This exposition of James 3:13-18 by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday evening, April 14, 2019.
Intro:
We all know there is a difference between knowledge and wisdom. Certainly they are related but they are not the same. Warren Wiersbe speaks of the man who has vast knowledge, is capable of solving complicated mathematical and engineering problems but cannot manage his own life!
[sections collapse="always"][section title="Read More"]
We all have the image of the absent-minded professor lost in his ivory-tower world oblivious to what is happening around him. I remember when I was a kid sitting with my pawpaw on his front porch. My grandfather was a practical, hardworking man. He may have graduated high school, I’m not sure. Next door, his neighbor was working in his yard. The neighbor had a “rock garden.” The white rocks had become dull with dirt and grime. So the neighbor was sitting on the ground with a rag and a bucket of water. He picked up a rock, dipped it into the water, wiped if off then laid it aside. Then he would take another rock and repeat the process. We watched as he cleaned each rock, one at a time. My grandfather could take it no longer he said, “Hey! Why don’t you use a hose?” You could almost see the light bulb over his head. “Yeah, that would work.” As the man went to get his hose my grandfather turned to me and said, “College boy.”
We live in an age that believe the answer to all our struggles is education. We just need more information. Yet, we have more information available to us today than at any point in history. Not only have we accumulated a vast amount of knowledge/information, it is available with the click of a mouse or a swipe of a phone. I can’t tell that we are any wiser. In fact, I think I can argue wisdom is a precious commodity, in short supply! Knowledge is a good thing. Education is valuable but the real need is for wisdom. And not just any wisdom but sound, biblical, godly wisdom. As Solomon came to the throne of Israel, God asked him what he wanted from Him. Do you remember Solomon’s response?
In that night God appeared to Solomon, and said to him, Ask what I shall give you. 8 And Solomon said to God, You have shown great and steadfast love to David my father, and have made me king in his place. 9 O LORD God, let your word to David my father be now fulfilled, for you have made me king over a people as numerous as the dust of the earth. 10 Give me now wisdom and knowledge to go out and come in before this people, for who can govern this people of yours, which is so great? 11 God answered Solomon, Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked possessions, wealth, honor, or the life of those who hate you, and have not even asked long life, but have asked wisdom and knowledge for yourself that you may govern my people over whom I have made you king, 12 wisdom and knowledge are granted to you. I will also give you riches, possessions, and honor, such as none of the kings had who were before you, and none after you shall have the like. 13 So Solomon came from the high place at Gibeon, from before the tent of meeting, to Jerusalem. And he reigned over Israel. (2 Chronicles 1:7-13)
James, the half brother of the Lord Jesus and loving pastor of the church in Jerusalem, is writing to those early scattered believers. He writes to encourage them to remain faithful and to grow up in their faith. The need is for maturity. He also makes it very clear that genuine faith is an active, working faith. He pleads with them to not be hearers or the word only but to be doers of the word. Doctrine, truth is to be lives out. As we wrap up the third chapter of his letter he speaks to these scattered saints about the need for wisdom. Our text this evening is found in James chapter 3, verses 13-18.
Text: James 3:13-18
You might think that James is introducing a new topic here. He’s just been talking about the power of the tongue and the need to bridle that restless evil and now he turns to the topic of wisdom but, they’re related. Wisdom determines the kind of words we use. James makes it clear that divine wisdom always manifests itself in practical, Christian behavior.
As we work our way through this section we discover that…
Thesis: Growing up or maturity in faith demands the recognition, possession and practice of godly wisdom.
This is a very practical matter.
It is essential that we understand this as we seek to live out our faith.
James points out there are two different kinds of wisdom.
They come from different sources and they produce very different results.
- Godly maturity demands you resist the subtle draw of “earthly, natural” wisdom. (3:13-16)
- Godly maturity demands you embrace wisdom from above. (3:17-18)
- Wisdom is found in relationship with the Lord Jesus. (James 2:1; Col. 2:3; 1 Cor 1:24, 30)
- Wisdom is found in the Word of God. (James 1:21; 2 Timothy 3:15)
- Wisdom is God’s gracious gift. (James 1:5)
Growing up or maturity in faith demands the recognition, possession and practice of godly wisdom.
[/section][/sections]