Wisdom?
James 4:1-10
James 3:13-18
“Who is wise and understanding among you?”
One of the things that this world seems to be missing these days, is wisdom. We live in an age of feelings. Feelings representing the magnification of emotion. It matters not what wise counsel says, not how the learned or experienced weigh-in on an issue. But, rather, how one feels about an issue. Which is very dangerous ground to say the very least, for a follower of Christ.
Of course, many times we tend to equate wisdom with intelligence. And that’s a natural and reasonable assumption, or position to hold. I mean… People who are smart, tend to be people who make wise choices… wise decisions. People who live life following some basic, fundamental precepts of wisdom.
Like: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Matthew 7:12.
Or: “Commit to the Lord, whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” Proverbs 16:3
What about Proverbs 15:1, “a gentle answer, turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to (acknowledge) him,
and he will make your paths straight (or direct your path).
Truth is: the whole book of Proverbs extols the benefits and blessings of Godly wisdom!
The Ten Commandments set the foundation for Godly wisdom… thou shalt have no other God… on idols… no misuse of God’s name… keep the Lord’s Day holy… honor your parents. Don’t murder, don’t commit adultery, no stealing, no false testimony, no coveting!
Don’t smoke, drink, or chew, or go with girls who do!
Jesus said the whole of the law could be summed up by loving God with your all, and loving other as yourself!
Wisdom… Godly, biblical, wisdom.
But in spite of the correlation, between wisdom and intelligence, our culture seems to be determined to reject wisdom. To rebuff wisdom, especially when it contradicts our pre-conceptions. In our day & age, wisdom is spurned regardless to whether it’s acquired thru legitimate science or thru orthodox faith! Even wisdom that’s the expressed Truth of God’s Word is ignored.
Of course, when faithful Christians turn to the Bible as the source of authority… our rule and guide... the standard, the foundation, upon which we should build our lives… the Source of wisdom and guidance that leads to a prudent, healthy community, and a blessed life, we get called fanatics. We get pushed to the side as “Bible thumpers.” Some have even gone so far as to say that people who need scripture to serve as the “rule and guide” of our lives, are weak minded and need a crutch. They call us ignorant… and backwards.
Of course, I’ll be the first to agree there is a brand of wisdom that’s “ignorant and backwards” - because it’s destructive. A brand of wisdom that’s anything but wise… it’s the wisdom that is promoted by this world.
It’s the wisdom that says peace can be achieved through war. The “wisdom” that declares happiness is achieved through wealth. Etc.
James even stresses here in our scripture for today, that this kind of worldly wisdom is what leads to conflicts in the first place. People desire what they don’t have, so they go about destructively trying to gain the things I want.
It often seems, that life’s all about the acquisition of stuff... all about trying to keep up with our neighbors. We seem to live by the motto, “the one who dies with the most toys wins.” Choosing to forget, or ignore, the wise and biblical truth that says, “whatever you’ve done to the least of these… You have done, unto me…” Unto Christ himself.
So how do we avoid the misuse of wisdom? How do we ensure, that as followers of Christ, you and I, the Church, can avoid falling into the faux wisdom of the world?
James tells us: “the wisdom that comes from heaven is pure; peace-loving, considerate, full of mercy and good deeds, impartial and sincere” and it reaps a harvest of righteousness.
Two words: humble submission.
James says clearly that you and I should “show (demonstrate) our wisdom by deeds done and humility.” Here James is beating a familiar drum… Declaring that you and I are called to live-out our faith by our works. To produce evidence of our faith, in other words.
Remember, salvation is thru Christ alone, by grace alone, through faith alone, to the glory of God alone. But our faith, is always expressed through our works. Not works done to honor ourselves… Not WORKS done to bring any type of recognition to self… But works done in humility, deeds done and gentleness… To the glory of God, and God alone. If you and I intentionally humble ourselves before God, it affects every single aspect of our life. It affects our thinking, it affects our relationships… It affects everything we say and do! What could be wiser than that!
James also says, “submit yourselves to God.” And that at the end of the day, it’s where the rubber meets the road. When it comes to the exercise of wisdom… To the acquisition of wisdom, are we seeking what we want, or are we surrendering ourselves to the Lordship of Christ and to the living out of God’s will in this world, despite what we want? Are we submitting ourselves to the will and wisdom of the Lord?
There used to be a license plate, a decorative license plate, that people would place on the front of their vehicles that read, “God is my copilot.” While you and I can certainly appreciate that sentiment… Nothing at all is accurate about it. The role of co-pilot is to help pilot. But the pilot is still the one in charge. The pilot out-ranks the co-pilot and gives the co-pilot instructions. The wisdom and experience of the pilot, trumps that’s of the co-pilot any day of the week. So it would be more accurate to say, “I am the co-pilot, and God is my pilot.” He is the one calling the shots… I’m here to learn from him.
Are you and I being led by worldly wisdom, and the desire for self gratification? Do we sometimes find ourselves striving for the things of this world… Living by the wisdom of this age, instead of honoring God by living by his word, and seeking his will in all things?
“Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.”
“Humble yourselves before the Lord and he will lift you up.”
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