True Wisdom - James Chapter 3

In one paragraph

This message came from James 3:13-18 and centered on a single question: what does true wisdom look like, and where does it come from? The distinction drawn was between the world's wisdom, which produces disorder and evil, and the wisdom that comes from God, which produces a harvest of righteousness. The challenge put to the room was simple: if you have that wisdom, prove it. The sermon opened with...

Read together

1. Luke 12 (exact verse not specified) quoted as 'Don't be afraid, little flock, for it gives your Father great happiness to give you the kingdom'
2. James 3:13-18 the main text of the sermon, read aloud in full, on true wisdom from above versus earthly wisdom
3. Proverbs 4:7 quoted as 'Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do, and whatever else you do, develop good judgment'

Talk about it

1. The message opened with the idea that wisdom is applied knowledge, not just knowing something but knowing when and how to act on it. Can you think of a time when you had the knowledge of what was right but struggled to apply it wisely?
2. James says that jealousy and selfish ambition produce disorder and evil of every kind. Where do you see that pattern play out, either in your own life or in the world around you?
3. The preacher described the wisdom from above as pure, peace loving, gentle, and willing to yield to others. Which of those qualities do you find hardest to live out, and why?
4. Humility was described as gentle strength, power held in reserve, beginning with God's inspiration and finishing by his direction. How does that definition change the way you think about what humility actually looks like in practice?
5. The sermon pointed to Jesus in the garden as the clearest picture of humility, knowing he could call thousands of angels but choosing not to because he trusted the Father's timing. Where in your own life do you feel the tension between what you could do and what God is asking you to do instead?