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THE SIN OF SELF. James 3:12-18. 10/6/2024. #13.
12 Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh. 13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. 16 For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. 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. 18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
1. 2 kinds of wisdom
a. James brings his discussion wisdom, conduct, and the use of the tongue to a head in this passage
a1. James 1:5 true wisdom comes from God
a2. James 1:19-20 a man is to be slow to speak
a3. James 1:22 we are to be doers of the Word
a4. James 2 if a man’s faith is not seen in his action then his faith is dead and useless
a5. James 3:1-12 he who does not control his tongue is destructive and ungodly
b. James contrasts two types of wisdom
a1. Worldly wisdom seeks to promote oneself in order to advance over other people
a2. Godly wisdom seeks to promote the Lord in order to draw people to Christ
c. True wisdom is from above and can be seen in our good conduct or behavior (lit., way of life)
a1. Godly wisdom is meek (humble/gracious)
2. The subtle self-deception of worldly wisdom
a. Many believers practice worldly wisdom unaware
a1. They want credit and envy others
a2. Claim doing all for Lord, while seeking to make known to others what they are doing
b. Worldly wisdom can be seen in its fruit
a1. Self-seeking = self-ambition
a2. We deceive ourselves when we seek to advance the kingdom by advancing selves
a3. II Corinthians 10:12-18 Paul did not want to boast of what he did, for all glory goes to God
c. I John 2:16 worldly wisdom comes from three sources
a1. EARTHLY – of the world (what the world considers wise = get ahead, gain wealth, seek glory => Solomon’s vanity)
a2. SENSUAL (psuches, soulish; Eng. word, psychology) – how we feel about something (emotion-based, self-indulging)
a3. DEMONIC (literal, devilish)-straight from the father of lies (John 8:44)
b1. When we exercise worldly wisdom, we are following Satan (i.e., Eve)
b2. All self-glorying, self-promotion, and self-indulgence is of the devil
d. The results for worldly wisdom is confusion (chaos in the body of Christ; James 4:1-4) and every evil thing
3. Heaven-borne wisdom
a. Godly wisdom produces godly results
a1. Purity = catharsis (cleansing, wholesome)
a2. Peaceable = removal of strife and tension
a3. Gentleness = gracious deference (a respect and honoring of others; James 2:3)
a4. A cooperative spirit = one who is not stubborn, obstinate, unyielding, combative…
a5. Merciful = slow to judge and quick to encourage others with comfort and aid
a6. Good fruits = works of kindness and help
a7. Without partiality = respecting everyone
a8. Without hypocrisy = no phoniness or hidden purposes
b. Prideful wisdom produces strife, rivalry, and tension
c. Godly wisdom produces peace, both in the body and with others outside the body
a1. Ephesians 5:11 there are times to oppose evil
a2. Galatians 2 there are times to stand your ground
a3. But, even in opposition, there is a peace
Key passage: II Corinthians 10:12-1812 For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. 13 We, however, will not boast beyond measure, but within the limits of the sphere which God appointed us—a sphere which especially includes you. 14 For we are not overextending ourselves (as though our authority did not extend to you), for it was to you that we came with the gospel of Christ; 15 not boasting of things beyond measure, that is, in other men’s labors, but having hope, that as your faith is increased, we shall be greatly enlarged by you in our sphere, 16 to preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man’s sphere of accomplishment. 17 But “he who glories, let him glory in the Lord.” 18 For not he who commends himself is approved, but whom the Lord commends.