|
"Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such 'wisdom' does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness." The Message says it this way: "You can develop a healthy, robust community that lives right with God and enjoy its results only if you do the hard work of getting along with each other, treating each other with dignity and honor." Let's Go Jewel Hunting: INTRO Remember the heading for this chapter: Speak With Care A Key To Right Talk Is: Right Thought "The tongue is contained in a cage of teeth and lips, but it still escapes." R. Zuck "It's not intelligence that keeps the lock on that cage; it's wisdom-a wisdom that is characterized by humility, grace and peace." Let's look at humility for a minute: The Bible dictionary defines humility as: Recognition of one's true position before God Humble is defined as: Modest, meek, having a proper view of one's own worth, not proud, arrogant or assertive. James asks a rhetorical question in verse 13: "Who is wise and understanding among you?" The word for wise means "one with moral insight and skill in the practical issues of life." "Understanding" refers to both intellectual and scientific perception. "Let him show it" vs13 Wisdom isn't measured by 'degrees' but by 'deeds'. It's not a matter of acquiring truth, but of applying truth to life. Remember what James said earlier in this letter: "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says". 1:22 True wisdom has no room for "bitter envy" or "selfish ambition". (vs 14) Envy & strife are clear indicators that a person's so-called our wisdom isn't from above "but is earthly, unspiritual". "Envy and selfish ambition" or rivalry can only produce "disorder" or confusion and "every evil practice." A truly wise person doesn't seek glory or fame, but is gracious and giving. Listen to verse 17 again "But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere." "Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness." vs 18 A truly wise man is a man of peace. CONCLUSION Here Are Some Thoughts on Controlling the Tongue To achieve "righteousness", practical holiness (the theme of James' letter) a believer must learn to speak with care. "The great test of a man's character is his tongue." Oswald Chambers A controlled tongue is possible only with pure thought. A mouth filled with praise results from a mind filled with purity. It works like this: Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things. Philippians 4:8 A believer should: Stand confidently ch.1 Serve compassionately ch.2 Speak carefully ch.3 He should be what God wants him to be, do what God wants him to do, and speak as God wants him to speak. Next Week James 4:1-10 |
