HOW TO RELATE WISELY TO OTHERS
Developing a Faith that Works
James 3:13-18
“And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of goodness.” James 3:18 (TLB)
* Wisdom is A LIFESTYLE
“Who is wise and understanding among you. Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in humility that comes from wisdom.” James 3:13
* Worldly wisdom causes PROBLEMS
“If you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your heart don’t boast about it and deny the truth. Such `wisdom’ does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, even of the devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition there you find disorder and every evil practice.” James 3:14 16
HOW TO RELATE WISELY TO OTHERS
“But wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure, then peace loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.” James 3:17
IF I CHOOSE GODLY WISDOM:
• I WON’T COMPROMISE MY INTEGRITY.
“The wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure.” James 3:17
“So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbor the truth…” Ephesians 4:25 (NLT)
• I WON’T PROVOKE YOU TO ANGER
“Wisdom is … peace loving.” James 3:17
“Any fool can start arguments; the [wise] thing is to stay out of them.” Proverbs 20:3 (GNT)
THREE THINGS THAT STARTS ANGER
1. COMPARING
2. CONDEMNING
3. CONTRADICTING
“A wise man controls his temper. He knows that anger causes mistakes.” Proverbs 14:29 (TLB)
• I WON’T MINIMIZE YOUR FEELINGS
“Wisdom is … considerate” “gentle” (GNT) “courteous” (TLB)
“Kind words bring life, but cruel words crush your spirit.” Proverbs 15:4
• IF I AM WISE, I WON’T CRITICIZE DECISIONS & SUGGESTIONS
“Wisdom is … submissive.”
“Open to reason” (RSV); “it allows discussion” (TLB)
“A fool thinks he needs no advice… a wise man listens to others.” Proverbs 12:15 (TLB)
• I WON’T EMPHASIZE YOUR MISTAKES
“Wisdom is … full of mercy and good fruit.”
“Love forgets mistakes; nagging about them parts the best of friends.” Proverbs 17:9 (TLB)
• I WON’T LOOK DOWN ON YOU
“Wisdom is … impartial…”
“My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don’t show favoritism.” James 2:1
“… Never treat [anybody] in [a] different way according to their outward appearance.” James 2:1 (GNT)
THREE Problems with Favoritism
1. Favoritism is unchristian.
“… God does not show favoritism.” Romans 2:11 (NIV)
2. Favoritism is unloving.
“If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, `Love your neighbor as yourself.’ you’re doing right.” James 2:8 (NIV)
3. Favoritism is a sin.
“… If you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. For whoever keeps the whole law yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.” James 2:9-10 (NIV)
• I WON’T DISGUISE MY WEAKNESSES
“Wisdom is … sincere.”
“You will never succeed in life if you try to hide your sins…” Proverbs 28:13 (GNT)
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God who gives generously.” James 1:5
“The secret is Christ himself; in him lie hidden all God’s treasures of wisdom…” Colossians 2:3
“Reverence for the LORD is the beginning of wisdom…” Psalm 9:10