Acting Wisely in the World

Wisdom for the Age / James 3:13–18

Wisdom reminds me of a good map

James 3:13–16 ESV

Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.

Wisdom is a map of how we rightly navigate our relationships

James 1:5 ESV

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

Christ is the way to wisdom because He Himself is wisdom.

1 Corinthians 1:24 ESV

but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

James 3:17–18 ESV

But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

Pure

Overall, with purity, we ask, is it good?

Peaceable

Peace asks, what could be made good from this?

Gentle and open to reason

Gentleness, being open to reason asks, what information am I missing in order to see the good?

Merciful and full of Good Fruits

Mercy asks, What kind of Good is accomplished?

No favoritism

James 2:1–4 ESV

My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “You sit here in a good place,” while you say to the poor man, “You stand over there,” or, “Sit down at my feet,” have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?

Who is it good for? You? Or you and others?

Sincere