ourselves and our lives. We get less content with our families, less content with our spouses, less content with our jobs, less content with our looks, less content with our swag, just less content with who we are in the world. And that's why, like I said earlier, social media ain't a real place. But I've been discipling enough ladies at least to know that this is why I think it's important and why I often get off of social media. [00:59:08] (32 seconds)
And just the reality to boast about having wisdom and to have envy and selfish ambition in your heart is just wild. Like it's just it's just wild that that to do that because you can't have wisdom. And at the same time, your heart is opposite or anti -humility. Right. You can't have wisdom. And at the same time, your heart is full of jealousy. James says, don't lie against the truth. At least be honest with yourself about where you really yet. Right. Stop claiming to be inspired by heavenly wisdom when you really motivated by getting what you really want. Right. [01:05:47] (38 seconds)
So if you can sing, if you can write, if you can dance, if you got some swag, if you got whatever it is that is unique to you, right? If you got that, that's cool. But when God calls that gift forward, when God tells you to do something with it, when God says do something to advance his kingdom, not yourself, are you going to respond in obedience? Right. Because if you're going to respond in obedience, then that means you're not focused on you and you advancing your kingdom. You're focused on him and advancing his kingdom. And that's the kind of wisdom God wants us to have. That's against selfish ambition. Amen. [01:08:27] (40 seconds)
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