James 3:13-18 ESV
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.
• • •
Proverbs 8:11 NLT
11 For wisdom is far more valuable than rubies.Nothing you desire can compare with it.
• • •
What is wisdom, and where does it come from?
• • •
Wisdom from below is earthly wisdom.
• • •
1 Corinthians 3:19 ESV
19 For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their craftiness,”
• • •
1 Corinthians 1:18-19 ESV
18 For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.”
• • •
Wisdom from above is heavenly wisdom.
• • •
Proverbs 9:10 ESV
10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.
• • •
1 Kings 12:8 NIV
8 But Rehoboam rejected the advice the elders gave him and consulted the young men who had grown up with him and were serving him.
• • •
Proverbs 15:1 NIV
1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
• • •
The Source of Wisdom Matters
• • •
2 Timothy 4:3-4 ESV
3 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, 4 and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.
• • •
Acts 17:10-11 ESV
10 The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue. 11 Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.
• • •
Application:
Wisdom: Filter it, Follow it, and Find its Fruit
