HOW TO BE A REAL WISE GUY or WISE GAL

Some of you have asked for me to post the notes from our weekly Bible Study. Well, here they are...

These are the notes from this past Tuesday - Thursday (January 29-31). I love how practical and down to earth God's Word is... This week we studied James 3:13-18...

How To Be A REAL Wise Guy or Wise Gal
TRUE FAITH: A Study of the Book of James
James 3:13-18 • Chris Goins

James 3:13-14 (MSG), Do you want to be counted wise, to build a reputation for wisdom? Here’s what you do: Live well, live wisely, live humbly. It’s the way you live, not the way you talk, that counts. 14 Mean-spirited ambition isn’t wisdom. Boasting that you are wise isn’t wisdom. Twisting the truth to make yourselves sound wise isn’t wisdom.

James 3:15-18 (NLT), For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and motivated by the Devil. 16 For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and every kind of evil.
17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no partiality and is always sincere. 18 And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of goodness.


ESSENTIAL TRUTH OF JAMES 3:13-18: Wisdom is a LIFESTYLE.


WHAT DOE THE WISDOM OF THIS WORLD LOOK LIKE?

James 3:14-16 (NLT), But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your hearts, don't brag about being wise. That is the worst kind of lie. 15 For jealousy and selfishness are not God's kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and motivated by the Devil. 16 For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and every kind of evil.

• Bitter Jealousy
• Selfish Ambition (Philippians 1:17; 2:3)
• Prideful Arrogance
• Self Deception


WHAT DOES REAL WISDOM LOOK LIKE?

James 3:17 (NLT), But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no partiality and is always sincere.

1. If I’m Wise, I Will Walk In Purity and Integrity.

James 3:17 (NLT), But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure...

Proverbs 10:9 (NIV), The man of integrity walks securely…

2. If I’m Wise, I Will Cultivate PEACE.

James 3:17 (NLT), But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure. It is also peace loving...

Proverbs 20:3 (MSG), It’s a mark of good character to avert quarrels, but fools love to pick fights.

The FUEL For Fights:
Comparing Condemning Contradicting

3. If I’m Wise, I Won’t Minimize Your FEELINGS.

James 3:17 (NLT), But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times...

4. If I’m Wise, I Will Learn How To YIELD.

James 3:17 (NLT), But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others...
Proverbs 12:15 (NLT), Fools think they need no advice, but the wise listen to others.

5. If I’m Wise, I Will Show Mercy When It Comes to Your Mistakes.

James 3:17 (NLT), But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds...

Proverbs 17:9 (NIV), He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.

6. If I’m Wise, I Won’t Hide My Own Weaknesses.

James 3:17 (NLT), But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no partiality and is always sincere.

2 Corinthians 1:12 (NLT), We can say with confidence and a clear conscience that we have been honest and sincere in all our dealings. We have depended on God’s grace, not on our own earthly wisdom. That is how we have acted toward everyone, and especially toward you.


HOW CAN I CULTIVATE REAL WISDOM?

• GOD FIRST (Psalm 111:10; Proverbs 9:10).

• A Relationship With Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 1:30 (NIV), It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.

• The Word of God (Colossians 3:16).

• Prayer (James 1:5).