James gives us of a series of descriptions contrasting the wisdom of God with earthly wisdom. God's wisdom helps to lead us on the right path. True wisdom is from God and when we seek God and live our lives for Him, the world sees a difference. I like how the Tyndale Bible Dictionary described wisdom: "Wisdom was sought not for its own sake but always for its application to the meaning of life, because life—like wisdom—was God's gift. This emphasis in Hebrew wisdom meant that the virtues of the wise man or woman were never described in intellectual terms alone; they were those whose lives were characterized by understanding, patience, diligence, trustworthiness, self-control, modesty, and similar virtues. In a word, the wise man was the God-fearing man; his wisdom lay not just in a static attitude of reverence but rather in the conscious development of the mind toward wisdom in the context of godly living."
We can see how this fits right along with James teaching that our lives should show evidence of Christ living in us. So James sets the stage by posing a challenge to those who were considered wise among his audience. He says in James 3:13 'Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom.' The Greek word for 'wise' (sophia) means skillful, Whereas the Greek word for understanding means expert, skillful, or experienced. So James is exhorting those who claim the status of being wise, skillful and experienced to display their virtues in their behavior. Sounds familiar doesn't it. James continually tells us to walk the talk. Our lives should show evidence of Christ living in us!
Click this link to view more on the wisdom of God vs earthly wisdom:
http://empoweredbiblestudy.sermon.tv/Book_of_James/2243586
No comments:
Post a Comment