1 Wise Up! - Discerning Wisdom J. Fogarty, 2014 I ve titled this message: Wise Up! Discerning Wisdom Opening Before we look at Scripture, I thought some pictures might help us grasp why we need wisdom. Like this clipart of someone scratching their head and standing next to a bomb that s ready to go off, without wisdom things can blow up in our face! Like a confused person who s opened up a box of disassembled parts, we need wisdom to figure out how things can be put back together. Like two people standing at sign posts pointing in different directions. We need wisdom to know which way to go and what to do. Is the path someone else is taking one we should join them on or not? And if not, do we try to explain why, do we warn them of danger, or hold our tongue? Like a pair of glasses with question marks on the lenses, we need wisdom to see clearly; to understand situations for what they really are so that we aren t deluded or deceived. And one that I am often challenged with, we need wisdom to tame our time, otherwise it can run away from us!
2 James 3:13-18 discusses two kinds of wisdom earthly and heavenly (or to use Paul s terminology, flesh and Spirit). James 3:13-16 Let s start by looking at verses 13-16: Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15 Such wisdom does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. (NIV) This was originally written to Jewish Christians, fellow believers in the Diaspora 1 who were back-biting one another, caught up in pride, power plays, and self-centredness; attitudes and behaviours that bring division and disorder, damaging relationships. His message is practical advice to us all, for it is so important that we be discerning - to know whether our wisdom is earthly or heavenly, reflecting the flesh or the Spirit of God. Earthly wisdom : Breaking down earthly wisdom, we see that it is described in the NIV as unspiritual. It is translated from the Greek psychikos, which some other versions translate as natural or sensual. 2 The same Greek word is used in Jude 1:19, where it is translated in the NIV as natural instincts. Starting from v18 it reads: 18 In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires. 19 These are the people who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit. The other way James describes earthly wisdom is demonic. Translated from the Greek daimoniōdēs, it means resembling or proceeding from an evil spirit, demon-like. 3 The KJV translates it as devilish. That s a scary thought to know we can behave devilishly. (Certainly, when someone s in a full on fleshly rage it really is as if little horns pop up!) It is so important to be discerning. James warns that if we don t discern what wisdom we are operating in we can open ourselves up to demonic influence. Not that we should be jumping at shadows (most times the devil leaves us to our own destructive devices, our self- 1 James 1:1 To the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad. Twelve tribes is a common term for Jews. 2 NASB and NKJV respectively 3 Strongs G1141Online: http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?strongs=g1141&t=nkjv
3 centredness playing right into his schemes), but we don t want to be unaware of the schemes of the devil either (Eph 6:10-12). Even though when we believe in Christ we receive the Holy Spirit and are empowered to live as New Creations in Christ, we still carry the old, earthly, nature with us. Like a tongue that sometimes we need to take hold off, lest it create a fire storm, we need to take control of our flesh. It s so draining and distracting to keep having to put out spot fires. The only fire we want is the fire of the Holy Spirit to get rid of the dross, the impurities, from of our lives. Wisdom tells us that we need to deny, not deify, our earthly desires. The more we deny feeding desires that are contrary to life in the Spirit, the better off we will be. Paul puts it this way: Rom 8:5: Life in the Spirit Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. We need to starve the flesh, the old earthly nature, and feed the new nature created in Christ. Feed on things that will nourish who we are in Christ; that we may grow to be more like Him, grow to be who he created us to be. Every now and then we all need to stop and take stock; do a bit of self analysis with the help of the Holy Spirit. We need to discern whether our attitudes, words, and actions are really in step with the Spirit, and therefore wise, or if our flesh is just rising up and we are indulging in a bit of self-justification, wallowing in folly masked as wisdom. Returning to James, let s look at heavenly wisdom: James 3:17 17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peaceloving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. As all human beings are made in the image of God, all of us, whether Christian or not, have the capacity to exhibit some heavenly wisdom. The problem is that because sin has marred the image of God in which we were made, we are more naturally inclined to earthly wisdom inwardly oriented towards self - rather than heavenly wisdom which is more outwardly oriented.
4 Let s take a look at the characteristics of heavenly wisdom: Pure - untainted Peace-loving - valuing peace, not arrogant or antagonistic Considerate kind; tries to understand where someone is coming from so that we can have a forgiving heart Submissive - willing to yield and change our minds where it s reasonable to do so, leaving room for grace Full of mercy- which is compassion in action And good fruit - producing that which nourishes relationships rather than sours them Impartial - unbiased, even-handed And sincere - genuine, not hypocritical. James words reflect both OT wisdom teachings as well as Jesus teachings (particularly the Sermon on the Mount in Mt 5). They also remind me of Paul s teaching on the fruit of the Holy Spirit in Gal 5:22-25: 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Fruit is produced. It is not a gift and does not magically appear. It grows through cultivation. You shall know a tree by its fruit (Mt 7:16). Is the fruit bitter, souring, even poisoning relationships? Or is it good, nourishing relationships? Looking at fruit in terms of grapes on a vine, we know that fruit is only produced if the branches are connected to the Vine. In John 15:1-8 Jesus teaches that He is the Vine, we are the branches; if we abide in Him we bear much fruit. In v8 Jesus says, This is to my Father s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. The fruit of the Spirit comes from our abiding in Christ Jesus, connected to him, the Vine. He is our source. Paul picks up on this using the metaphor of us as the body being connected to Christ the head (Gk kephale meaning source). We grow in discerning wisdom when we are connected to Christ, for as Paul says in Col 2:3, in Christ is hidden all the treasures of wisdom One of the verses of wisdom literature that I like to talk about in relation to fruit on the vine is Song of Songs 2:15
5 15 Catch for us the foxes, the little foxes that ruin the vineyards, our vineyards that are in bloom. Foxes are feral animals. They have teeth that can rip good fruit to shreds. You ve heard the term gone feral? Our flesh can be just like that. Some of the feral fleshlyness that can run wild, causing havoc, are those listed in James 3:14 - Bitter envy and Selfish ambition. Bitter envy is from the Gk pikros zelos it refers to a fierce desire to promote one s own ideas. Selfish ambition is from the Gk eritheia, meaning having a partisan, divisive, spirit to get one s own way. The KJV translates this word as self-seeking. Bitter envy and selfish ambition was happening in the churches James was writing to. Sadly, it happens in many churches destroying lives, causing church splits and even their demise. It is highly destructive. When someone, and that includes you or me, doesn t get their way another fox that tries to creep in is offence: Offence has huge teeth, and rips to shreds patience, self control, love, kindness, joy, and so on. Offence sows seeds of bitterness. Letting offence take root and abiding in that instead of Jesus, leads to all sorts of heartache. There are many other attitudes and behaviours that can ruin our good fruit, for instance, not having a good handle on our tongue something James was focusing on just before the James 3:13-18 passage. James 3:18 The last verse of our James passage is v18: Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness. Wisdom and peace go hand in hand - for wisdom restores relationships, brings peace. Righteousness is usually defined as being right with God ; it also carries a meaning of right behaviour, for when we are right with God it affects our behaviour.
Being new creations in Christ is not only about being made right with God - our vertical relationship - but also being made right with one another - our horizontal relationships. When we act wisely, in a way that promotes peace instead of strife, there will ultimately be a harvest of righteousness. Closing I ll close with a few practical tips in discerning wisdom: 1) Go to God First and foremost, spend time with God, asking for His wisdom and for His Word to confirm that wisdom. Be on guard that you aren t just looking for Scripture verses to support your own earthly wisdom. Get used to doing some humble self analysis with the help of the Holy Spirit. Have a mindset that you want to grow in discerning when you are acting out of hurt or weakness of the flesh. Have a mindset that you want to keep your heart pure. James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. Proverbs 2:6 For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. I ve put this last verse on a little take home tool I have for you - a poem I wrote on discerning Wisdom the fruit of the Spirit test. 2) Praise When a tape keeps playing in my head that really is feeding my flesh or dragging me down so much so that I have trouble discerning wisdom, I replace that tape with Praise. Like the song says, Turn your eyes upon Jesus and the things of the Earth will grow strangely dim in the light of his glory and grace. A song lifts the spirit, and praise (because it is based on God s Word) can be wielded as the Sword of Spirit to separate wisdom from folly. 3) Phone a friend Speak with someone who will give you wise counsel. Ask God to direct you to someone who is wise, and who can keep a confidence if need be. Don t surround yourself with yes people, those who would stroke your ego, or those who are divisive and want you on their side. But seek counsel from those who would speak the truth in love. 6
7 Proverbs 12:15 The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice. Let us not think of ourselves more highly than we ought, but be open to ask the question is this coming from my flesh or from the Spirit? There are other strategic tools you can use, just ask God for He is the one who is all wise and all knowing: ( He knows what makes you and I tick, better than we do. He knows how to defuse bombs! He knows how to put things right. He knows the right path & sets us on it. He sees & understands much more than us. He redeems our time and, like it says in Psalm 90:12, he teaches us to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom. May each of us not wallow in folly, but wise-up in discerning wisdom, that we may enjoy the blessings of a right relationship with God and one another.
8 WISDOM To know if your wisdom is of the Holy Spirit, Pure and true, and not of the flesh, Take the fruit of the Spirit test: Does the wisdom come from love without strings? Is it in accord with God s Word Flowing with grace and understanding? Does it promote peace, reconcile, and console? Is it patient and kind Full of self control? Does it honour God s goodness? His gentleness and faithfulness? Does it await His perfect timing? Is it humble and trusting? For wisdom of the Spirit will display all these things The fruit of a life in step with Him Grafted to the Vine In Jesus abiding The treasures of wisdom God glorifying By Jeanette Fogarty, 2014 Galatians 5:22-25 (NIV) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. John 15:5 (NIV) I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit... James 3:17 (NIV) 17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Proverbs 2:6 (NIV) For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.