Godly Wisdom…  [3 points]

• 1^st – Wisdom in Trials… vs. 5-8
  • 1^st – We lack WISDOM… vs. 5
    • If any of you lacks [indicative] wisdom – let [imperative] him ask of God…
      • There are TWO very different kinds of WISDOM – from ABOVE and from BELOW…
      • James 3:15-17 – “This WISDOM does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist – confusion and every evil thing are there. But the WISDOM that is from above is first pure – then peaceable – gentle – willing to yield – full of mercy and good fruits – without partiality and without hypocrisy.”
      • There is WISDOM – that comes from this WORLD – from BELOW…
      • And there is WISDOM [σοφία] – that comes from God – from ABOVE!
      • The WISDOM of God is not the same thing as KNOWLEDGE we learn in the world…
      • Because having Godly WISDOM – knowing the best choices to make in life…
      • This WISDOM is a gift of the Spirit – I Corinthians 12:8
    • Ask God for Wisdom…
      • This is NOT a question – it is a statement of FACT [indicative] we DO lack WISDOM!
      • Therefore we MUST [imperative] as God who is the ONLY source of true WISDOM!
      • When we do the Lord WILL [indicative] – give it liberally / abundantly to us!
      • When we are in the midst of a TRIAL – we often have NO idea what to do…
      • Because we do NOT know what the outcome will be – we CANNOT see tomorrow!
      • We have all felt the helplessness that comes from not being able to see the future…
      • Feeling like a lost little child – not knowing what decision to make…
      • Looking for someone to guide us – needing WISDOM so we do not make a mistake!
      • All we have to do is simply ask – and God is MORE THAN willing to give it to us!
  • 2^nd – What keeps us from ASKING… vs. 5
    • Who gives [indicative] to all liberally and without reproach – and it will be given to him…
    • REPROACH – we would simply say to be ASHAMED…
    • We think God is going to look down on us when we ask for WISDOM…
    • He will be disappointed that we do not KNOW the answer – so we do not ask…
    • But how foolish – that we LACK wisdom is a FACT [indicative] God already knows!
    • He is not surprised when we come to Him for help – in contrast He is WAITING for us to ask!
    • One of the greatest inventions of the past TWENTY years has been Google search…
    • Interesting note – Google is named after the numerical notation googol…
    • 10^100 – that is TEN with a HUNDRED zeroes after it – more than the atoms in the universe!
    • The idea being if we have ANY question – we can ask Google and get an answer!
    • We have been given a SUPER powered Google…
    • The difference is our search engine is powered by the creator of Heaven and Earth…
    • And the answers / WISDOM that He give to us are ABSOLUTE truth!
    • The only catch is we have to be willing to ASK – Matthew 7:7
  • 3^rd – How to ask for WISDOM… vs. 6
    • But let [imperative] him ask in faith…
      • James does give one condition to obtaining the WISDOM…
      • We MUST [imperative] ask in for WISDOM from God in FAITH…
      • FAITH – [πίστις] – 244x in NT – to have TRUST or CONFIDENCE…
      • Because if we do not TRUST – we are not going to believe the WISDOM Jesus provides!
    • With no doubting…
      • For he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind!
      • No DOUBTING– [διακρίνω] – literally no JUDGING…
      • The idea is if we try to inspect / judge the WISDOM of God in the light of this world…
      • Then we will DOUBT God – and not TRUST what He has tells us…
      • Instead of knowing EXACTLY what we should do – we will be CONFUSED!
      • We will be like a WAVE of the sea – driven and tossed by the wind…
      • Like a WAVE that gets battered back and forth by winds coming from all sides…
      • We will waffle back and forth between the IDEAS of men and the TRUTH of God!
      • The WORLD is almost always the exact opposite of what the WORD says…
      • The WORLD says to seek riches – the WORD says to be content – Hebrews 13:5
      • The WORLD says to focus on yourself – the WORD says to die to ourselves – Luke 9:23
      • The WORLD says to be strong – the WORLD says we need to be weak – II Corinthians 12:9
      • If we are listening to the WORLD – we will have a hard time believing the WORD!
  • 4^th – Not receiving WISDOM… vs. 7-8
    • Let not [imperative] that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord…
    • He is a double-minded man – unstable in all his ways!
    • If we are listening to the WISDOM of the world…
    • We MUST not [imperative] assume God will give us ANYTHING!
    • Because we are DOUBLE minded – TWO minds – one for God and one for the world…
    • The result of having TWO minds – we are unstable in ALL of our ways!
    • UNSTABLE– only here NT – meaning we cannot even STAND UP!
    • I have met so many believers who are miserable – they are tossed about like waves…
    • The problem is they think the WISDOM of the world has something to offer them…
    • Therefore they are miserable in the Lord – because they are confused by the world…
    • But they are also not happy with the world – because they know too much about the Lord…
    • They are miserable wherever they go – they CANNOT stand – because they are divided!
    • Luke 16:13 – “No one can serve two masters. You will hate one and love the other…”

• 2^nd – Resources for Trials… vs. 9-11 
  • 1^st – Poor and helpless… vs. 9
    • Let the lowly brother [rejoice] in his [position]…
    • LOWLY [ταπεινός] – to not rise far off the ground – we would say POOR…
    • Let [imperative] the POOR brother REJOICE [imperative] – DOUBLE command…
    • Because a POOR man has NOTHING else but the Lord to put his TRUST in!
    • WHY would we want to REJOICE because we are POOR…
    • Because we are left with NO other option than to look to Jesus…
    • Forcing us to learn the most important lesson – ABIDE – as a result of our TRIALS!
  • 2^nd – Rich and helpless… vs. 10-11
    • But the rich in his humiliation…
      • The rich must REJOICE in their HUMILIATION…
      • HUMILIATION [ταπείνωσις] – same word used for the POOR…
      • Because where the POOR have to DEPEND on the Lord…
      • But the RICH also SHOULD depend on the Lord!
    • JAMES gives an illustration to show us why…
      • As a flower of the field he will pass away…
      • No sooner has the sun risen with a burning heat than it withers the grass – its flower falls…
      • And its beautiful appearance perishes – so the rich man also will fade away in his pursuits!
      • If a RICH man is trusting in his WEALTH to save him from his TRIALS…
      • He is in a dangerous position – because his wealth can fade like a flower in the noon sun!
      • Therefore he SHOULD be putting his TRUST in Jesus – not in his MONEY!
      • Therefore we do not REJOICE in riches – because they are NOT certain…
      • Instead REJOICE that Jesus is the one who NEVER changes!
      • That way we do NOT chase after the empty wealth of this world…
      • Instead we will come in HUMBLE daily dependance on Jesus!
    • Rich or are we poor…
      • POVERTY is an interesting concept – most of us think we are POOR…
      • We think that way because we look at those who are RICHER than we are…
      • HALF of the world lives on less P150 a day / if we have cash in our pocket – we are RICH!
      • But it does NOT matter which label we give ourselves – both are HUMBLED…
      • Either now in POVERTY – or at the end of life when all RICHES of this world are lost…
      • And the HUMBLE man has every reason to REJOICE – because he also NEEDS GRACE!
      • James 4:6 – “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble [same word].”

TRUSTING in our Father of Lights who wants us to bear good FRUIT!

3^rd – Reward from Trials… vs. 12-18

1^st – Endure TEMPTATION… vs. 12

Blessed is the man who endures temptation – for when he has been approved…

He will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him!

BLESSED – OH HOW HAPPY – is the man who endures TEMPTATION…

TEMPTATIONS / TRIALS – as we noted last week these are the SAME word…

ENDURE [ὑπομένω] to abide in Jesus Christ – John 15:4

This is the exact same point that JAMES made in – James 1:2-4

But he adds – we will be BLESSED – because once we are APPROVED…

APPROVED [δόκιμος] – same root word as TESTED – James 1:3

We receive THE CROWN – God promised [indicative] to those that LOVE [ἀγαπάω] Him!

What is the CROWN – TWO possibilities…

I Corinthians 3:12-14 – “Each ones work will become clear for the Day will declare it – because it will be revealed by fire… If anyones work… endures he will receive a reward.”

Anything done with a selfish motive – is wood / hay / and stubble – burns up in the fire…

But anything we do out of a RIGHT heart – will be Gold / silver / and jewels…

Then at BEMA seat of Christ – II Corinthians 5:10

We will receive rewards – CROWNS – for the good things done for the Lord…

We can then throw the Crowns at the feet of Jesus – Revelation 4:10

The problem with CROWNS as rewards…

CROWN [στέφανος] is only described FIVE times in the Bible…

I Corinthians 9:25 / II Timothy 4:8 / James 1:12 / I Peter 5:4 / Revelation 2:10

CROWN is always singular – not crowns – meaning there is ONLY one!

Also the description of the CROWN – suggests the one CROWN we receive is ETERNAL LIFE…

Eternal Crown / Crown of Righteousness / Crown of Life / and Crown of Glory!

Finally the idea of CROWNS as REWARDS – focuses on the wrong thing…

We are looking to receive a REWARD from the Lord – as if He owes us!

Thinking that we earn extra rewards / CROWNS for our works – brings pride…

We think we are better because of what we have done for the Lord…

There is a sense of spiritual self-righteousness – spiritual superiority…

Or a sense of condemnation – because we think we have not done enough!

Our CROWN is Eternal life…

Whether we are saved young or old – our reward is Heaven – Matthew 20:1-16

Whether we were the greatest Apostle – or only saved a day – our CROWN is Heaven…

In other words it is not about how much work we do for the Lord…

It is about what HE did for us – the CROWN of life that HE gives to those who LOVE Him…

Therefore we are wise to endure TRIALS – because they come with an eternal reward!

2^nd – Origin of TEMPTATIONS… vs. 13-15

Let no one say [imperative] when he is tempted – I am tempted by God… vs. 13

For God cannot be tempted by evil – nor does He Himself tempt anyone!

TEMPTATION [πειράζω] – the word TEMPTATION / TRIAL are the same word…

A TRIAL – is a TEST from God / a TEMPTATION – is not from God…

We do go through TEMPTATIONS – but God is NEVER the source!

Not that we do not still try and BLAME God – just like Adam and Eve – Genesis 3:12

When God asked Adam what he had done he blamed God – the women YOU gave me…

When God asked Eve she blamed God – it was the serpent God made!

But it was NOT God who made Adam and Eve sin – they CHOSE to rebel against God…

They were deceived by their own LUSTS – their PRIDE – desire to be LIKE God!

I John 2:16 – “All that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.”

Where do TEMPTATIONS come from… vs. 14

Each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed!

We are TEMPLATED [passive] when we are DRAW AWAY by our own LUSTS…

DRAWN AWAY – only here NT – to be LURED out by BAIT!

A number of times we have gone fishing at MCC after church for lunch…

You have to feel sorry for those fish – the worm drops in the water…

And they are LURED out of their safety – because they are ENTICED [deceived] …

Their DESIRE [lust] for the worm – ends up making them LUNCH!

No one wakes up one day and says – I think I want to ruin my life today…

We are TEMPTED by something because we genuinely think it will make us happy…

If I can only get that perfect figure – then I will be beautiful…

If I can only get that next promotion – then I will have enough money…

If only I look at that picture on the internet – then I will be satisfied!

But we are DECEIVED – these desires are not from the Lord!

Desire brings death… vs. 15

Next – when desire has conceived…

Desire CONCEIVES – speaking of the conception – the beginning of a pregnancy…

Sin begins as a thought – some idea that comes into our head…

Often it is provoked by something we see / something we hear – planting a seed!

TEMPTATION does not become SIN until we DWELL on – keep thinking about…

Because the battle for our actions begins in our mind…

If we are THINKING about SINNING – then we can expect we fall into SIN…

We cannot keep a bird from landing on your head – but do not let him build a nest!

It gives birth to sin…

When CONCEIVING – the fun part – is over we move on to the birthing part…

And perhaps intentionally so – it speaks of a process that is EXTREMELY painful!

Because once we chose to give in to our DESIRES – we give BIRTH to sin!

The word CONCEIVE can also be used to describe taken a permanent PRISONER…

Which is also what our desires to – they lead to sin that makes us a prisoner!

Romans 6:16 – “[We] become the slave of whatever [we] choose to obey? [We] can be a slave to sin – which leads to death – or [we] can choose to obey God…”

Sin is like a drug – the most addictive kind of drug – and it will take over our life…

Sin can seem to be enjoyable – but it sucks us in – and we become PRISONERS…

In the end we find we are in bondage to sin – morally and spiritually bankrupt!

And sin – when it is full grown – brings forth death!

When God told Adam and Eve not to eat of the tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil…

He warned them if they did they would SURELY DIE – Genesis 2:17

Yet they did NOT die the moment they ate the FRUIT!

SURELY DIE [מוֹת תָּמֽוּת] – DIE is repeated twice here – DIE [imperfect] / DIE [infinitive] …

We could translate it – you will start dying [imperfect] physically…

But you will immediately be a dead man [infinitive] spiritually!

We likewise – if we give into TEMPTATION – and it brings forth sin…

The result is we DIE – not immediately – but spiritually we are separated from God…

And one day if we do NOT repent – we will face the SECOND death – Romans 6:23

3^rd – Do not be deceived… vs. 16-18

Do not [imperative] be deceived – my beloved brethren… vs. 16

DECEIVED – [πλανάω] – where we get the word PLANET – the WORLD…

We have to be so careful what TEMPTATIONS we allow into our lives…

If we are constantly pumping social media / Hollywood / advertising into our heads…

Is it no wonder that we are being DECEIVED by this world!

Instead of being filled with the wisdom of the WORLD– we need to be filled with the WORD!

Matthew 18:13 – “Jesus answered and said to them – you are DECEIVED [πλανάω] – not knowing the Scriptures or the power of God.”

Every good and perfect gift… vs. 17

Every good gift and perfect gift is from above – and comes down from the Father of lights…

There are TWO kinds of gifts that come down from our Father!

Good GIFT – [δόσις] – speaks of a financial GIFT – Philippians 4:15

Perfect GIFT – [δώρημα] – speaks of spiritual GIFT – our salvation – Romans 5:16

Both come down from the FATHER OF LIGHTS – a unique title given only here!

Where sin seeks to DECEIVE us and make us CAPTIVES…

Our Heavenly Father will light our way to the TRUTH – and set us FREE!

With whom there is no variation or shadow of turning!

This is a powerful illustration – contrasting GOD to the SUN…

The sun is always changing positions causing our shadow to move all over…

But the light of our Father is ABSOLUTE – it NEVER moves or changes!

The will of God… vs. 18

Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth…

That we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures!

JAMES concludes with a contrast – desire that conceives sin – sin that brings forth death…

God brought us forth by the Word of Truth – that we might bear FRUIT!

The question we are left to ask is which life are we living…

Are we tossed around by the winds of this world – or are we asking for WISDOM!

Are we putting out trust in RICHES – or humbled knowing we have GRACE!

Are we falling into temptation – or are we enduring knowing we have a CROWN!