Good morning,
This week we continue our study of the book of James.
Chapter three explains the dangers of the tongue and earthly and heavenly wisdom.
The Jewish believers in James’s day were being persecuted. They had been driven out of Jerusalem and were scattered abroad. James encourages those scattered Jewish believers on how to conduct themselves during this time.
James 3
2. Earthly wisdom and Heavenly wisdom v 13-18
Earthly wisdom v 13-16
“Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. 14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. 15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, and devilish. 16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.”
Teachers must not use the wisdom of this world. Earthly wisdom is characterized by worldly wisdom, bitter envying, strife, lying, sensual, and devilish. It does not lift up God or the things of the Bible.
“Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.20 And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.” (1 Corinthians 3:18-20)
When we see this kind of teaching, we should avoid it at all costs. It will drive us away from God and toward the things of Satan.
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com
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