Yesterday
We began to take small bites of verses 14-16 regarding ‘wisdom that is NOT from above’, zeroing in on jealousy and selfishness.
Today
We will LOOK at this wisdom that involves arrogance.
Open GODcha to the Book of James.
NOTE:
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You can print off this post and put in a Notebook!
Before We Begin, Let’s Pray
Lord, we so love you and thirst for Your wisdom from above. As we come to Your Word today, that is Truth, that is wisdom, please help us to understand these 2 kinds of wisdom. Help us to live in the light of what you show us today, to live in the light of Your wisdom!
LOOK at What God Says
Let GODcha steer you in the right direction.
How shall we get going?
READ God’s Word
Read James 3:13-18, asking the 5W’s and H.
Reflect on what you learned about ‘bitter jealousy‘ and ‘selfish ambition‘.
Now, let’s pick up where we left off yesterday.
And keep our focus on verse 14.
What does James tell us not to be and do?
Understand the Words God Uses
Check Out the Meaning
Dictionary Tutorial >Dig in and check out ‘do not be arrogant‘ and ‘lie against the truth‘ which is key.
Arrogance, phusíōsis; inflation, haughtiness:—swelling. To inflate, blow or puff up through pride. A swelling of pride or ambition, arrogance.
Arrogant, katakaucháomai; to exult against—boast (against), glory, rejoice against. Offensive display of superiority, or self-importance.
We see: arrogance (pride) is another characteristic of wisdom that is NOT from God. Arrogance loves to exalt itself.
Lie, pseúdomai;to cheat, defraud, falsify. To lie, to speak falsely or deceitfully.
Now Stop!
Did you check out the Grammar?
The Grammar ‘do not be‘ is a present imperative active.
Understand: ‘do not be arrogant‘ is a command. This is not an option!
TIP: Now take the definitions back to the text.
14 “But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant (exult yourself —boast; display offensive of superiority, or self importance) and so lie (defraud, falsify, speak deceitfully) against the truth.”
LISTEN…
Am I arrogant? Overbearing and prideful? How so?
Do I display superiority and self-importance?
Does my boasting and arrogance involve lies?
Do my actions and words lie against the truth?
Do I have ears to hear this command?
What will I do to obey this command?
Respond to God…LIVE it out!
Truth Explains Truth About
CR-Cross References-Word Search Tutorial >
We’ll do a few today, and the rest the next time.
Unplug Your Ears!
1. What does God say about arrogance (pride)?
a. Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord; Assuredly, he will not be unpunished. (Pro 16:5)
We see: the arrogant, the prideful will be punished.
b. Boast no more so very proudly, Do not let arrogance come out of your mouth; For the Lord is a God of knowledge, And with Him actions are weighed. (1Sa 2:3)
What does this seem to parallel that we have seen?
What about: God is the judge and will give to everyone according to their deeds.
c. “Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things, declares the Lord.” (Jer 9:23-24)
LISTEN…
Do I boast that I know the Lord?
Or, do I boast proudly about myself?
Am I even aware that I boast?
What do I boast about?
Why do I boast about: what I think I know?
Why do I boast about: who I am, and what I have and do?
Why do I boast about: my spouse, and/or kids and grandkids?
Why do I boast arrogantly about having God’s wisdom, but I am bitter, jealous and selfishly ambitious?
What will I do to boast no more, and not let arrogance come out of my mouth?
Respond to God…LIVE it out!
d. That which proceeds out of the man, that is what defiles the man, and then there is a list of 13 characteristics of those who are outside of God’s favor, with arrogance being considered alongside sexual immorality and murder. (Mar 7:20-23)
Understand: Arrogance describes an unbeliever.
LISTEN…
Am I outside God’s favor because I am arrogant?
Respond to God…LIVE it out!
e. For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith.(Rom 12:3)
LISTEN…
Do I think more highly of myself than I should? Why?
Will I heed this message?
What must I do to think as to have sound judgment, think safely and soundly, sensibly about myself?
Respond to God…LIVE it out!
f. Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies. (1Co 8:1)
Understand: Knowledge is nothing without love.
Understand: We can’t have true knowledge of God, unless we love God.
LISTEN…
Do I have a lot of knowledge but lack love?
Has having knowledge made me arrogant?
Respond to God…LIVE it out!
2. What does James mean when he says those who are arrogant are lying against the truth?
THINK: there are those professing the faith, but they are arrogant because of their knowledge, boasting proudly and speaking arrogantly. They are acting inconsistently with what they profess, thus lying against the truth, deceived about themselves.
We see: Their words and conduct do not line up.
What does this go back to that we have already LOOKED at?
What about:
Faith without works is dead, (Jam 2:17);
Being doers of the Word, not just hearers, deceiving ourselves, (Jam 1:22);
Fulfilling the Royal Law, (Jam 2:8)?
THINK: if you or I profess wisdom, but are bitterly jealous of others, selfishly ambitious, proud and arrogant then we are lying against what is true; what true wisdom really is.
We see: James is saying don’t claim what you don’t have.
THINK about the context, if a man whose heart is full of jealousy and personal ambition gets up and with his tongue, arrogantly criticizes others and proclaims how much he knows, then his words are giving lie to the truth he professes to be teaching.
You might take the time to search out ‘arrogance‘, ‘arrogant‘, and ‘pride‘ using GODcha’s Word Search.
What Have We LEARNED
Sum It Up
Try this on your own. I know you can do it!
Shall We Call it a Day!
More Truth to ponder and chew on.
Think about what God is teaching you about bitterness, jealousy, selfish ambition, and arrogance.
Save Your Discovery
As we bring this day to a close, journal your discovery and communion with the Lord in your Notes – save them forever!
Let’s Pray
Perhaps. . .
WE COME BEFORE YOU OUR GREAT GOD, we praise You today, and thank you that You love us so much, that You are giving us Your Holy Word to help us. May it renew our minds and transform us from the inside out. As we continue to look at ourselves, are we puffed up and arrogant thinking we know it all? Again, I ask that we would have ears to hear You speak to each of us individually. Oh Father, if these are characteristics that are habits of our lives, then we desperately need You! We desperately need your help. May we be willing to admit our sin, repent and seek Your forgiveness. Thank you that when we confess our sins, You are faithful to forgive us of all unrighteousness, (1Jo 1:9). Thank you for Your grace that is in Jesus, and Your great love with which You continue to draw us to Yourself. We ask these things humbly, in the name of Jesus! Amen!
I am so proud of you, and pray this is helping you have quiet time in the presence of your Loving, Almighty, Powerful God, listening to Him speak to you!
Next: we will continue to LOOK at this wisdom that is NOT of God.
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