TWO WISDOM’S

1.The of True Wisdom (v. 13)

13 Who among you is wise and understanding? By his good conduct, he should show that his works are done in the gentleness that comes from wisdom. 

1 Timothy 4:11-12 CSB – 11 Command and teach these things. 12 Don’t let anyone despise your youth, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity.

2.The Warning Against Wisdom (v. 14–16)

14 But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your heart, don’t boast and deny the truth. 15 Such wisdom does not come down from above but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there is disorder and every evil practice. 

1 Corinthians 3:1-4 CSB – 1 For my part, brothers and sisters, I was not able to speak to you as spiritual people but as people of the flesh, as babies in Christ. 2 I gave you milk to drink, not solid food, since you were not yet ready for it. In fact, you are still not ready, 3, because you are still worldly. For since there is envy and strife among you, are you not worldly and behaving like mere humans? 4 For whenever someone says, “I belong to Paul,” and another, “I belong to Apollos,” are you not acting like mere humans?

3. The Harvest of Wisdom (v. 17–18)

17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without pretense. 18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who cultivate peace.

Galatians 5:16-25 CSB  – 16 I say, then, walk by the Spirit, and you will certainly not carry out the desire of the flesh.17 For the flesh desires what is against the Spirit, and the Spirit desires what is against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you don’t do what you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, moral impurity, promiscuity, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, dissensions, factions, 21 envy, drunkenness, carousing, and anything similar. I am warning you about these things — as I warned you before — that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,23 gentleness, and self-control. The law is not against such things. 24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.

Challenge  for the Week

This week, try to catch yourself before you speak: Is what I’m about to say “peace-loving and gentle,” or is it “selfish ambition” in disguise?

Community Life Group Discussion Questions

James 3:13-18

1. (v. 13): James suggests that wisdom is something you show rather than just something you know. In our digital age, where everyone has an opinion, how can we refocus on “showing” our wisdom through “good conduct” rather than just “stating” it through words?

2. (v. 13): James defines the spirit of wisdom as “gentleness” (meekness/power under control). Can you think of a situation recently where reacting with gentleness required more strength than reacting with anger or “being right”?

3. (v. 14-16): James lists “bitter envy” and “selfish ambition” as the roots of earthly wisdom. Why do you think these two specific traits lead to “disorder and every evil practice” in a family or a church?

4. (v. 17): Look at the list in verse 17 (pure, peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy, unwavering, sincere). Which of these characteristics do you find most challenging to live out in your current workplace or home environment?

5. (v. 18): Verse 18 says the fruit of righteousness is “sown in peace by those who cultivate peace.” If your life is a field, what “seeds” have you been sowing lately? Are you seeing a harvest of peace, or a harvest of conflict?