Posted by Lisa Laree to Beer Lahai Roi
The Epistle of James: A Blogged Bible Study
The study to date:
May 1: Study intro
May 8: James 1:1 Intro to the Epistle of James
May 15: James 1:2 – 18 Make Quality Decisions
May 22: James 1:19-27 Make Real Changes
May 29: James 2:1-13 Live the Law of Freedom
June 5: James 2:14 – 26 Demonstrate Real Faith
June 12: James 3: 1 - 12 Discipline the Tongue
June 26: James 3:13 - 18 Recognize True Wisdom
I've got to do a bit of a disclaimer for this particular lesson; it's a compare/contrast deal and I always taught it by making two columns on a dry erase board and talking my way through the comparisons. The notes in my file are simply the two columns of contrasted points. So, um, this lesson is going to be different than the way I taught it in the past. But, hey, I could use a good look at what constitutes real wisdom anyway....
I. Call for Wisdom - 3:13
After his discussion of words and the use of them, James issues a challenge for those who are 'wise and understanding': to show that wisdom by conducting themselves rightly, doing all things from the humility that proceeds from true wisdom.
II. Beware Earthly Wisdom - 3:14- 16
The next word is 'But'...so you know there's a contrast coming, a warning to be heeded. Contrasted with the challenge to the wise is a description of what is not a basis for wise action: bitter envy and selfish ambition harbored in the heart.
James actually is instructing folks to check the basis for action, and if they find that there is envy and selfishness at the core of their being, he issues a stern warning: Don't boast about it or deny the truth. Now, there are two ways we can consider that warning:
- don't be proud of your selfish motives. "Looking out for Number One!" implies that God is not trustworthy. Making decisions based on personal happiness without regard to personal responsibility destroys relationships and does not reflect the way God has dealt with His people; it misrepresents the One that gave us the example of how to live.
- don't deny the heart content, covering up the true motives and refusing to deal with the issues. Don't be a manipulator
That self-focus, James says, is the foundation for earthly, natural wisdom. But he doesn't stop there; he actually says the devil himself is the source of such 'wisdom'. Think for a minute about the Garden of Eden and the lies the serpent told Eve. He managed to get her to question that God had her best interests in His heart, which lead her to desire something for herself outside of God's intentions for her, and to act on that desire. That has been the lie of the world ever since: put yourself first. James lays social disorder and evil deeds right at that root cause: envy and selfish ambition.
III. Cultivate Heavenly Wisdom.
Once again the word 'But' introduces the contrast. Now, though, the earthly wisdom that is the cause of strife and evil practices is contrasted with the wisdom that comes from heaven, which is, first of all, pure in the motive for all actions. No taint of selfishness or jealousy in any of its actions. Next, the wisdom from God is peace-loving. Not 'peace at any price' loving, but one that loves the peace of God that passes all understanding and seeks to spread that peace. Heavenly wisdom is considerate, which means it causes folks to think of the needs of others. It is submissive, recognizing and respecting true authority. It is full of mercy and good fruit. It is impartial, not showing favoritism to any one above another. Finally, it is sincere, since it flows from a heart that has been cleansed of selfish motives.
And, just as the false wisdom has the result of disorder and evil, heavenly wisdom is a peacemaking practice, which results in righteousness.
Things to think about: Think about the last time a decision was made to spend a chunk of money, the last time a decision was made to spend uncommitted time, and the last time a relationship issue was dealt with. What was revealed about heart motives in each of those decisions? How did - or didn't - the input you had in those decisions reveal a heart attitude of trust in God and the application of heavenly wisdom?
STUDY NOTE: Since I was pretty much out of pocket last Friday and missed posting, I'm going to post the next study on Monday as part of my 'Jubilee' posts...since part of Jubilee is fulfilling obligations, it sort of works! I want to finish the study before the next Regularly Scheduled Blogging Break, so I'll have to do an extra sometime anyway. Thought I'd pass along a heads up as to when it will be.
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