JAMES SHOUTED "BE VERY WISE IN THE CONTROL OF YOUR TONGUE, DON'T TRY TO BE SO SMART"

1. James had just severely criticized the man who said he had faith, but was not showing it by works
2. When a person hears a good preacher, everyone wants to be a smart preacher and copy his words
3. So James warns - "Be not many preachers, telling people off & setting them right, because we have the greater condemnation if we offend with our sharp tongue & we sure do offend".

I.- WORLDLY WISDOM LEADS TO STRIFE James 3:13-16

As James teaches plainly, others wanted to copy his plain, sharp, words of authority, so he warns

A.- THE TRUE WISE MAN SHOWS GOD'S WISDOM PLAINLY, AND THE REST OF GOD'S GIFTS ARE ALSO SHOWN 3:13

1. James says that if you would be wise, show it with good behavior, good works, & gentleness
2. But the "would-be-apostles" ran about offending people, hurting them; - & so "would-be-rich"
3. So, if you have bitter envy and strife in your heart- don't lie and claim to be God's preacher

B.- THERE IS A WISDOM THAT LEADS TO STRIFE, AND ENVY, AND IT IS NOT OF GOD, AND NOT FOR CHRISTIAN V.15

1. Note the trilogy- 15b Earthly, Sensual, devilish; This wisdom is not from God, nor from above
2. Our temptation to sin comes from the World, the Flesh, and the Devil- and these are real forces
3. Some people even in the church get so smart but fail to realize they think with their glands

C.- FOR WHERE ENVY AND STRIFE DO THEIR WORK, SATAN CAUSES CONFUSION AND EVERY EVIL WORK v. 16

1. James wrote to Christians, they were the Jewish Christians scattered abroad-1:1, & were a mess
2. Just because we are in church is no guarantee that we are saved, nor that we are free from sin
3. If you are full of the old devil, & tricking your way to the top- James says 3:14b don't lie.

Why seek the false wisdom that confuses; the counterfeit faith; and lie when real faith is offered?

II.- THERE IS A WISDOM THAT GIVES PEACE v. 17,18

The real wisdom from God leads to the solution of man's eternal problems, not further hurt for all

A.- THERE IS A WISDOM THAT IS FROM ABOVE, THIS MEANS THAT IT IS FROM GOD, WE READ OF IT IN PROVERBS

1. Some technocratic Scientists, Humanistic Teachers, socialistic preachers; think only of this world
2. But there is a source of wisdom apart from just human experience and material sensory perception

B.- THIS WISDOM FROM HEAVEN HAS SEVEN DISTINCT CHARACTERISTICS WHEREBY YOU CAN TELL IT IS OF GOD. v17

1. Is first PURE - this means morally chaste, clean, holy, not contaminated with impure motives
2. Then PEACEABLE - God commands-Heb 12:14, Follow peace; 1 Pet 3:11 Seek Peace; Rom 12:18-if possible
3. GENTLE - meaning meek, modest, kind; Jesus was a gentle man; Moses was a gentle man! are you?
4. EASILY ENTREATED - not stubborn or obstinate; Jesus told of men forgiving debts when entreated-
5. FULL OF MERCY AND GOOD FRUITS - Some actually want to forgive & show mercy, then give gifts
6. WITHOUT PARTIALITY - James already had warned against showing respect of persons-favoritism
7. WITHOUT HYPOCRICY - should be open, honest, genuine, and true.-not claiming God's call when false

C.- THE REAL PEACEMAKERS ARE COMMENDING MEN TO SEEK THIS GENUINE WISDOM, AND THIS PRODUCES PEACE 18

The real purpose of preaching the gospel is to produce peace, - peace with God, & peace of God
God's way makes peace, while the world's wisdom cries peace, and creates strife, envy, and confusion

III.- HOW CAN WE HAVE GOD'S WISDOM ? ?

Which do you want - the wisdom of world that leads to strife, or God's wisdom that leads to peace?

A.- THERE IS AN ORDER OF GIFTS FROM GOD, AND IF YOU REALLY WANT TO BE BLESSED, GET IN LINE!

1. II Pet 1:5 gives the order it is Faith, Virtue, and then Knowledge (or wisdom). don't reverse it
2. With this help from God we can face the temptations and trials that come our way & win
3. But to win- we must have the knowledge that the trials of our faith lead to perfect growth

B.- IF WE LACK THE WISDOM TO MAKE TRIALS A BLESSING, THEN LISTEN AS JAMES TELLS HOW TO GET IT- 1:5

1. Ask God for the Wisdom- this s means prayer; The Holy Spirit was sent to guide us to truth.
2. Then look to God for an answer- He speaks to us through His Word- Read & study Proverbs-
3. But ask "not wavering", not "doubleminded" make up your mind who you will follow- God or Satan

C.- IF WE CAN GET WISDOM THIS WAY- WHAT IF OUR NEED IS IN OUR LACK OF FAITH? NO FAITH, NO WISDOM!

1. Abraham believed God--this is the beginning of what we would call saving faith! Do you believe?
2. Abraham then obeyed God - he acted on his faith; or his faith moved him to action- same results
3. But we have a greater revelation than Abraham did. We are pointed to the Lord Jesus Christ

James gives ethical truth- not evangelistic truth; but other portions of Bible tell how Saved

MAKE YOUR CHOICE, WILL YOU HAVE WORLDLY WISDOM & CONFUSION: OR ACCEPT CHRIST AND HAVE PEACE?

1. The troubled Jailer was told by Paul- "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and be Saved"- you too
2. Then James tells you how to become fully developed- show your faith by your Action-
3. How will you show your faith- Confession, Baptism, Church Membership?