LIGHTHOUSE MINISTRY LEADER S STUDY GUIDE SHOE LEATHER THEOLOGY: STUDY OF JAMES What Wisdom Wears James 3:13-18 Core Doctrine: Peace March 6, 2016 Week 10 of Shoe Leather Theology: Study of James This guide is designed to provide helpful hints in preparing and leading your Lighthouse discussion. If you need any assistance or further instruction on any part of this teaching lesson, don t hesitate to contact Chris at celler@ffclife.com. Announcements: Coming Dates This Spring: o March 12-19 Spring Break Week o March 20 Palm Sunday o March 25 Good Friday Night of Worship o March 27 Easter Sunday (FFCA: 7, 8:30 & 10:30am FFCB: 10am) o March 28 Easter Holiday (Church Offices Closed) Spring Teaching Schedule: 1. 1/3/2016 Week 1: Introduction to James 2. 1/10/2016 Week 2: James 1:1-12 3. 1/17/2016 Week 3: James 1:13-18 4. 1/24/2016 Week 4: Spotlight: Job on Trials 5. 1/31/2016 Week 5: James 1:19-27 6. 2/7/2016 Week 6: James 2:1-13 7. 2/14/2016 Week 7: James 2:14-26 8. 2/21/2016 Week 8: Spotlight: Abraham on Faith 9. 2/28/2016 Week 9: James 3:1-12 10. 3/6/2016 Week 10: James 3:13-18 11. 3/13/2016 Spring Break Week No Lighthouse 12. 3/20/2016 Week 12: James 4:1-6 13. 3/27/2016 Easter Sunday No Lighthouse 14. 4/3/2016 Week 14: James 4:13-17 Page 1 Lighthouse Ministry Discussion Guide Spring 2016 series are available at www.ffclife.com. This work is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-Non-Commercial-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license.
Overview of this Lesson 15. 4/10/2016 Week 15: James 5:1-6 16. 4/17/2016 Week 16: Spotlight: Jesus on Money 17. 4/24/2016 Week 17: James 5:7-12 18. 5/1/2016 Week 18: Spotlight: Paul on the Lord's Return 19. 5/8/2016 Mother's Day No Lighthouse 20. 5/15/2016 Week 19: James 5:13-18 21. 5/22/2016 Lighthouse Fellowship This is essentially Part 2 of the lesson on the tongue. Last week we learned what the problem is our inability to control our tongue and this week James provides the solution how to control the tongue. In a word, the solution is wisdom. James has already pointed to the importance of wisdom in the believer s life. In Chapter 1, when dealing with the reality of trials, James instructed us to ask God for wisdom as we ask the very human question of why trials happen (1:5). This week, as we look for a solution to taming the tongue, James again points to wisdom as the solution. This time, however, James clarifies for us that there are indeed two kinds of wisdom Worldly Wisdom and Godly Wisdom. The problem is that to the world, Worldly Wisdom appears wise and Godly Wisdom appears foolish. But, as is the theme of the Epistle, James is pointing to a deeper truth and test for us real faith displays Godly Wisdom, while false faith displays Wordly Wisdom. The focus of this week s lesson will be the contrast between Worldly Wisdom and Godly Wisdom. I ve provided a couple of simple charts that help highlight the difference. The key that connects this week with last week is this: to tame the tongue requires Godly Wisdom; a destructive tongue is clear evidence of Worldly Wisdom, and therefore, a counterfeit faith. Memory Verse for This Week James 3:17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. Core Virtue: Gentleness Peace (Philippians 4:6-7): I am free from anxiety because things are right between God, myself and others. Page 2 Lighthouse Ministry Discussion Guide Spring 2016
Introduction 1. Looking back at your notes from this week s sermon, was there anything that particularly caught your attention, challenged or confused you? 2. From your life experience, who is the wisest person you have known? Why would you describe this person as wise? 3. Can you share a time from your life when you believe you made the right choice even though at the time it seemed like the wrong or even foolish choice? This Week s Take Home Truth "To tame the tongue requires Godly Wisdom; a destructive tongue is clear evidence of Worldly Wisdom, and therefore, a counterfeit faith." Read the Text (James 3:13-18) These verses could be called the tale of two cities the realm of wisdom (framing the passage in vv. 13, 17) contrasted with that of selfish ambition. The one from above leads to peace, while the earthly one leads to disorder. [ESV Study Bible] Read James 3:13-18. James 3:13 18 (ESV) 13 Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. 15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. 18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. Page 3 Lighthouse Ministry Discussion Guide Spring 2016
Digging Deeper In this section, feel free to develop your own questions to help guide your group s discussion. Below are some suggestions. 4. What was the focus of last week s lesson, and how is it connected to this week s text? Last week we studied James 3:1-12, and the focus of our lesson was on the power of the tongue. The Take Home Truth was Your little tongue has great big power, so use it carefully, constructively, and consistently." Because of the clear break in our Bible text, it might appear that James is moving on to a new, unrelated subject. Actually, a person's words and wisdom have a direct relationship. The wisdom in the mind determines the kind of words in the mouth. James explained that divine wisdom always manifests its presence in practical Christian behavior (3:13). Certain identification marks always characterize worldly wisdom (3:14-16). In the same way, divine wisdom leaves its footprints in life (3:17-18). To consider what James wrote would be wise. 5. How would you define wisdom? As we will see in this week s lesson, there are two kinds of wisdom from a biblical perspective worldly wisdom and Godly wisdom. Wisdom is not knowledge; it is knowing how to apply knowledge to our behavior and our daily problems. As Christians, it is important to understand where this wisdom comes from as we evaluate our lives. Page 4 Lighthouse Ministry Discussion Guide Spring 2016
This chart from Chuck Swindoll s commentary on James will help summarize the points made below: 6. Starting in verse 14, James describes wisdom from below, or worldly wisdom. What are the outward signs of worldly wisdom? The outward signs of worldly wisdom, or the unwise, are bitter jealousy and selfish ambition. Jerry Vines describes these two as the treacherous twins of the New Testament. Vines describes jealousy and strife as follows: The word bitter jealousy means to be jealous because of the good fortune of someone else. It means that somebody has a job you would like to have. It means that somebody has a boyfriend you wish you had. It means jealousy at the good fortune of someone else. The word strife I think is quite particular at this special time of the year because its original meaning was used of a politician who was politicking for office. In order to politick for office and try to get the office, the politician would resort to any means whatsoever in order to get himself elected. Does that sound familiar to you? James is saying that when there is bitter envying in your heart, that is, the desire to pull somebody else down, and when there is strife in your heart, that is, the desire to lift yourself up, then this is a sign of earthly wisdom. Page 5 Lighthouse Ministry Discussion Guide Spring 2016
7. What are the character attributes of worldly wisdom described in verse 15? Worldly wisdom has three characteristics. First, its viewpoint is of this world. 'Earth' is from epi and gē, literally 'upon the earth.' It does not have a heavenly point of view. Second, it is 'sensual,' or soulish (psuchikos) as opposed to spiritual. In fact, Martin notes that the five instances of the adjective, here and in 1 Corinthians 2:14; 15:44, 46; Jude 19, suggest a condition that is devoid of the Spirit of God. It looks more like unregenerate human nature than regenerate. Third, and even worse, this kind of bogus wisdom is 'demonic' (daimoniōdēs). This is an adjective found only here in the New Testament, and the indictment is quite serious. Demons are real personalities just as the devil or Satan himself. Does James mean that those who abuse with their tongues are 'demon-like' or that they are instigated by actual demons? We know that in the New Testament demons were responsible for evil thoughts and even outright hostility against God and man. James seems to suggest that, in some cases at least, the fruit of these men s tongues resembled demons more than God. James will tell the community in 4:7 to 'resist the devil,' and nowhere else are he and his minions more active than in using the tongue to tear down and mislead. Worldly 'wisdom' will destroy a church, a family, or a society in its attempt to exert its own will. And the source of such wisdom is hell itself. 1 8. What are the results of worldly wisdom described in verse 16? The results of worldly wisdom are disorder and every kind of evil. Earthly wisdom results in confusion and instability, while godly wisdom results in harmony and stability. God cannot be the author of such 'wisdom' that destroys the fellowship of the body. 1 Ellenburg and Morgan, 134. Page 6 Lighthouse Ministry Discussion Guide Spring 2016
9. In verse 13, James describes wisdom from above, or Godly wisdom. What are the outward signs of Godly wisdom? The outward signs of Godly Wisdom are good behavior and gentle deeds. The first refers to the changed lifestyle of a believer, a topic James already has treated in great depth (see 2:14 26). The life of a wise person changes toward the good, exhibiting ready obedience to God s Word. This relates directly to the main message of James s letter: real faith produces genuine works. Smarts, wits, and education do not make a person wise; what does make a person wise is how well his or her lifestyle reflects the truth. Second, works in the gentleness (meekness) of wisdom refers to wisdom-inspired humility and meekness. People today view meekness and gentleness as marks of weak, spineless folks who let others walk all over them. Not so in Scripture! Gentleness is an aspect of the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:23 and it s closely tied to self-control. It s a word used to describe a high-spirited horse brought under control. He hasn t lost his natural strength, but he carries that strength with gentleness and humility. That s biblical wisdom. 2 10. What are the character attributes of Godly wisdom described in verse 17? The character attributes molded by Godly Wisdom include: Purity Peaceable Gentleness Reasonable Merciful Bountiful Unwavering Sincere 2 Charles R. Swindoll, Insights on James and 1 & 2 Peter, Swindoll s New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2010), 77. Page 7 Lighthouse Ministry Discussion Guide Spring 2016
Chuck Swindoll provides an excellent description of each of these Godly character attributes: 1. Pure. Wisdom from above is first pure. The word first means more than merely first on a list. It indicates first in order of importance. God-given wisdom produces purity of internal motives as well as external actions. This kind of lifestyle has a built-in promise, as Jesus said: Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God (Matt. 5:8). Purity of thought and deed helps us see God working in all of our circumstances. 2. Peaceable. In contrast to the bitter jealousy and selfish ambition of the unwise, God-given wisdom produces peaceful relationships. The natural tendency is to be argumentative, quarrelsome, belligerent, and quick-tempered. But God s supernatural life within us guards against alienating others. Rather, it seeks to remove ill will. Jesus has a promise for the peaceable: Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God (Matt. 5:9). 3. Gentle. The third characteristic of a wise person is gentleness. This is a different Greek word than the word translated gentleness in 3:13. That verse emphasized humility. In verse 17, the meaning is equitable, moderate, yielding. It describes a person who surrenders his rights for a higher ideal. In our day, when people feel their rights have been violated, they strike out with a lawsuit over the most insignificant offenses. That s the world s wisdom: petty, contentious, selfish, bitter. But with God s wisdom, we meet petty infractions of our rights with a different kind of ethic: Whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also (Matt. 5:39 40). 4. Reasonable. This Greek word appears only here in the New Testament. It comes from two Greek words, well and persuadable. Together they mean, easily persuaded. But don t get the wrong idea. This doesn t mean a wise person is a naïve pushover! Rather, it has the sense of teachable, somebody who puts aside stubbornness and readily yields to the truth. It can refer to a person who is conciliatory, flexible, and open to change. When the Spirit of God captures the heart and does His work deep within, He softens us. Abraham s relationship with Lot in Genesis 13 exemplifies this kind of conciliatory attitude. God had blessed these two men with so much livestock that the same fields could no longer sustain their herds. Now remember, Abraham was the older of the two, and he was the one to Page 8 Lighthouse Ministry Discussion Guide Spring 2016
whom God had promised all the land of Canaan. He could have said, Lot, take your herdsmen and your flocks and move on. But he didn t. According to Genesis 13:8 9, Abram said to Lot, Please let there be no strife between you and me, nor between my herdsmen and your herdsmen, for we are brothers. Is not the whole land before you? Please separate from me; if to the left, then I will go to the right; or if to the right, then I will go to the left. Now, that s a man of wisdom reasonable cooperative flexible. 5. Merciful. The fifth character trait of those who exhibit wisdom from above is mercy. If grace is giving a person a blessing he or she doesn t deserve, mercy is withholding a just punishment a person does deserve. Mercy implies looking on somebody with compassion when they probably deserve punishment. While worldly wisdom would heap on ridicule or judgment, mercy shows kindness and benevolence. 6. Bountiful. Wise people are filled with good fruits. James ties this closely with the previous quality, mercy. It probably refers to the outward actions that accompany the attitude of pity for others. A person who has genuine mercy will give bountiful blessings to others. In the last chapter, James used the example of the useless faith of those who saw a brother or sister in need but who refused to do anything about it (2:15 16). Godly wisdom, however, puts mercy to work, abounding in fruitful deeds. 7. Unwavering. This term suggests a person with fixed principles, who will never violate biblical standards regardless of the situation. This steadfast person is never willing to compromise on the truth of Scripture. Never! Now, this doesn t contradict the earlier characteristic of reasonableness. Rather, James indicates the balance that true wisdom brings. A wise person does not take the virtue of steadfastness to the extreme of ornery legalism, nor does he or she take flexibility to the extreme of compromising on absolute truth. That kind of balance takes true wisdom and that comes only from above. 8. Sincere. Finally, James describes wisdom from above as unhypocritical. The Greek word hypokrisis comes from a term used to describe an actor playing two parts. In Greek plays one actor would often switch masks, costumes, or props to take on different roles. (The fewer actors who put on a play, the larger the cut from the ticket sales!) When the actor played a comedic role, he would wear a mask with a big smile. For a tragic character, the mask would change to sorrow. He d then run off the stage and come out with an angry face for the villain. That s the essence of hypocrisy a shiftiness, instability, Page 9 Lighthouse Ministry Discussion Guide Spring 2016
unpredictability. But believers endowed with the Spirit of wisdom will live a life of sincerity. All the masks come off and they follow the WYSIWYG principle: What You See Is What You Get. 3 11. What are the results of Godly wisdom described in verse 18? James employs a beautiful word picture to describe the results of Godly Wisdom within the believer and the Church: And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace (v. 18). What a contrast to the results of Worldly Wisdom, which leads to bitter jealousy and selfish ambition! Godly Wisdom produces a harvest of righteousness sown in peace, a process that describes both the fruit of Godly Wisdom (righteousness), but also the heart of the person, which is ruled by the peace of God instead of the selfish ambitions of the world. Again, this all ties back to the overarching theme James is driving home through his epistle true faith is ruled by the royal law and is outwardly demonstrated by consistent good works. This is a day when humility before God and His Word is needed. Why? Because there is so much false wisdom and wrong teaching being followed. We desperately need to turn back to the worship and ministry of God and His Word alone. We need to get away from worshipping ourselves, from following our own selfish ambitions. We need to get away from seeking position, recognition, new and novel ideas, and the human comforts and ease of this life. Our call as pastors and teachers of God is to proclaim His Word and to minister to the needs of people everywhere. The confusion and evil of the world can be corrected only by proclaiming the truth of God and His Word. This we must do. And the first step is to straighten out ourselves first. How? By humbly bowing before God in repentance and confession of our selfish ambition and lack of discipline, complacency, and worldliness. We must repent and confess our failure and turn completely away from it. And then we must get up and go forth in the strength of God s Spirit and proclaim the pure truth of God and His Word proclaim His Word and nothing else. 3 Swindoll, 81 83. Page 10 Lighthouse Ministry Discussion Guide Spring 2016
Concluding Thoughts These questions are given to prompt both reflection and learning on a personal level, and should likely be completed individually and apart from your regular group time. Unrest and dissatisfaction plague millions. People often stumble around in terrible darkness, groping and grasping for peace. God is the answer; He is the only answer. But just declaring that truth is not enough to bring peace to a person s soul. The Word of God must be taught. People must be shown the right way to gain peace with God and with each other. What can you do to help? Pray that the Lord will give you the true Godly Wisdom from above so you can share it with others. Become wise so that you can sow seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness. Let this be your prayer for this week. Lord, help me to 1. recognize false, worldly wisdom. 2. seek true wisdom from above. 3. sow the seeds of peace and reap a harvest of rightouessness. Godly wisdom sees things from an eternal perspective that can only come from God. We must go to Him constantly in prayer and in the Word, crying out to Him in order to receive His wisdom. This is the point of Proverbs 2:1-8: My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, listening closely to wisdom and directing your heart to understanding; furthermore, if you call out to insight and lift your voice to understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it like hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and discover the knowledge of God. For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding. He stores up success for the upright; He is a shield for those who live with integrity so that He may guard the paths of justice and protect the way of His loyal followers. Page 11 Lighthouse Ministry Discussion Guide Spring 2016
Stepping In the Light Eliza E. Hewitt & William J. Kirkpatrick Trying to walk in the steps of the Savior, Trying to follow our Savior and King; Shaping our lives by His blessed example, Happy, how happy, the songs that we bring. Pressing more closely to Him Who is leading, When we are tempted to turn from the way; Trusting the arm that is strong to defend us, Happy, how happy, our praises each day. Walking in footsteps of gentle forbearance, Footsteps of faithfulness, mercy, and love; Looking to Him for the grace freely promised, Happy, how happy, our journey above. Trying to walk in the steps of the Savior, Upward, still upward we ll follow our Guide; When we shall see Him, the King in His beauty, Happy, how happy, our place at His side. Page 12 Lighthouse Ministry Discussion Guide Spring 2016
Becoming A House of Prayer Set aside a portion of your Lighthouse for prayer. Prayer Prompts: When confronted with temptation, many of us seem to forget that because of our union with Christ, the old man has been buried with Christ. Pray that we will recognize the freedom over sin this brings when one has been buried with Christ, that person is then free to walk in the power of the resurrected Jesus (Romans 1:3, 5). Pray that the members of First Family will be so committed to Christ that we will want to lay down our old sinful ways and walk in the newness of life found in Jesus (Romans 6:4). Please pray that Christians everywhere will do the kind of spiritual accounting where they acknowledge daily that because of Jesus saving work, they are dead to sin and can walk in victory over every evil allurement (Romans 6:11). Pray that every believer First Family Church will acknowledge that their faith in Christ has set them on a path where they are alive to God and can experience His holy life within them in real, tangible ways every day (Romans 6:11). Pray that your family members and Christian friends will make the decision to not let sin rule or reign as king over their mortal bodies, to obey its lusts (Romans 6:12). Pray that as Christians we will be sensitive not to do those things that cause our spiritual brothers and sisters to stumble into sin (Romans 14:21). Page 13 Lighthouse Ministry Discussion Guide Spring 2016
Contrasting Worldly Wisdom vs. Godly Wisdom Worldly Wisdom It comes from hell. It s of the devil. It is earthly/fleshly. It is combative. It leads to disorder. It comes from trusting yourself. It is rooted in bitter jealousy and selfish ambition. It unleashes the tongue and employs it as a weapon of selfpromotion and destruction. It leads to strife and quarreling. It produces a corrupted character. It is hypocritical. It sees life from man s perspective. It focuses on the here and now. It seeks the advancement and pleasure of self. It asks the question, What s in it for me? It is the antithesis of everything that is from God. It produces a world of unrighteousness. It is subtle and deceitful. Godly Wisdom It comes from heaven It s of the Lord. It s Spirit-filled. It is gentle. It leads to peace. It comes from trusting God. It is rooted in meekness and humility. It tames the tongue and employs it as an instrument of grace and mercy. It leads to unity. It produces Godly character. It is without hypocrisy. It sees life from God s perspective. It focuses on eternity. It seeks to die to self, take up the cross and follow Christ. It asks the question, what would God have me to do? It is the antithesis of everything that is of the devil. It produces a harvest of righteousness. It is open and authentic. Page 14 Lighthouse Ministry Discussion Guide Spring 2016