What do we long for in this life? Is it health, wealth, and happiness? Or, do we long for for the Lord and His wisdom? Is it anywhere on our radar? Well, I would say it should be, because James asks, ‘who among you is wise and understanding?‘ What makes us wise and understanding? What must we do to become wise and understanding? Just to make a point, let me give you a couple of quotes:
“Follow your instincts. That’s where true wisdom manifests itself.” Oprah Winfrey
Catchy, isn’t it? Clever and witty? But is that true? Really? What if your instincts are wrong?
Let me give you another one.
“It’s bitter cold in parts of the US, but climate scientist Dr. Michael Mann explains that’s exactly what we should expect from the climate crisis.” Al Gore
Climate crisis? Very clever! You mean we have never had bitter cold, or snow storms before? Isn’t bitter cold a sign of winter? Aren’t snow storms and blizzards the manifestation of winter?
WOW!!! Scientists, philosophers, and intellectuals of this world may be held in great esteem by men, but to God, their humanistic reasonings are foolishness. Why do we take in the wisdom of this world, such foolishness, in our schools and churches, forgetting that the world by wisdom knew not God, (1Co 1:21)?
What is wisdom? What is knowledge? Do you realize we can have much knowledge, but absolutely no wisdom? But on the other hand, we can not have wisdom without knowledge! God tells us His people are destroyed for lack of knowledge, (Hos 4:6) If this is the case, then don’t we want true knowledge – knowledge of God – that leads to the wisdom that is more precious than rubies and pearls, (Pro 11:8).
Let’s take a peek and understand God’s wisdom to understand why James wants us to understand – that if a person possess dynamic, living faith, they will genuinely manifest the wisdom of God in their life!
Last WEEK
We finished LOOKING at the first paragraph in Chapter 3:1-12 about our tongues.
How did you respond to the Spirit as He spoke to you?
This WEEK
Our journey has us chewing on 6 powerful verses, James 3:13-18, again with a two-fold objective.
1. We want to: LOOK at the truths in James to answer the LIVE question:
What kind of wisdom do I reflect?
2. Become acquainted with the GODcha App that will introduce us to certain skills that will open the word of God to us in a life-changing way.
Today
We want to LOOK at what God says through His messenger James about the next test, True Faith has wisdom from above.
Open GODcha to the Book of James.
NOTE:
If you don’t have GODcha Get It >
Or, you can use your hardbound Bibles and follow along.
You can print off this post and put in a Notebook!
Review the Big Picture 
In GODcha: Scan the Overview
Why Did James Write This Letter?
You should know this by now!
What was James’ emphasis?
This series of tests, that James gives, is to:
- Show us how to live our faith; and
- Uncover a false faith, and
- Turn men and women from the error of their ways.
Do you know anyone who has strayed from the truth?
Don’t you want to save their soul from death?
Before We Begin, Let’s Ask for Help
Oh Lord God, you tell us in Scripture that he who has ears, hear what the Spirit is saying. Seeking Your Truth takes energy and focus; it takes a willingness on our part to be challenged and changed. Today we ask that you unplug our ears and give us ears to hear. Help us to understand what You are saying to us through Your messenger James. Thank You!
Let GODcha lead the way!
Go to the LEARN/LIVE Section
Open the Deeper Discovery
Scroll to the #11 LEARN Questions
#11. The next test of faith is in being wise and showing it.
a. What motivates the wisdom that is not from above? What are its results, CR?
b. Describe the wisdom from above and it’s results, CR.
c. Connect the dots, how do you see wisdom affects the tongue? (v13-18)
Now, what is repeated that helps you see what you will want to concentrate on to help you stay focused?
Let’s LOOK at What God Says About
2 Kinds of Wisdom
Open the LOOK Section
Where is the best place to begin?
Always Begin LOOKING by READING
Read what God has to say in James 3:13-18, asking the 5W’s and H (who, what, where, when, why, and how) questions.
The only way to learn this critical skill – is to do it. Try it!
Give it your best shot and then come back for help.
Remember to focus on the nouns and verbs.
How did you do?
Let’s dive in and read together.
Who does James address? And, what does James ask?
13 Who among you (the brethren)
is WHAT?
is wise
and
is WHAT else?
understanding?
Let him WHAT?
show
show WHAT? (his wisdom)
show HOW?
by his WHAT?
by his good behavior
specifically shown HOW?
his deeds
specifically his deeds HOW?
in the gentleness of wisdom.
14 But
if WHO?
if you (the brethren)
have WHAT?
have bitter jealousy
and
have WHAT else?
selfish ambition
WHERE?
in your heart,
WHAT is one to do?
do not
be WHAT?
be arrogant
and
WHAT else?
so lie
lie against WHAT?
against the truth.
(THINK: how is ‘you’ lying against the truth?)
15 WHAT?
This wisdom
WHAT kind of wisdom?
(selfish, arrogant, lying wisdom)
is not WHAT?
is not that
that which WHAT?
which comes down
from WHERE?
from above,
but
is WHAT?
is earthly,
natural,
demonic.
16 WHY is this kind of wisdom earthly, natural, and demonic?
For where
WHAT?
jealousy
and
WHAT?
selfish ambition
WHAT?
exist,
WHAT are the results?
there is disorder
and
WHAT else?
every evil thing.
17 But
WHAT?
the wisdom
from WHERE?
from above
(What is being 
contrasted?)
is first WHAT?
is first pure,
then WHAT?
then
peaceable,
gentle,
reasonable,
full of mercy
and
WHAT else?
good fruits,
WHAT else?
unwavering,
WHAT else?
without hypocrisy.
18 And
WHAT?
the seed
whose WHAT?
whose fruit
is WHAT?
is righteousness
the seed with fruit of righteousness is WHAT?
is sown
sown HOW?
in peace
by WHO?
by those
who WHAT?
who make peace.
(Don’t miss what else is being contrasted?)
Fabulous!
Easy as pie, right?
You just read 6 verses of God’s holy Word.
You are developing the most vital skill there is to see God’s Word correctly and handle it accurately! I am so proud of you!
Shall We Call It a Day?
Mull over what we just read about wisdom.
Perhaps read and re-read for clarity, and consider what God has said through James.
Watch how God buries these verses deep down in your heart, and you’ll have them memorized without even trying.
Ponder the contrasts, that reveal to us 2 kinds of wisdom.
Which kind of wisdom do you have?
Which wisdom do you live by?
Notes
Did you have questions?
Put them in your Notes.
Ask God to answer them.
He will!
Video Tutorial> Notes Tutorial >
Let’s Close in Prayer
Perhaps…
OUR FATHER IN HEAVEN, we seek to bless You with our praise today! We are so thankful for Your Word. That razor sharp two-edged sword that is able to discern our thoughts and intentions, that frees us, that cleanses and sanctifies us. May this Word that we just read slowly and with purpose make head way from our heads to our hearts. May we truly ponder and chew on what You are saying to us, about wisdom. Oh Father, who is wise and understanding among us? Help us to examine ourselves to see if we have the wisdom which is from above, or if we are living our lives by earthly wisdom. May we examine our hearts. May Your holy Word renew our minds and transform us from the inside out! We ask this in Jesus name. Amen!
Thank you for hanging in there, and being disciplined to discover and learn truth!
Next: we will dive in taking small bites to understand what God says about 2 kinds of wisdom.
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