James 3 (vs 13-18)
Sermon preached at Gospel Light Christian Church, Singapore
by Pastor Dr Paul Choo
on 20 Mar 2005
Revision (James 3:1-12):
“…be not many masters” (v.1)
“For in many things we offend all…” (v.2)
“If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man…” (v.2)
“Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth” (v.5)
“But the tongue can no man tame.” (v.8)
Today’s lessons:
1. Who is a wise man? (v.13):
The first twelve verses of James chapter 3 deal with the tongue. In verse 13 the question: “Who is a wise man?” is asked because the world generally believes that the person who speaks knowledgeably, states his arguments logically and presents a good plan is a wise man. Many people also believe that a person is wise if he is wise in conducting his business affairs, brilliant in a particular academic subject, etc. But the Bible tells us that a man’s walk is more important than his talk (or his expertise in a certain field). The word “conversation” means life, behavior, conduct (not talk – as is the modern interpretation of this word!). In other words, the Bible teaches us that a man has true wisdom when he is able to apply his wisdom and knowledge in such a way that it produces a “good conversation” (ie, good life). True wisdom and knowledge must teach us how to live a good life. The aim of modern-day education is to teach us how to make a good living.
A good life is evidenced by good works, eg. honoring parents, loving wife, patiently training children, helpful to poor, forgiving to offenders. Matthew 12:33 says: “…for the tree is known by his fruit.”
The good works of a good man are done in meekness. Meekness is the opposite of pride. A truly wise man realizes how little he knows and how little he does and therefore is not proud when he does something. This is the “meekness of (true) wisdom,” which is so different from the pride of earthly wisdom. The good works of a godly man is pleasant because it is done in humility. It is difficult to accept the help or advice of a proud man. (The beauty of a baby is that it does not know how beautiful it is!)
2. Envy produces stress (v.14):
Envy is found in every heart. Envy is the feeling of dissatisfaction when someone has more than we have. Since someone will always have something that we do not have, envy is a restless, raging passion that eats away our satisfaction resulting in a “bitter” life. Even when there were only two people in the whole world, Cain was envious with his brother Abel (Genesis 4). In Proverbs 14:30 envy is described as the “rottenness of the bones.” Man’s needs (1Timothy 6:8) are easily satisfied but man’s envy can never be satisfied.
Since envy cannot bear to see others’ have more, it produces “strife.” Strife is that grabbing, selfish ambition that consumes our lives and traps us in the “rat-race.” Since envy and the strife (which results from envy) are universally recognized as bad character traits, they are carefully camouflaged “in our hearts.” In fact, they are so well camouflaged that most people do not even know that they are suffering from “bitter envy and strife”! Instead of admitting that we have bitter envy and strife, most people glory (ie, boast) that they are hard-working and ambitious who want to provide the best for their families. Maybe in the past, we did not know that we had envy and strife but now that we know, let us lie not against the truth.
The cure for envy is to believe that God created each of us uniquely. Though each Christian should have Christ-like character (eg. love, faith, honesty, patience), we are each uniquely created for a special “niche” in this world. The challenge of life is not to outdo others but to discover the unique personal will of God for us. In other words, we are not to try to be like someone else but be the person that God created us to be. If we do not know God’s will for our life, we will be frustrated – like a duck trying to fly with the eagles!
Realizing that we are unique can be an excuse for laziness but it is also the formula for true satisfaction and success in life. Let us ask for wisdom to be in the center of God’s will, in all that we do.
3. The wisdom to outdo others is not necessarily from God (v.15):
We often thank God for the wisdom to do well in exams and jobs. While it is good to be thankful for all things, we must be aware that “this wisdom” to outdo others because of envy is not “from above” because God does not promote envy and strife (even if we are not aware that it is a sin, God is aware!). It might shock us that “this wisdom” to outdo others out of envy is earthly, sensual, devilish. In other words, this wisdom could come when we learn from others (ie, earthly), from our own sensual desires (ie, to fulfill the lust of the eyes, flesh) or even from Satan (ie, devilish). Satan cannot take our salvation away but he can keep us too busy to enjoy fellowship with God or be useful for God.
4. The characteristics of earthly wisdom (v.16):
Earthly wisdom desires to outdo others (the more the merrier) in the bid to quench the raging fire of envy. This result in an endless strife called the rat-race. The striving produces confusion because the person cannot give a satisfactory answer when he is asked why he is working so hard. His usual answer is: “I don’t have a choice!” which shows his confusion because he DOES have a choice! As a Christian he knows that God will provide for him (Matthew 6:33) but he lives as if God will not! His confusion is also seen in his mixed-up priorities. He admits that his health and family are more important but it is not reflected in his behavior. As he strives to outdo others, he resorts to every evil work, eg. slander, lying, cheating, dirty politicking, bribing.
5. The characteristics of godly wisdom (v.17,18):
(i) Pure – because the source is pure (ie, the Bible and the Holy Spirit) unlike man’s corrupted desires.
(ii) Peaceable – unlike strife which causes trouble, the person who does God’s will has peace that God will bless his work and so he does not need to resort to “dirty tactics” (v.18).
(iii) Gentle – ie, considerate to others because there is no need to depend on human tactics.
(iv) Easy to be entreated – ie, reasonable, willing to yield to reason because there is no need to insist on our way (so that we do not lose control or face).
(v) Full of mercy – Since God is in control, we can be merciful to those who wrong us or take advantage of us.
(vi) Full of good fruits – Godly wisdom is not so heavenly that it is of no earthly good!
(vii) Without partiality – Godly wisdom does not judge according to outward appearances.
(viii) Without hypocrisy – Godly wisdom knows that God sees the heart and hates hypocrisy.