Tag Archives: Wisdom

Youth Answers Age

by • on 9:49 AM • in Doctrinal Teachings, Job Commentary Notes, Job Study

 

 

Job 32-37

 

In this lesson we meet Job’s fourth and final friend, Elihu.

Outline

Generally, younger people turn to older generations of men and women for advice and comfort during though times. It is just common sense to seek wisdom from people who have already seen and gone through the various trials that occur throughout life. But Elihu reverses roles in the final chapters of Job. He thinks that he has wisdom to impart to his older counterpart-and he actually has the mettle to voice his views.

Job 32

A new participant, who had been there all along with the other 3 (vv. 3-5), entered the debate over Job’s condition. This was the younger Elihu, who took a new approach to the issue of Job’s suffering. Angry with the other 3, he had some new thoughts, but was very hard on Job. Elihu was full of self-importance and verbose, but his approach was refreshing after listening repetitiously to the others; actually, he was not really helpful to Job. Why was it necessary to record and read these four blustering speeches by this man? Because they happened as part of the story, while Job was still waiting for God to disclose Himself (Chs. 38-41).

Job 33

The first of Elihu’s challenges to Job began with proud claims (vv. 1-7), followed by references to Job’s questions/complaints (vv. 8-11). Then came Elihu’s answers (vv. 12-33).

Job 34

Elihu addressed Job and his accusers. His approach was to quote Job directly (vv. 5-9), then respond to his complaints; but at times he misinterpreted Job’s remarks and at other times he put the word of the accusers in Job’s mouth. The most obvious example of the latter wrong doing was in saying the Job claimed to be sinlessly perfect (v. 6). Job never claimed that; in fact, Job acknowledged his sin (7:21; 13:26). Elihu didn’t know it, but God had pronounced Job innocent (1:8; 2:3). In answer to Job’s complaints that God seemed unjust, Elihu reminded Job that God was too holy to do anything wrong (v. 10), fair in dealing with people (vv. 11, 12), powerful (vv. 13, 14), just (vv. 17, 18), impartial (vv. 19, 20), omniscient (vv. 21, 22), the Judge of all (v. 23), and the Sovereign who does what He wills to prevent evil (vv. 24-30).

Job 35

Elihu again referred to Job’s complaints, first of all his thinking that there appeared to be no advantage to being righteous (v. 3), as recorded in 21:15; 34:9. The 1st part of his answer is that Job gained nothing by sinning or not sinning because God was so high that nothing people do affects Him (vv. 5-7); it only affects other people (v. 8). Job had also complained that God did not answer his prayers when he cried under this oppression (24:12; 30:20). Elihu gave three reasons why Job’s prayers had not been heard: Pride (vv. 10, 12), wrong motives (v. 13), and lack of patent trust (v. 14). Again, all this theoretical talk missed Job’s predicament because he was righteous. Elihu was no more help than the other counselors.

Job 36-37

Elihu had agreed with his 3 co-counselors that Job had sinned, if nowhere else in the way he questioned God (33:12) by seeing his suffering as indicative that God is unjust (34:34-37) & by feeling that righteousness had no reward (ch. 35). In this final answer to Job he turned to focus mostly on God rather than the sufferer (v.2)

Elihu’s Speeches

1. Elihu enters into the debate to break the impasse (ch. 32).

2. Elihu charges Job with presumption in criticizing God, not recognizing that God may have a loving purpose, even in allowing Job to suffer (ch. 33)

3. Elihu declares that Job has impugned God’s integrity by claiming that it does not pay to lead a godly life (ch. 34).

4. Elihu urges Job to wait patiently for the Lord (ch. 35).

5. Elihu believes that God is disciplining Job (ch. 36)

6. Elihu argues that human observers can hardly expect to understand adequately God’s dealing in administering justice and mercy (36:22-37:24).

Key Word

Affliction: 10:15; 30:16, 27; 36:8, 15, 21. This word comes from a root meaning “misery” or “poverty.” The image evoked by this word is that of a person bowed down under the weight of a heavy burden. Scripture portrays the Lord as seeing the afflictions that bring pain to His people and hearing the anguished cried of those in distress (as in Gen. 16:11; ex. 2:23-25). The Lord urges us to place our burdens on Him, for He is strong enough to bear them and loves us so much that He will assist us in our time of need (1 Peter 5:7). Moreover, since He controls all events, we can be assured that He is accomplishing good out of the temporary difficulties we are now facing (Romans 8:28).The entire story of Job provides vivid example of this fact (42:10-17; 2 Cor. 12:7-10).

Questions

1. What is Elihu’s view of God?

2. Elihu says that Job must “wait” for God (36:14). How would you describe Job’s waiting?

*3. Not all of Elihu’s advice is misguided. He does propose that God, if He were sought, would give cheer and comfort in the night when things seem more hopeless than ever (35:10). When, if ever, have you received from God a “song in the night”?

4. Why does Elihu’s “ministry” not offer any substantial help to Job?

Did You Know?

People often wonder why the Book of Job is found in the middle of the Old Testament when it is one of the oldest books in the Bible. It has to do with how the Bible is organized. Just as the Gospels are grouped together in the New Testament, the Wisdom books of the Old Testament are grouped together. Even though it contains a fascinating story of the life of a man and his God, the Book of Job is a book of wisdom. That is why it is grouped with the other four Wisdom books (Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon), and is not found in chronological order near Genesis.

 

 

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True Wisdom Comes From God (Part 3)

by • on 8:43 PM • in James

 

 

 

James 3:13-18 (Part 3)

Intro:

A. Two weeks ago (Part 1), we began our study on Wisdom

       1. Everybody operates on the wisdom they possess

 

B. James says that not all wisdom is from God

       1. In Part 2, last week, we saw that some wisdom is earthly, sensual, demonic

 

C. Some people are filled with a GOOD ENVY of other believers;

       1. And it CAUSES them to DESIRE to BE LIKE those they RESPECT

 

D. Yet others are filled with BITTER ENVY

       1. Which causes a person to

 

“Desire to DESTROY the GOOD they see in another”

 

E. This type of ‘WISDOM’ is NOT from God

1. But rather, this is the WISDOM of the WORLD; SENSUAL; DEMONIC

 

F. And James went on to say (verse 16);

       1. That where this type of ENVY and STRIFE exist;

       2. There will be CONFUSION and EVERY EVIL work

 

G. And that’s the problem with STRIFE/BITTER ENVY

       1. Your life just begins to UNRAVEL

       2. You make BAD DECISION after BAD DECISION

       3. And a person’s life just begins to FALL APART

 

 

 

H. People who dwell in this realm, and CONTINUALLY SPIRALING DOWNWARD

1. There is just NO LIMIT to the DEPTH of DESPAIR that

a. Satan will take you too –

a. If you SURRENDER to this type of ‘WISDOM’

 

I. It’s just NOT OF GOD

    1. God is not the AUTHOR of CONFUSION, or of –

2. HATE / BITTERNESS / DESTRUCTION

 

J. I was even amazed this past week in my BIBLE READING;

       1. How when JUDAS ISCARIOT had the audacity to

a. REBUKE MARY for ANOINTING Jesus feet

 

K. What I had NEVER NOTICED before was that

1. CHRIST DIDN’T confront JUDAS for being a THIEF;

      2. He just told JUDAS to leave MARY ALONE

 

L. Even Christ did NOT COME TO JUDGE the world;

       1. Listen to what He said in –

 

John 12:46-47

46 I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness. 47 And if anyone hears My words and does not believe, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world.

 

M. Even Christ did not come to JUDGE the world;

       1. Yet so many people today are DECEIVED into –

a. This JUDGMENTAL WISDOM;

              b. That is EARTHLY; SENSUAL; DEMONIC

 

 

So today, James gives us a CLEAR DESCRIPTION of GODLY WISDOM—

            1st of all in Verse 17, James says:

 

James 3:17-18 (NKJV)

17 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.

 

A. let’s break this verse down a bit;

       1. 1st of all the word ‘WISDOM’ as we studies in PART 1 of this series;

 

 

‘WISDOM’

“The quality of being wise, the power of judging rightly and following the soundest course of action, based on knowledge, experience, understanding etc. Good judgment; discretion.”

 

 

B. WISDOM is the ABILITY to make CORRECT DECISIONS;

       1. Based on GIVEN KNOWLEDGE

 

C. Many people can have MUCH KNOWLEDGE

       1. But only some have GODLY WISDOM

 

D. And you remember in PART 1 of our SERIES;

       1. That WISDOM actually referred to a WISE MAN or a WATCHMAN

 

“A watchman used to ascend to the mountains so that he might see all around. He would seek a FULL and CLEAR view of his surroundings before he would make his decision.”

 

E. We saw the example of this with King BALAK / BALAAM;

      1. How King Balak to BALAAM up to the TOP of the MOUNTAIN before he cursed Israel

 

Again in the N. T., the Greeks who would study the solar system and the movements of the heavens were also called ‘WISE MEN’ because they sought to regulate their lives based on the movements of the heavens.

 

A. So the basic idea in true wisdom is to GATHER all the FACTS before we make BIG DECISIONS

       1. Who to MARRY

       2. Where to LIVE

       3. CAREER / CALLING in life

 

 

So 1st of all James says –

 

17a But the wisdom that is from above

‘From Above’ means “From the TOP”

 

 

A. it’s the same word that is used in MK. 15:38 when the TEMPLE VEIL was torn –

1. ‘From TOP to BOTTOM’

 

“TRUE WISDOM comes from the TOP DOWN”

 

B. Mankind thinks that he is so WISE;

       1. Yet w/o WISDOM from ABOVE;

       2. There can be NO TRUE WISDOM

 

Romans 1:18-32 (NKJV)
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man–and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.

24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, 25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

 

C. TRUE WISDOM is ALWAYS –

       1. “From the TOP DOWN”

 

D. Then James says, the PROOF that it did come from ABOVE, is that it –

 

 

17b – is first pure,

 

A. God’s Wisdom is———- FIRST PURE

 

 

‘FIRST’:

“firstly in order; first of all; chiefly; before”

 

“TRUE WISDOM that has COME DOWN from ABOVE, will be FIRSTLY PURE”

 

 

‘PURE’

“Innocent; modest; clean”

 

The wisdom that God imparts is PURE from EVERY FAULT / MOTIVE

 

“If a person desires to know if he/she is operating under the wisdom of God, the 1st thing they should do is EXAMINE their MOTIVES”

 

1. “Why am I doing this”

2. “Why am I not doing that?”

3. “If I make this decision, what is motivating me?”

       a. Are my MOTIVES PURE?

 

PURE motives are always the basis for Godly wisdom

 

 

Paul describes this kind of PURITY in the Corinthian church in his 2nd letter

 

2 Corinthians 7:8-11 (NKJV)
8 For even if I made you sorry with my letter, I do not regret it; though I did regret it. For I perceive that the same epistle made you sorry, though only for a while. 9 Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that your sorrow led to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly manner, that you might suffer loss from us in nothing. 10 For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.
11 For observe this very thing, that you sorrowed in a godly manner: What diligence it produced in you, what clearing of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what vehement desire, what zeal, what vindication! In all things you proved yourselves to be clear in this matter.

 

C. The MOTIVE of their hearts were PURE

1. Their repentance was W/O IMPURITY

       2. They had INNOCENT MOTIVES in their REPENTANCE

 

 

Philippians 4:8-9
8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure (God’s wisdom is 1st PURE), whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy–meditate on these things.
9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.

 

E. TRUE WISDOM always begins with PURITY /MOTIVE

       1. “What is MOTIVATING me to make this decision?”

 

 

F. Often times it’s FEAR

       1. Fear is MOTIVATING us to MOVE FORWARD

       2. When God is really saying

 

 

I think this a ‘Word’ from God for someone here today. You’ve been asking God for an answer, and He says to you today:

 

 

“Be still and know that I am God. You don’t need to worry. My wisdom is PURE. I will lead you. I will show you where to go and what to do. Just do NOT FEAR”

 

 

The word ‘PURE’ here, also has to do with the word ‘HOLY’

 

‘PURE’ / ‘HOLY’—–

“Free from the admixture of evil; free from defilement.”

 

 

“when tested it is proven PURE”

 

 

If you were to hold your heart, or motivation up against the SUNLIGHT, your motives would not reveal any hidden cracks

 

 

ILLUSTRATION:

“Hypocrite” – Like wax added to a marble statue. Statue appears to be ‘whole’ / ‘pure’, yet when scrutinized by the SUNLIGHT, the WAX MELTS and proves the statue IMPURE

 

To be PURE/HOLY is to ‘be w/o hidden motives ore agendas’

 

 

G. Often a person’s DECISIONS can seem either:

    1. VERY GOOD

    2. Or VERY BAD

 

H. Yet we really can’t see the MOTIVES of a person’s heart;

       1. So we let God REVEAL their CHARACTER over time

 

I. Eventually what is hidden will come to light

1. GOOD or BAD

 

J. So 1st of all—

 

17 …the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable,

 

A. Denotes ‘PEACEFUL’

       1. There is a sense of PEACE that comes from the WISDOM of God

 

 

B. You and your family may be facing a very difficult decision;

       1. And you don’t know what to do

 

C. When God’s Wisdom is imparted, and you as the leader make the call

       1. IT PRODUCES PEACE

       2. or PEACEFULNESS

 

“I know that this is what God is calling us to do. I have peace over this matter. I may not know how this will turn out, but God has given me His peace”

 

God’s wisdom never brings CHAOS, RUIN or DESTRUCTION

 

 

Wisdom from above, begins with PURE MOTIVES, and results in a peacefulness. A rest. A confidence.

 

“I don’t need to do anything else”

 

D. Wisdom from above is also -

 

17d gentle,

“Appropriate or Patient”

 

A. God’s wisdom will never harm others

 

B. God’s wisdom produces patience with others

       1. It allows others there ‘SPACE’

 

 

We don’t know where one another are at in our walks with God. True wisdom causes us to be gentle with others

 

17e willing to yield,

“Compliant; easy to be in treated”

 

“Heavenly wisdom is unchanging, well-persuaded of its own unchangeableness. Heavenly wisdom can be freely approached. It is not rigid, but is open to discussion; will not waver but will attempt in gentleness to persuade.”

 

17f full of mercy and good fruits,

Mercy is the opposite of JUSTICE

 

In JUSTICE we may give someone what ‘THEY DESERVE’. Whereas MERCY is really to PARDON someone.

 

The wisdom of God READILY PARDONS others

 

If you see or know or are a person W/O MERCY; then you are watching or acting with wisdom that is NOT of God

 

God’s WISDOM is MERCIFUL

 

Even as GOD DELIGHTS in giving us MERCY

 

So Too HIS WISDOM will ALWAYS PRODUCE the GOOD FRUIT of MERCY

 

Nothing worse than a MERCILESS PERSON

 

Satan is W/O MERCY and those who operate W/O MERCY are operating in earthly/ sensual / demonic wisdom

 

If you are a MERCILESS person, I’ll caution you, God has your number!

 

“Blessed are the MERCIFUL for they shall receive MERCY”

 

 

17g without partiality and without hypocrisy.

 

God’s wisdom is without uncertainty or indecision,

 

 

Wisdom that is from above is SECURE / stable / confident

 

 

There’s just a SURETY that comes with GOD’S WISDOM

 

 

“I know that I know; that I am to make this decision”

 

 

 

ILLUSTRATION:

1. To marry Celeste (God gave us both confidence)

2. Often a decision to move in one direction seems absurd;

       a. Yet God gives the PEACE and ASSURANCE to GO FORWARD

 

 

18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace (rest/quietness).

 

“The SEED contains the FRUIT”

 

“Those who MAKE PEACE, produce a HARVEST of RIGHTEOUSNESS”

 

 

Peace is the sense of rest and contentment

 

“Ah, this is good. Relaxed. Restful. Confident”

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“True Wisdom Comes from God” (Part 2)

by • on 8:04 PM • in James

 

 

 

James 3:13-18

 

Intro:

A. Last week in verse 13, James said:

13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom.

 

 

B. Now in verse 14, James continues—

14 But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth.

 

A. The phrase ‘BITTER ENVY’ has an interesting interpretation:

          1. FIRST OF ALL, the word ‘BITTER’ means:

 

‘BITTER’ – “Causing pain; piercing; stinging.

Characterized by: intense antagonism or hostility.”

 

The word ‘BITTER’ actually comes from the ROOT WORD which means:    “To FIX or to SET UP (a tent) – PITCH”

 

 

A person who FIXES their FOCUS on another person’s WELL BEING; which causes them PAIN and manifests in INTENSE ANTAGONISM or HOSTILITY

 

 

 

B. The word ‘ENVYING’ here can have 2 meanings;

          1. One meaning has to do with DESIRING to be like another person

          2. The 2nd type of ENVYING is what James uses,

a. Meaning to SEEK to HARM another

 

C. The DEFINITION of this word is so POWERFUL and so KEY to our study;

          1. That I’d like to READ the entire DEFINITION to you

 

 

The GREEK word for ENVY is the word:

 

‘ZELOS’ = “Zeal or ENVY which can be used in a GOOD SENSE. Zelos signifies honorable emulation with the consequent imitation of that which seems excellent.”

 

 

In other words, godly envy can produce a desire to receive the same blessings as another person may have

 

 

“According to Aristotle:

‘zelos’ grieves, not because another has the good, but that one does not have it, and seeks to supply such deficiencies in himself. However, ‘zelos’ may degenerate into a desire to MAKE WAR UPON the GOOD which it beholds in another, and thus to trouble that good and diminish it. This is why we find ‘zelos’ (envy) joined together with CONTENTION.”

 

 

A. ENVY or ZEAL can be for GOOD or for HARM

          1. When we OBSERVE the GOOD in another

                   a. We may GRIEVE because we do NOT have it in our own lives

          2. OR…

                   a. When we observe GOOD in another CHRISTIAN;

                             i. If not careful, we may become JEALOUS of them

                             ii. And our ENVY could change from GOOD to BAD

                             iii. Creating within us a DESIRE to MAKE WAR / HARM them

 

 

What JAMES is WARNING us of is to be careful if you:

 

 

“To FIX your EYES upon another person’s GOOD. If it CAUSES PAIN (which is jealousy), turn away quickly lest it result in INTENSE ANTAGONISM or even HOSTILITY towards that person”

 

 

A person with BITTER ENVY is a person who seeks to DESTROY the good they see in others.

 

One of the 1st Biblical accounts we see of BITTER ENVY is found in Genesis 4

I’d like to have you turn there with me please…

 

Genesis 4:1-8

1 Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, and said, “I have acquired a man from the Lord.” (she thought he was the Messiah)

2 Then she bore again, this time his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.

3 And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the Lord. (the work of his hands. God had shown them to offer the sacrifice of an animal, but Cain made up his own rules and brought vegetables instead of a blood offering.)

4 Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the Lord respected Abel and his offering, (God accepted Abel’s offering, because it was made by faith and OBEDIENCE to God’s instructions)

5 but He did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell.

 

A. This is where the BITTER ENVY set in

1. CAIN had DISOBEYED God’s clear instructions,

2. While ABLE had by FAITH obeyed the LORD and as a result;

a. God ACCEPTED ABEL’S offering

 

B. So what did Cain do?

1. Did he REPENT and get RIGHT with God —

a. That he might be BLESSED TOO?

 

C. NO!!!

1. Instead he displayed this BITTER ENVYING of his brother ABEL

2. Not to be LIKE him but to DESTROY him out of JEALOUSY!

a. That’s what BITTER ENVYING does

 

“It may take a while to set in, but when it comes to FRUITION; it’s only mission is to DESTROY the person(s) it’s JEALOUS of. But what the destroyer doesn’t realize, is that he / she is destroying themselves at the same time.”

 

 

6 So the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen?

 

A. God calls him to account

1. He’s really pointing out Cain’s BITTER ENVYING of Abel

2. And God is WARNING CAIN—

 

‘YOU’D BETTER DEAL WITH THIS WEED in your heart before it DESTROYS YOUR OWN LIFE!’

 

B. You see, CAIN was JEALOUS of ABEL

          1. Because Able OBEYED God and was BLESSED for it

         

C. While CAIN DISOBEYED God

          1. And was REJECTED for it

 

D. So instead of REPENTING and DOING the RIGHT thing;

          1. He became JEALOUS of ABLE

                   a. And SOUGHT to DESTROY him…

 

E. If you don’t think that BITTER ENVYING will destroy your life;

          1. Look at what it did to CAIN’S LIFE—

 

F. Now 1st of all, God WARNS CAIN;

          1. You can GET IT RIGHT and be BLESSED

 

G. OR…you can SUCCUMB to the TEMPTATION of JEALOUSY of ABLE

          1. and let BITTER ENVYING — destroy your life

 

 

7a If you do well, will you not be accepted?

 

A. Do you see what God is telling CAIN?

          1. DO RIGHT — BE BLESSED

          2. DISOBEY ME — and you will SUFFER the CONSEQUENCES

 

B. Your problem CAIN is NOT ABLE

          1. Your problem CAIN is your own REBELLION to do the RIGHT THING

                   a. So DON’T BLAME Able

         

“The CONSEQUENCES of       YOUR SIN is your OWN FAULT. You can’t blame anyone else but YOURSELF. And I’ll even be GRACIOUS and GIVE you space to REPENT so that you TOO will be BLESSED!”

 

C. You see;

          1. The PROBLEM with BITTER ENVY is…

          2. Satan deceives you into thinking that—

 

“Your problem is really the person who has the life you want. Your problem is really that you’ve been handed the SHORT END of the STICK.”

 

So if you can just DESTROY the person you’re JEALOUS OF, then you will finally feel some relief.

 

But notice what God says to this FOOLISH type of ‘WISDOM’

 

 

7b And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door.

 

A. In other words,

          1. If you REFUSE to REPENT of your BITTER ENVYING

          2. The CONSEQUENCES are WAITING at your DOORWAY

                   a. Waiting to DESTROY your life!

 

“You can do what is right and be blessed like your brother ABLE; or you can EMBRACE the BITTER ENVYING in your HEART; but BEWARE, the IMMEDIATE destruction to your life is waiting for you.”

 

 

7c And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.”

 

A. “Cain, BITTER ENVYING is a battle for a lot of people

          1. BUT GOD… has given you VICTORY over it

                   a. BUT YOU…must chose to OBEY and DO RIGHT

 

But CAIN didn’t listen to GOD and he ALLOWED the BITTER ENVYING of his brother ABLE to GROW.

 

And DAY-BY-DAY, his BITTERNESS and RESENTMENT towards ABLE grew, until finally one day—

 

8 Now Cain talked with Abel his brother; and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him.

 

BITTER ENVYING finally got the BEST of CAIN and his JEALOUSY finally overcame him and he KILLED Abel.

 

A. When other believers obey God and He blesses them;

          1. And all the while we may be LIVING in disobedience

          2. When GOD BLESSES those who are LIVING RIGHT

 

 

We all face 1 of 2 choices

          #1. We can ENVY them and DESIRE to be blessed like them

          #2. We can allow our Envy to turn to BITTERNESS;

a. Which leads to destruction:

          * Destruction of a relationship (ruined friendship/marriage)

          * Destruction of fellowship with God (no more intimacy)

          * In the END a TOTAL WASTED LIFE (better to not live)

 

 

Galatians 6:7-10

7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.

8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.

9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.

 

 

A. Why’s God always bless everyone else?!

1. Why doesn’t He ever bless me?!

2. I’m living right, what’s wrong?!

 

B. Don’t grow weary, you will reap in due season

1. God’s promise to us all!

 

Only other option is to allow BITTER ENVYING of those who we see as blessed to DESTROY us and our relationship with them!

 

10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.

 

The ALTERNATIVE to being filled with BITTER ENVY of another is: DO GOOD to the person you are tempted to be JEALOUS of!

 

 

The Bible uses this word for ENVY in several other texts, such as:

 

Acts 5:12-18 (NKJV)

12 And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. And they were all with one accord in Solomon’s Porch.

13 Yet none of the rest dared join them, but the people esteemed them highly. 14 And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, 15 so that they brought the sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them. 16 Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed. 17 Then the high priest rose up, and all those who were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with indignation,

18 and laid their hands on the apostles and put them in the common prison.

 

D. The Pharisees were JEALOUS of the GOOD they saw in the APOSTLES;

          1. So they sought to DESTROY them

          2. “BITTER ENVY”

 

 

Also, another example of the FORM of this word is used in —

 

Romans 13:11-14

11 And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. 12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. 13 Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.

 

 

F. The WORLD lives in STRIFE and ENVY

          1. Constantly seeking to HARM one another

          2. Constantly seeking to EXCEL at the COST of SOMEONE ELSE

 

 

G. And JAMES says, that’s NOT GOD’S WISDOM

 

 

God’s wisdom would NEVER seek to HARM someone else in order to get a head.

 

 

If your hear is filled with BITTER ENVYING; Know that – that “WISDOM” is not from God

 

 

It is never God’s way for you to harm someone else in order that you might be recognized.

 

 

if you see good in someone else and it motivates you to harm them, heads up! you’re not hearing the voice of god!!!

 

 

Paul also used this word in —

 

Galatians 5:19-21 (NKJV)

19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

 

J. So obviously BITTER ENVY;

          1. A seeking to DESTROY the GOOD in someone else you see

          2. Is from the PIT OF HELL

          3. And if that describes your heart, then you’d better FLEE!!!

 

 

K. BITTERNESS is an EXTREMELY DANGEROUS ALIMENT!!!

          1. Turn with me to —-

 

Hebrews 12:12-17 (NKJV)

12 Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees,

13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed. 14 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: 15 looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled; 16 lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright. 17 For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears.

 

 

“BITTER ENVYING: A desire to destroy the good you see in someone else.”

 

 

NOT WISDOM from God

 

Note also here in Verse 14, James adds this word: STRIFE:

 

‘STRIFE’ = “Susceptible of being bribed or corrupted, selfishness, a self-willed positive-ness.”

 

A. To me it really brings up the idea of REBELLIOUS

          1. A person who creates STRIFE is a REBELLIOUS person

 

 

B. Again, JAMES is WARNING CHRISTIANS not to be filled with:

          1. BITTER ENVY and STRIFE

 

 

People who have BITTER ENVY are people who are SUSCEPTIBLE of being CORRUPTED by other people’s WORDS and IDEAS.

 

 

Do you realize that GOD ALLOWS SATAN to TEST your faith?

          1. Is your faith / WISDOM founded on FERTILE SOIL?

         

 

Satan is seeking those whom he may devour; and one of his greatest weapons I believe is through BITTERNESS; ENVY and STRIFE

 

 

God allowed Satan to TEST JOB’S FAITH. Satan didn’t believe that Job loved God without ulterior motives.

 

 

Do you know that Satan’s greatest strategy against you this morning is to

 

#1. Set your eyes on upon man (fixed / bitter)

#2. Make you jealous

#3. Fill your heart with ENVY

          a. So that you seek to DESTROY the GOOD you see in others?

 

If Satan can do that to you, then he has won. He has defeated you and made your faith ineffective.

 

It doesn’t matter what reason you stand on as to why you want to harm another Believer, all that matters is that Satan has you.

 

He has your heart…he has your mind…you have given him complete power over your life if this is the wisdom you allow your life to be regulated by.

 

James says here “don’t’ glory in this”

         

 

Don’t PRIDE YOURSELF in your ability to cause HARM to another person.

 

There is NO GLORY in your SHAME

 

 

Jesus said that there will come a day when people will seek to destroy you and they will think that in doing this, they are SERVING GOD.

 

 

But they are DECEIVED by the devil. As James says here:

 

“Don’t glory in what you should be ASHAMED OF!”

 

 

“Do not TAKE A STAND AGAINST THE TRUTH & call it ‘godly wisdom’”

 

 

*** the BIBLE says that —

 

15 This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic.

 

A. Back in James 3:6, James said:
6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. (Gehenna; the place of lost souls)

 

 

B. And now in verse 15, James says that:

          1. Bitter Envying w/ Strife is NOT FROM GOD

          2. But is from this WORLD / FLESH / DEMONIC

 

C. Do you know that one of Satan’s names is the ‘DESTROYER’?

          1. Any SO CALLED ‘WISDOM’ that leads you to DESTROY another person…

                  

 

Is WORLDLY/ SENSUAL/ DEMONIC, and any spiritual sense of ‘doing the right thing’ is FALSELY being produced by the FATHER OF LIES.

 

Satan comes as an angel of light, and the Holy Spirit will never lead you contrary to God’s written Word!

 

 

D. And if what you are doing in the NAME OF WISDOM is –

          1. Seeking to HARM / DESTROY / RUIN another BELIEVER

          2. You must know that you are DECEIVED

 

 

16 For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.

 

 

‘Confusion’ = “unsettled / turmoil. The loss of orientation (life/correct values). Mental confusion (Wikipedia) has to do with inability to focus; poor judgment and a loss of normal brain function.”

 

A. CONFUSION is the RESULT of being governed by:

          1. BITTERNESS; ENVY and SELF-SEEKING

 

1 Corinthians 14:33    

For God is not the author of confusion but of peace—

 

 

B. And NEXT WEEK, when we CONTINUE w/ verse 17;

          1. We’ll learn of THE WISDOM that is FROM ABOVE…

 

C. Shall we pray?

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“True Wisdom Comes From God” James 3:13-18 (Part 1)

by • on 8:38 PM • in James

 

Intro:

A. Today in PART 1, we are going to talk about WISDOM

1. ‘TRUE WISDOM COMES FROM GOD’

2. Much of what the WORLD calls ‘WISDOM’ is really DEMONIC

 

B. Next week in Part 2 of this message;

1. We’ll look at the CONTRAST between:

a. GODLY and DEMONIC wisdom

 

C. But for TODAY, we’re only going to look at VERSE 13

1. WISDOM is defined by:

 

Webster New World Dictionary

“The quality of being wise; the power of judging rightly and following the soundest course of action, based on knowledge, experience, understanding etc. Good judgment; discretion.”

 

 

 

Biblical Definition for ‘Wisdom’

“The knowledge of how to regulate one’s relationship with God, wisdom which is related to goodness. When one is wise unto God, he is prudent with others, and knows how to regulate circumstances.”

 

‘Wise’

“Wise with God and man. Both in respect of true spiritual and heavenly wisdom; and also of false or worldly wisdom.”

 

 

KNOWLEDGE is the accumulation of INFORMATION

WISDOM is the CORRECT decision made from KNOWLEDGE

 

 

C. Anybody can accumulate KNOWLEDGE on just about any subject

1. But not everybody is WISE

2. Or has the WISDOM to:

a. Make the CORRECT decisions based on known information

 

 

James 1:5     If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

 

 

D. WHO this morning would like to INCREASE your WISDOM?

1. Let’s ask God to do that for us, in agreement with His Word —-

 

 

13a Who is wise and understanding among you?

 

A. The KJV uses the phrase:

 

“Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you?”

 

‘Wise’

Literally refers to a ‘Wiseman’. And it signifies a ‘WATCHMAN’.

In the O.T., these watchmen used to ascend to the MOUNTAINS so that they might see all around. They wanted a FULL and CLEAR VIEW of their surroundings before making a decision.

 

 

“Before they would make a DECISION, they would climb to the top of the highest mountain in order to see CLEARLY, that they might make a WISE DECISION. So they came to be known as ‘WATCHMEN or WISE-MEN’.

 

 

B. A great example of this is found in the O.T. book of Numbers;

1. With KING BALAK and BALAAM

 

Numbers 22:1-41

Then the children of Israel moved, and camped in the plains of Moab on the side of the Jordan across from Jericho. 2 Now Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites. 3 And Moab was exceedingly afraid of the people because they were many, and Moab was sick with dread because of the children of Israel. 4 So Moab said to the elders of Midian, “Now this company will lick up everything around us, as an ox licks up the grass of the field.” And Balak the son of Zippor was king of the Moabites at that time. 5 Then he sent messengers to Balaam the son of Beor at Pethor, which is near the River in the land of the sons of his people, to call him, saying: “Look, a people has come from Egypt. See, they cover the face of the earth, and are settling next to me! 6 Therefore please come at once, curse this people for me, for they are too mighty for me. Perhaps I shall be able to defeat them and drive them out of the land, for I know that he whom you bless is blessed, and he whom you curse is cursed.”

7 So the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the diviner’s fee in their hand, and they came to Balaam and spoke to him the words of Balak. 8 And he said to them, “Lodge here tonight, and I will bring back word to you, as the Lord speaks to me.” So the princes of Moab stayed with Balaam. 9 Then God came to Balaam and said, “Who are these men with you?” 10 So Balaam said to God, “Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, has sent to me, saying, 11 ‘Look, a people has come out of Egypt, and they cover the face of the earth. Come now, curse them for me; perhaps I shall be able to overpower them and drive them out.’ ” 12 And God said to Balaam, “You shall not go with them; you shall not curse the people, for they are blessed.”

13 So Balaam rose in the morning and said to the princes of Balak, “Go back to your land, for the Lord has refused to give me permission to go with you.”

14 And the princes of Moab rose and went to Balak, and said, “Balaam refuses to come with us.”

15 Then Balak again sent princes, more numerous and more honorable than they. 16 And they came to Balaam and said to him, “Thus says Balak the son of Zippor: ‘Please let nothing hinder you from coming to me; 17 for I will certainly honor you greatly, and I will do whatever you say to me. Therefore please come, curse this people for me.’ ” 18 Then Balaam answered and said to the servants of Balak, “Though Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not go beyond the word of the Lord my God, to do less or more. 19 Now therefore, please, you also stay here tonight, that I may know what more the Lord will say to me.”

20 And God came to Balaam at night and said to him, “If the men come to call you, rise and go with them; but only the word which I speak to you–that you shall do.”

21 So Balaam rose in the morning, saddled his donkey, and went with the princes of Moab.

22 Then God’s anger was aroused because he went, and the Angel of the Lord took His stand in the way as an adversary against him. And he was riding on his donkey, and his two servants were with him.

23 Now the donkey saw the Angel of the Lord standing in the way with His drawn sword in His hand, and the donkey turned aside out of the way and went into the field. So Balaam struck the donkey to turn her back onto the road. 24 Then the Angel of the Lord stood in a narrow path between the vineyards, with a wall on this side and a wall on that side. 25 And when the donkey saw the Angel of the Lord, she pushed herself against the wall and crushed Balaam’s foot against the wall; so he struck her again. 26 Then the Angel of the Lord went further, and stood in a narrow place where there was no way to turn either to the right hand or to the left. 27 And when the donkey saw the Angel of the Lord, she lay down under Balaam; so Balaam’s anger was aroused, and he struck the donkey with his staff.

28 Then the Lord opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Balaam, “What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?”

29 And Balaam said to the donkey, “Because you have abused me. I wish there were a sword in my hand, for now I would kill you!”

30 So the donkey said to Balaam, “Am I not your donkey on which you have ridden, ever since I became yours, to this day? Was I ever disposed to do this to you?” And he said, “No.”

31 Then the Lord opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the Angel of the Lord standing in the way with His drawn sword in His hand; and he bowed his head and fell flat on his face.

32 And the Angel of the Lord said to him, “Why have you struck your donkey these three times? Behold, I have come out to stand against you, because your way is perverse before Me. 33 The donkey saw Me and turned aside from Me these three times. If she had not turned aside from Me, surely I would also have killed you by now, and let her live.”

34 And Balaam said to the Angel of the Lord, “I have sinned, for I did not know You stood in the way against me. Now therefore, if it displeases You, I will turn back.” 35 Then the Angel of the Lord said to Balaam, “Go with the men, but only the word that I speak to you, that you shall speak.” So Balaam went with the princes of Balak.

36 Now when Balak heard that Balaam was coming, he went out to meet him at the city of Moab, which is on the border at the Arnon, the boundary of the territory. 37 Then Balak said to Balaam, “Did I not earnestly send to you, calling for you? Why did you not come to me? Am I not able to honor you?” 38 And Balaam said to Balak, “Look, I have come to you! Now, have I any power at all to say anything? The word that God puts in my mouth, that I must speak.” 39 So Balaam went with Balak, and they came to Kirjath Huzoth. 40 Then Balak offered oxen and sheep, and he sent some to Balaam and to the princes who were with him.

41 So it was the next day, that Balak took Balaam and brought him up to the high places of Baal, that from there he might observe the extent of the people.

C. So Balak took Balaam to a HIGH PLACE

1. a Mountain top in order that he might SEE all of ISRAEL

2. Watchmen

3. Wiseman

 

D. In the N.T.

1. The GREEKS would STUDY the STARS and SOLAR SYSTEM

2. They would observe the COURSE and MOTIONS of the HEAVENS

a. They called themselves ‘WATCHMEN’ / ‘WISE MEN’

b. Which meant:

 

“One who knows how to regulate his course in view of moments of the heavens or of God.”

 

‘Wiseman /wisdom also refers to ‘SKILLFUL EXPERT’

 

 

E. When I think of a ‘SKILLFUL EXPERT’

1. I think of KING SOLOMON and the GREAT WISDOM God gave him!

 

1 Kings 3:5-13

At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, “Ask! What shall I give you?” 6 And Solomon said: “You have shown great mercy to Your servant David my father, because he walked before You in truth, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with You; You have continued this great kindness for him, and You have given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day. 7 Now, O Lord my God, You have made Your servant king instead of my father David, but I am a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. 8 And Your servant is in the midst of Your people whom You have chosen, a great people, too numerous to be numbered or counted. 9 Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people (wisdom/understanding), that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?”

10 The speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. (God delights when we ask for wisdom)

11 Then God said to him: “Because you have asked this thing, and have not asked long life for yourself, nor have asked riches for yourself, nor have asked the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern justice, 12 behold, I have done according to your words; see, I have given you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has not been anyone like you before you, nor shall any like you arise after you. 13 And I have also given you what you have not asked: both riches and honor, so that there shall not be anyone like you among the kings all your days.

 

F. just a few verses later, Solomon displayed this WISDOM of God:

1. In that infamous story of the TWO MOTHERS –

 

1 Kings 3:16-28

Now two women who were harlots came to the king, and stood before him.

17 And one woman said, “O my lord, this woman and I dwell in the same house; and I gave birth while she was in the house. 18 Then it happened, the third day after I had given birth, that this woman also gave birth. And we were together; no one was with us in the house, except the two of us in the house. 19 And this woman’s son died in the night, because she lay on him.

20 So she arose in the middle of the night and took my son from my side, while your maidservant slept, and laid him in her bosom, and laid her dead child in my bosom. 21 And when I rose in the morning to nurse my son, there he was, dead. But when I had examined him in the morning, indeed, he was not my son whom I had borne.”

22 Then the other woman said, “No! But the living one is my son, and the dead one is your son.” And the first woman said, “No! But the dead one is your son, and the living one is my son.” Thus they spoke before the king.

23 And the king said, “The one says, ‘This is my son, who lives, and your son is the dead one’; and the other says, ‘No! But your son is the dead one, and my son is the living one.’ ”

24 Then the king said, “Bring me a sword.” So they brought a sword before the king. 25 And the king said, “Divide the living child in two, and give half to one, and half to the other.”

26 Then the woman whose son was living spoke to the king, for she yearned with compassion for her son; and she said, “O my lord, give her the living child, and by no means kill him!” But the other said, “Let him be neither mine nor yours, but divide him.”

27 So the king answered and said, “Give the first woman the living child, and by no means kill him; she is his mother.”

28 And all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had rendered; and they feared the king, for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him to administer justice.

 

G. And SOLOMON’S fame spread throughout the WORLD!

 

1 Kings 10:1-9

Now when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the Lord, she came to test him with hard questions. 2 She came to Jerusalem with a very great retinue, with camels that bore spices, very much gold, and precious stones; and when she came to Solomon, she spoke with him about all that was in her heart. 3 So Solomon answered all her questions; there was nothing so difficult for the king that he could not explain it to her. 4 And when the queen of Sheba had seen all the wisdom of Solomon, the house that he had built, 5 the food on his table, the seating of his servants, the service of his waiters and their apparel, his cupbearers, and his entryway by which he went up to the house of the Lord, there was no more spirit in her. 6 Then she said to the king: “It was a true report which I heard in my own land about your words and your wisdom. 7 However I did not believe the words until I came and saw with my own eyes; and indeed the half was not told me. Your wisdom and prosperity exceed the fame of which I heard. 8 Happy are your men and happy are these your servants, who stand continually before you and hear your wisdom! 9 Blessed be the Lord your God, who delighted in you, setting you on the throne of Israel! Because the Lord has loved Israel forever, therefore He made you king, to do justice and righteousness.”

 

A WISEMAN who is filled with UNDERSTANDING is truly BLESSED of God!

 

I. So James says:

 

13a “Who is wise and understanding (intelligent) among you? (among us as believers)

 

13b Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom.

 

 

A. So James here is speaking to the CHURCH;

1. “If anyone is WISE and INTELLIGENT…

2. THEN……let him SHOW it

 

 

God’s WISDOM is not RESERVED for an elite few; it’s available to all believers

 

‘SHOW’ = ‘Become part of; to be identified with’

 

 

Good conduct is to be DISPLAYED through the life of a WISE MAN/ WOMAN

 

 

‘Good conduct’ = ‘Constitutionally / IN CHARACTER, — good w/o necessarily being benevolent.’

 

 

‘Good conduct’ really describes the CHARACTER of a person.

 

What makes a WISE and INTELLIGENT believer is their CHARACTER. Not so much that they are ALWAYS BUSY DOING good things…

It’s more RELATED to WHO they are as a PERSON.

 

 

‘GOOD’ here also speaks of:

 

“Beauty in characteR     (i LOVE THAT – BEAUTIFUL PERSON)

 

‘good’—

Harmonious in lifestyle; completeness, balance, proportion.”

 

B. When I think of a person who is WISE/UNDERSTANDING;

1. They are the people who have a BALANCED LIFESTYLE

2. Everything in their life is in PROPORTION

3. They live w/in their means

4. They DON’T over budget themselves / time / finances

a. That’s WISE!

b. That’s INTELLIGENT!

 

C. when you get to the end of the DAY and you still have TIME;

1. Or money in your checkbook

2. Or time for your WIFE and KIDS

 

 

‘GOOD CONDUCT’ —-BALANCED lifestyle

 

 

D. Doesn’t mean that your always having to DO GOOD THINGS;

1. Means you are BALANCED

 

 

“Sometimes ‘BALANCE’ means having to SAY NO!”

 

 

“NO is a COMPLETE sentence. And sometimes in order to KEEP BALANCE in our lives, we HAVE TO SAY NO.”

 

 

E. If you have the KJV this morning;

1. It READS:

 

“Let him show out of a GOOD CONVERSATION”

 

 

F. At first I wasn’t sure I liked that TRANSLATION so much;

1. But the more you think about it, the more it makes sense!

 

G. Jesus said

 

“out of the abundance of the HEART the MOUTH speaks”

 

 

GOOD SPEECH reveals a WISE and UNDERSTANDING person

 

 

I LOVE being around people who are EDIFYING in their SPEECH…DON’T YOU?

 

 

I. After you get done TALKING with a Wise/Understanding person;

1. You FEEL EDIFIED!

2. “That was TIME WELL SPENT!”

3. “I’m so blessed to know SO AND SO”

 

I. As we talked about last week:

1. The TONGUE is POWERFUL!

2. It EITHER: builds UP or TEARS DOWN

 

And you know how ‘YUCK’ you feel after you’ve stood around listening to someone GOSSIP! James says, it’s DEMONIC in NATURE. It comes from GEHENNA, the place of LOST SOULS. No wonder it makes you feel so TERRIBLE!

 

 

James says that the ‘man who cannot bridle his tongue, his religion is worthless’

 

 

The OPPOSITE of an UNBRIDLED TONGUE is a TONGUE filled with WISDOM and UNDERSTANDING! You know, the kind that EDIFIES you! The kind of CONVERSATION that makes you LOVE GOD MORE and a sense of LOVE for those who you are speaking to!

 

 

 

J. A WISE and UNDERSTANDING PERSON makes you want to PRAISE GOD!

1. “Thank You LORD for giving me SO-AND-SO as a FRIEND”

 

Colossians 3:12-16

Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.

14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.

15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.

16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

 

 

K. Notice also here in V 13, that James says that:

1. this ‘GOOD CONDUCT’ or ‘GOOD CONVERSATION’ reveals that:

 

 

13c “His works are done in the MEEKNESS of WISDOM”

 

‘MEEKNESS’

“Expresses not in a man’s outward behavior only, nor in his relations to his fellow man, or his mere natural disposition, but expressed rather as an inwrought grace of the soul, first and chiefly directed toward God.”

 

A. this is what James described back in 1:27

 

James 1:27

27 Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.

 

B. I LOVE this definition of MEEKNESS:

 

“The attitude  of spirit in which we accept God’s dealing with us as good and do not dispute or resist.”

 

 

CONCLUSION:

* CHRIST is the ULTIMATE example of MEEKNESS;

* And describing this GODLY MEEKNESS, Paul wrote in -

Philippians 2:1-11

Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.

3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. (only way to esteem others better than ourselves is through MEEKNESS)

4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. (Meekness) 5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, (meekness) 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. (ultimate meekness)

9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth,

11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

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Proverbs 3-4

by • on 2:02 AM • in Men's Bible Study

Wisdom’s Benefits Continued

 Proverbs 3:1-4:27

Again Solomon strives to convince his son that wisdom is worth pursuing. Ask God to impart His discernment and understanding to you, as well as a wise hunger for the knowledge that Proverbs offers.

 1. What does God’s discipline have to do with wisdom?

 2. In Hebrew, the short poem in 3:13-18 begins and ends with the same word: blessed. Why is wisdom worth more than silver, gold, and rubies?

 3. Why do you think Solomon includes 3:19-20 in this discourse on wisdom?

 4. What does Solomon promise to those who hold fast to wisdom (3:23-26)?

 5. How would you summarize the kind of person Solomon is exhorting us to be?

 6.  How do the three contrasts in 3:33-35 give a strong incentive to choose the right path in life?

 7.  Solomon says that heeding wisdom yields a longer life (3:2; 9:11; 10:27; 14:27; 15:24). Do you think the longer life comes from God’s direct blessing, the fact that the wise avoid danger, or both?

 8. Is God using any of your current circumstances to discipline you? If so, how should you respond?

 9. What does it mean that God gives grace to the humble (3:34)? What is grace? What is humility?

 10. What does it mean to guard your heart (4:23)? Why is it important?

 Talk with God about which of the items from the list above He would like to write on your heart. Consider memorizing the relevant verses. Ask God to make you wise in this area, even if it takes discipline from Him. Jot here any thoughts about how you would like to respond to what you’ve studied.

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