James 3:13-18
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.
14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.
15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.
16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.
18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.
Conventional
advocates aggressive leadership.
But
wisdom leads to
leadership.
Peaceful leadership has nine
(v. 17).
“pure”:
“peace-loving” :
“considerate” :
“submissive”:
“submissive” :
“full of mercy” :
[full of] “good fruit” :
“impartial” :
“sincere” :
Peaceful leadership results in
(v. 18).
Big Idea: Seek, live, and lead with
wisdom as an intentional act of faith.
God’s wisdom because it doesn’t come naturally (v. 18: “peacemakers”).
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” —Matthew 5:9
by God’s wisdom because that’s what faith means.
Lead with God’s wisdom because that produces righteousness (v. 18: “harvest of righteousness”).
“…Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.” —James 1:19-20