REAL WISDOM EXPRESSED IN WORKS

How can you tell if a person is wise? One way is by his/her works. What a person does says a lot about what kind of person he/she is.

James, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, writes about real wisdom expressed in works in James 3:13-18. After focusing on words, James now turns his attention on works. Both are indicators of real wisdom (or lack thereof) in a person’s life.

This passage contrasts wisdom with wickedness. To demonstrate real wisdom in our works, we must understand the source and the symptoms of wisdom and wickedness.

First, to demonstrate real wisdom in our works, we must understand…

THE SOURCE

The Source of Wisdom: (v.13) Meekness and wisdom are the source of good conduct. This wisdom is from above; it comes from God. (v.17) When a person drills a well, they must know where and how far to drill to hit water. God is the source of wisdom. To get wisdom, we must go to Him.

The Source of Wickedness: (vv. 14-15) It comes from envy and self-seeking in the heart. (v.14) It is earthly, sensual, demonic. (v.15) Those attitudes in the heart are there due to the influence of the world, the flesh and the devil. When there is a water leak in the house, one must find the source of the leak in order to fix it. The influences of the world, our own fleshly desires and the devil are sources of wickedness, and must be dealt with in order to get rid of wickedness in our lives.

Second, to demonstrate real wisdom in our works, we must understand…

THE SYMPTOMS

The Symptoms of Wickedness: (v.16) Envy, self-seeking and confusion are just a few symptoms of wickedness. Even something that appears to be good may be wicked if done for the wrong reasons. When you are sick, and go to the doctor, he/she will check your symptoms to discover what is making you sick. If caught early, an illness can be treated before the symptoms become chronic. Spiritually, we can catch the early symptoms of wickedness, before the situation gets bad and causes a lot of harm. When we see harmful attitudes developing, go to God immediately, before things go any further.

The Symptoms of Wisdom: (vv. 17-18) “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. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” These are the symptoms of real wisdom that comes from God. Notice, peace is mentioned three times. Just as the doctor will check for symptoms of illness, he will also check for symptoms of health. He will check blood pressure, weight, etc. to see if your body is healthy.
Here, James gives us a few symptoms of spiritual health, specifically signs that we possess true wisdom from God. When we see these signs, we should rejoice that God has granted wisdom to us.

THE SOLUTION

In light of what we have just heard, what should we do? Recognize the symptoms. What do your works say about your spiritual condition? Recognize the source. Go to God about it.

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This is a synopsis of a sermon presented on 8-23-2009 at Hatch Bend Baptist Church, by Paul A. Coleman.

Unless otherwise noted, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.