Returning to Holiness: Embracing Godly Wisdom

Today, the Lord is calling us to a deeper place of surrender, purity, and authentic wisdom. We began by considering the needs of others, specifically the children on the Montana Indian reservation, and how God invites us to be a blessing in practical ways. But the heart of our time together was a call to lay our burdens, our fears, and our chaos before the Lord, just as Hezekiah did when he spread the threatening letter before God in the temple. When we bring our deepest needs and anxieties to God, He is faithful to intervene, to bring peace, and to move on our behalf.

We are living in a time when the fear of the Lord has been replaced by convenience and preference. Many have lost their first love, trading the pursuit of holiness for comfort and cultural acceptance. The Spirit is warning us: it is time to return to the altar, to come broken before God, and to allow Him to purify our hearts. Church is not a social club or a place for entertainment; it is the house of God, where we come to be transformed, convicted, and made holy.

James 3:13-18 draws a sharp contrast between earthly wisdom and godly wisdom. Earthly wisdom is rooted in selfishness, pride, and envy, leading to chaos and disorder. It is demonic in nature, promising fulfillment but delivering only confusion and destruction. Godly wisdom, on the other hand, is pure, peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere. It is not about how much we know, but about how we live—our conduct, not just our conversation.

We must examine our lives for “side chicks”—those compromises, those small allowances of impurity that spoil the whole. God is calling us to wholehearted devotion, to rid ourselves of anything that contaminates our hearts and homes. True wisdom is seen in humility, in serving others, in being peacemakers and bridge-builders. When we sow in peace, we reap a harvest of righteousness—not just for ourselves, but for the salvation of many.

The invitation is clear: abandon the wisdom of the world, ask God for His wisdom, and let Him transform you from the inside out. The time is urgent. What we do now will echo in eternity. Let us return to our first love, pursue holiness, and walk in the wisdom that comes from above.

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Key Takeaways

• 1. Lay Your Burdens Before the Lord Hezekiah’s example teaches us to bring our most threatening and overwhelming situations directly to God, laying them out honestly and leaving them in His hands. When we do this, we invite God’s intervention and demonstrate trust in His sovereignty. The act of surrender is not weakness, but the beginning of divine breakthrough and peace. [37:34]
• 2. Earthly Wisdom Breeds Chaos; Godly Wisdom Brings Peace Worldly wisdom is rooted in selfish ambition, pride, and envy, and it inevitably leads to disorder, confusion, and spiritual decay. This kind of wisdom is not neutral—it is unspiritual and even demonic, drawing us away from God and into chaos. In contrast, godly wisdom is marked by purity, humility, and peace, and it produces a harvest of righteousness in our lives and relationships. [78:47]
• 3. Holiness Is Not Optional—It’s Essential God calls His people to be holy, not just happy. Holiness is not about perfection, but about a heart that is continually surrendered and being purified by God. Allowing even small compromises—“side chicks”—into our lives contaminates our devotion and distances us from God’s presence. The pursuit of holiness is the pursuit of God Himself, and without it, we cannot see the Lord. [87:09]
• 4. Authentic Wisdom Is Seen in Conduct, Not Just Words True wisdom is not measured by eloquence or knowledge, but by the fruit of our lives—humility, mercy, consideration, and authenticity. The wise are peacemakers, bridge-builders, and servants, not manipulators or hypocrites. Godly wisdom transforms us so deeply that our actions, attitudes, and relationships reflect the character of Christ, even when no one is watching. [101:41]
• 5. The Harvest of Righteousness Comes Through Peacemaking When we sow in peace—living out godly wisdom in our homes, churches, and communities—we reap a harvest of righteousness. This is not just personal blessing, but the salvation and transformation of others as well. The call is to be peacemakers, healers, and authentic witnesses, knowing that our faithfulness will result in lives reconciled to God and a legacy that endures. [103:35]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [01:10] - Opportunity to Bless Montana Reservation Children
• [04:45] - The Crisis on the Reservation and Call to Action
• [08:30] - Laying Our Burdens Before the Lord
• [13:20] - Prayer and Thanksgiving for God’s Faithfulness
• [18:00] - The Call to Return to Our First Love
• [22:30] - The Danger of Losing the Fear of the Lord
• [27:00] - The Urgency of Repentance and Holiness
• [31:40] - Wisdom: Conduct Over Conversation
• [36:00] - Earthly Wisdom vs. Godly Wisdom
• [41:00] - The Fruit of Godly Wisdom
• [46:00] - The Dangers of Compromise and “Side Chicks”
• [51:00] - The Call to Authenticity and Sincerity
• [56:00] - The Harvest of Righteousness for Peacemakers
• [61:00] - Final Invitation and Prayer for Godly Wisdom

Small Group Bible Study Guide: Wisdom from Above

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Bible Reading

James 3:13-18 (NIV)
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.
14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.
15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.
16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.
18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.

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Observation Questions

1. According to James 3:13, how does true wisdom show itself in a person’s life?
2. What are the characteristics of earthly wisdom versus godly wisdom, as listed in James 3:14-17?
3. In the sermon, what example from the Old Testament was given to illustrate laying our burdens before the Lord? ([37:34])
4. What does James say is the result of being a peacemaker who sows in peace? (James 3:18)

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Interpretation Questions

1. Why does James describe earthly wisdom as “demonic” and what does that mean for how we view the wisdom of the world? ([01:18:47])
2. The sermon talked about “side chicks”—small compromises that contaminate our devotion. Why are even small allowances of impurity so dangerous to our spiritual lives? ([01:27:09])
3. How does the pursuit of holiness differ from simply seeking happiness or comfort, according to the sermon? ([43:57])
4. Why is it important that wisdom is seen in our conduct and not just in our words? ([01:41:41])

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Application Questions

1. The sermon challenged us to lay our burdens before the Lord, just as Hezekiah did. Is there a specific burden, fear, or chaotic situation in your life that you need to lay before God this week? What would it look like to do that honestly and completely? ([37:34])
2. The pastor warned about “side chicks”—small compromises or impurities that spoil our devotion. Are there any “side chicks” in your life right now—habits, media, relationships, or attitudes—that you sense are contaminating your heart or home? What step could you take to remove or address them? ([01:27:09])
3. The sermon said, “Church is not a social club or a place for entertainment; it is the house of God, where we come to be transformed, convicted, and made holy.” How do you approach church? Is there a change you feel called to make in your attitude or expectations about gathering with God’s people? ([43:57])
4. James says that godly wisdom is “pure, peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.” Which of these qualities do you find most challenging to live out? Why? ([01:25:32])
5. The sermon emphasized that true wisdom is seen in humility and serving others. Can you think of a practical way to serve someone in your life this week—maybe even someone you find difficult to love? ([01:41:41])
6. The pastor said, “When we sow in peace, we reap a harvest of righteousness—not just for ourselves, but for the salvation of many.” Is there a relationship or situation where you need to be a peacemaker or bridge-builder? What’s one step you could take toward peace? ([01:43:35])
7. The message called us to return to our first love and pursue holiness. What is one specific way you can intentionally pursue your relationship with God this week—through prayer, repentance, worship, or another spiritual practice? ([45:13])

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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite the group to pray for God’s wisdom, for purity of heart, and for the courage to surrender any burdens or compromises. Ask God to help each person become a peacemaker and to walk in the wisdom that comes from above.