Who Is Wise ?

James 3:13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.
v. 3:14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not and lie not against the truth.
v.3:15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devillish.
v.3:16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
v.3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
v.3:18 And the fruit of righteouness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

For further reading on wisdom read Proverbs 9:1-18


Scripture in context:

In the third chapter of the book of James, he explains the dangers
of the tongue. He makes it clear that it is inconsistent with christian character for your mouth to bless God and curse man, who is made in God's image.
He then progresses to a greater accountability that teachers face because their primary tool for teaching is their tongue.
One would need to excercise Godly wisdom which comes from above and not from the earth if, it is beleived that they are called to teach in the church.
James then moves on to contrast the two types of wisdom, earthly wisdom and wisdom from above.
In conclusion, he teaches that they that sow in righteouness are using Godly wisdom and in turn will reap the fruit of peace, humility and honor.


Principles to apply:

1) Remember, you are always teaching by your lifestyle
2) Choose Gods wisdom over the worlds wisdom.
3) Wisdom will be seen not just professed.
4) Meekness is inseparable from true wisdom.
5) You can be snared with the words of your own mouth.
6) Wisdom has respect for God and ourselves.(sanctified)
7) Wisdom is not harsh toward other's faults.
8) You will reap what you sow.
9) Teachers will be held accountable for what we are teaching