THE TEST OF TRUE SPIRITUAL WISDOM

James 3:13-18

I. THE CONDUCT OF TRUE SPRITUAL

WISDOM

James 3:13 Who is wise and understanding among you? He should show his works by good conduct with wisdom's gentleness.

HCSB

THE CONDUCT OF TRUE SPRITUAL WISDOM

A Christian should show his works by

•good conduct

•with wisdom's gentleness

II. HOW TO DETECT SINFUL WORLDLY

WISDOM

James 3:14 But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your heart, don't brag and lie in defiance of the truth.

HCSB

The Marks of Sinful Worldly Wisdom

•Bitter Envy

•Selfish Ambition in the Heart

•Bragging

•Lying in Defiance of the Truth

“zh~lov zeal. The idea is of a fierce desire to

promote one’s own opinion to the exclusion of others (Ropes).” (Rienecker, A Linguistic Key to the Greek New Testament, 734-735).

πικρος pikrosThayer Definition: 1) bitter 2) metaphorically harsh, virulent

•Bitter Envy

“zh~lov zeal. The idea is of a fierce desire to

promote one’s own opinion to the exclusion of others (Ropes).” (Rienecker, A Linguistic Key to the Greek New

Testament, 734-735).

•Bitter Envy

ejriqei>a eritheia1a) . . . a desire to put one's self forward, a partisan and fractious spirit which does not disdain low arts 1b) partisanship, fractiousness (Thayer, Greek-English

Lexicon of the New Testament. [CD-ROM], Online Bible).

This word is found before NT times only in Aristotle where it denotes a self-seeking pursuit of political office by unfair means.

•Selfish Ambition in the Heart

Psalm 36:2 for in his own eyes he flatters himself too much to discover and hate his sin.

Proverbs 12:15 A fool's way is right in his own eyes, but whoever listens to counsel is wise.

•Bragging

Pro 30:12 There is a generation that is pure in its own eyes, yet is not washed from its filth.

Proverbs 26:12 Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

•Lying in Defiance of the Truth

III. KNOWING THE SOURCE OF SINFUL WORLDLY WISDOM

James 3:15 Such wisdom does not come down from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. HCSB

The Source of Sinful Worldly Wisdom

•Does Not Come Down From

Above

•Earthly

•Sensual

•Demonic

IV. THE RESULTS OF SINFUL WORLDLY

WISDOM

James 3:16 For where envy and selfish ambition exist, there is

disorder and every kind of evil. HCSB

The Results of Sinful Worldly Wisdom

• Envy

• And Selfish Ambition

Produce:

• Disorder

• And Every Kind of Evil.

V. HOW TO DETECT TRUE SPIRITUAL

WISDOM

James 3:17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without

favoritism and hypocrisy. HCSB

The Marks of Genuine Spiritual Wisdom

• Pure

• peace-loving

• gentle

• compliant

• full of mercy

• full of good fruits

• without favoritism

• without hypocrisy

VI. THE HARVEST OF SPIRITUAL WISDOM

James 3:18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make

peace. HCSB

Don’t you want to be

completely sure you are forgiven and

will go to heaven when

you die?

Please come forward

• To receive Christ as your Personal Lord and Savior

• Or to rededicate your life to Christ

• Or to become a member of this Church

• Or to have the Pastor pray with you

Please come forward when we sing the

Hymn

and the Pastor will meet you there.