How Worldly Wisdom Operates (James 3:14)

SPIRITUAL DIARY

 

                                                                                                            Date:  10-01-03

 

My Worship Time                                          Focus:  How Worldly Wisdom Operates

 

Bible Reading & Meditation                                     Reference:  James 3:14

 

Message of the verse:  14 “But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth.”

In keeping with the order that Dr. Wiersbe is writing his book I will look at verse 14 this morning.  In verse 14 James is giving evidence of how worldly wisdom operates and there are a number of things in this verse I need to look at. 

1)                     Worldly wisdom operates with envy. One of the meanings that Strongs gives to this word is, “an envious and contentious rivalry, jealousy.”  This word ties in with James 3:1, “Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we shall incur a stricter judgment.”  He is saying that believers should not to be ambitious for a spiritual office.  The world’s wisdom says we are to promote ourselves.

2)                     Worldly wisdom operates with strife.  Now this word means to have a party spirit an as Dr. Wiersbe says, “it was used by the Greeks to describe a politician out canvassing for votes.”

3)                     Worldly wisdom operates with boasting.  This is speaking of a proud man who is boasting about his worldly wisdom.  The Bible teaches us that we are to be humble and if you think about it Jesus Christ had more to boast about than anyone who has ever walked on this earth, but He always gave glory to God, and He was always humble and meek, which is the only example to follow.  As believers living on this earth we should be about the business of God, being available to do His work, and then giving the glory to Him for being used of Him to accomplish His work on earth.  This is something that all believers can work on.

4)                     Worldly wisdom operates with deceit.  In verse 14 James speaks of deceit when he writes, “lie not against the truth.”  Dr. Wiersbe describes this downward spiral this way:  “First, there is selfish ambition that leads to party spirit and rivalry.  In order to ‘win the election’ we must resort to boasting; and boasting usually involves lies!” 

 

            Spiritual meaning for my life today:  As I look at this list of things that show how worldly wisdom operates I see myself doing some of these, and when I do them I am robbing God’s glory, and this is not pleasing to me to do that.

 

The Word of God was very convicting to my heart as I read it this morning.

 

My Steps of Faith Today:  It seems that Psalm 139 and verses 23-24 are becoming verses that are, not only very familiar with me, but also very helpful to me as the Lord uses them to work in my life.  “Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; And see if there be any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way.”