SPIRITUAL
DIARY FOR 09-24-03
My
Worship Time Focus: Contrasts
in origin of wisdom
Bible
Reading & Meditation Reference: James 3:15 & 17a
1. Message of the verse: “This wisdom is not that which comes down
from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. But the wisdom from above.”
This is a new section
and a new chapter in Dr. Wiersbe’s book, and is under the main point in his
outline or the book: “HE HAS POWER OVER
HIS TONGUE.” This is the third point entitled,
“Application.” I believe that the point
of this is that using wisdom in the way that the Word of God prescribes it will
be a good use of the tongue.
This section is
entitled “Contrast in Origins,” and it contrasts the origin of the wisdom of
the world, with the wisdom of God. There
are many examples in the Bible of man using their own wisdom in order to
accomplish something, only to have thing not work out the way they had
envisioned them to work out. Dr. Wiersbe
gives a number of examples in his book.
True wisdom comes from above as seen in verse 17, and false wisdom comes
from below as seen in verse 15.
There are three
categories given in verse 15 that speak of false wisdom, that come from below:
earthly, natural, and demonic are the way the NASB describes them. These three are very similar to the three
enemies of the believers which are the world, the flesh, and the devil. Ephesians 2:1-3 gives some insight into these
three: “And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which
you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the
prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons
of disobedience. Among them we too all
formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh
and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.” 1 John 2:16 “For all that is in the world,
the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life,
is not from the Father, but is from the world.”
The wisdom of the
world is spoken of by Paul in 1Corthians 1:20,21 “Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the
debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world
through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the
foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.” In verse 20 Paul says that man’s wisdom is
foolishness to God, but also says that God’s wisdom is foolishness to man. In Proverbs 9:10 we can see why God’s wisdom
is foolishness to man, “The
fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One
is understanding. The results of man
not fearing the Lord can be seen in most every aspect of life, as we know it
today. All one has to do is look at the
TV for a short time to see that man has no fear of God. Romans 3:18 says exactly this, "There is
no fear of God before their eyes."
The word translated
“natural” in verse 15 comes from the root word “psuke” in the Greek and is where we
get our work psychology from. This word
is used a number of times other places in the Bible and it can mean the
opposite of spiritual as seen in 1Corthians 2:14; 15:44, & 46.
The last origin of
false wisdom comes from Satan and the best example of this is seen in Genesis 3
where Satan told and Eve accepted the “lie” and because of Adam also accepting
it the world along with all mankind was plunged into sin. People still believe the lie, that man can be
like God even to this day. Read Romans
1:18-25.
James writes of the
origin of Godly wisdom in verse 17 where he says it comes from above. James 1:17 tells us that every good gift and
every perfect comes from above. Our
citizenship is in heaven, our treasures are in heaven, we were born from above,
our home is in heaven, and our hope is in heaven. It makes sense then that are wisdom should
come from God in heaven.
There are places
where the believer looks to for wisdom.
Colossians 2:2,3 gives us the first place to look for wisdom, “That their hearts might be comforted,
being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of
understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father,
and of Christ; in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”
The Word of God also gives us wisdom, and James has already written that we can
receive wisdom through believing prayer as we ask God. (See James 1:5) Ephesians 1:17 says that The Holy Spirit of
God is the Spirit of wisdom. “The origin
of true spiritual wisdom is God. To get
your wisdom from any other source is to ask for trouble.” (From “Be Mature”)
2. Spiritual meaning
for my life today: To get wisdom from
the only sources of wisdom: Jesus Christ, The Word of God; Believing prayer;
and The Holy Spirit of God.
The Word of God was challenging to my heart as I think
about where I am to get my wisdom from day by day.
My
Steps of Faith Today: To
trust the Lord for wisdom, especially for all of the trials that He has brought
my way in these past weeks, and months.
Memory verses for the week:
James 1:1-5
1.
James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,
to the twelve tribes who are scattered abroad, greetings.
2.
Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter
various trials,
3.
Knowing that the testing of your faith produce endurance.
4.
And let endurance have its perfect results, that you may be
perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
5.
But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who
gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given him.
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