Ridding Yourself of Individualism
James 3:13-18
Pastor John Talley
Part of The Mud Puddles of Life
October 19, 2020

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. —James 3:13-18

The

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that rules in a
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,
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, and in
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will
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to avoid the mud puddles of life.

I. Clarifying the foundations for life choices 3:13

13 Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. —James 3:13

  • A. Clarifying question 3:13a
    1. Wise
    2. Understanding
  • B. Clear answer 3:13b
    1. Good conduct
    2. Meekness of wisdom

A person walking in

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will
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his/her
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in such a way that it will
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under whose authority they are operating.

II. Contrast in foundations for life Choices 3:14-18

  • A. A life based on individualistic wisdom 3:14-16

    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. —James 3:14-16

    1. Motivation 3:14
      a. Bitter jealousy
      b. Selfish ambition
    2. Origination 3:15
      a. Not from above
      b. Earthly, unspiritual, demonic
    3. Confirmation 3:16
      a. Jealousy/selfish ambition
      b. Disorder/instability
      c. Every vile practice

  • B. A life based on godly wisdom 3:17-18

    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. —James 3:17-18

    1. Origination 3:17a
      a. Pure – free from contamination
      b. From above – source is God
    2. Characterization 3:17b
      a. Peaceable
      b. Gentle
      c. Reasonable
      d. Merciful
      e. Good fruits
      f. Impartial
      g. Sincere
    3. Confirmation 3:18
      a. Harvest of righteousness
      b. Peace
      c. Peace maker

Godly wisdom produces a

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of
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between God and our
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.

Small Group Questions

  1. What did God teach you through this passage and sermon? Share the work of God in your heart with the group.

  2. What questions did this passage and sermon raise in your mind? This would be a great opportunity as a group to use the Ask a Pastor feature and that way we can address it either directly or in the messages in the future.

  3. How would you define in your own words godly wisdom based on this passage?

  4. In what ways have you seen godly wisdom exemplified in another person?

  5. Which of the seven qualities of godly wisdom do you most need to work on? What steps do you think you will need to take?