Introduction: Have you ever said, “That person needs an attitude
adjustment?” Have you ever thought that your attitude could use
improvement? In our study this week, James has some practical
thoughts on wisdom and our attitude. Once again, he suggests some
things that seem inconsistent with other Bible texts. We will puzzle
out those apparent conflicts. Let’s dive into our study of the Bible
and see what we can learn about attitudes and wisdom!
- Wise and Understanding
- Read James 3:13. Look at the question. What do you think
James expected? Would some people raise their hands and
say, “Yes, that is me. I’m wise and understanding.” (I’ve
known people who I think might raise their hand. But, my
thought is that James is asking the question to start us
thinking: “How can I become wise and understanding?” What
does it mean to be wise and understanding?) - Look again at James 3:13, but this time look at James’
answer to the question. Is this just more of the same from
James: our deeds prove our faith? (Yes it is more of the
same, but it is also an opening for a discussion of what
it means to be wise and understanding.) - Read James 3:14-15. Are envy and ambition okay if they are
not “bitter” and “selfish?” (Envy and ambition motivate us
to get up and do something. But, you can cross a line.
Bitter sounds like conflict, and the Greek behind the word
translated “ambition” has an element of strife.) - Why would someone boast about bitter envy and selfish
ambition? (We see this all the time. Essentially the
person says “I am going to fight my way to the top.”) - James also mentions “denying the truth.” What
“truth” is being denied? (The truth that we
are, indeed, harboring bitter envy and selfish
ambition.) - Wait a minute! James calls “bitter envy and selfish
ambition” “wisdom.” What was James’ original
question? (“Who is wise and understanding?”) - Re-read James 3:13-15. Is James comparing two views of
wisdom? (Yes. God’s wisdom produces a good life and deeds
done with an attitude of humility. Satan’s wisdom produces
an attitude of bitter envy and selfish ambition.) - Why does James compare the two? (He wants us to
choose the right wisdom, the wisdom that comes from
God.) - Read James 3:16. What kind of life does Satan’s wisdom
produce? (“Disorder and every evil practice.” This
motivates us to seek God’s wisdom.) - Read James 3:17. We have the problem of “which comes
first?” Are these attitudes the result of heavenly wisdom
(much like disorder and evil practice result from Satan’s
wisdom), or is James describing the kinds of attitudes we
need to cultivate to have heaven’s wisdom? (How about a
third answer: I think it is a test. How can you tell
heavenly wisdom? It looks like this: Pure, peaceful,
sincere, impartial, mercy, good deeds, submissive and a
considerate attitude.) - Read James 3:18. Why do you think James singles out
“peacemakers?” “Peace” is just one of the attitudes
resulting from God’s wisdom, why highlight it? (I’ll bet
you agree with James: having someone in your life who
promotes peace, instead of trouble, is very important.
Peace brings a harvest of righteousness.) - Troublemakers
- Read James 4:1-2. Look at James’ question, “What causes
fights?” What do you think about his answer to that
question? (It seems right. We get into fights because we
think we should have something that we don’t have.) - Let’s consider this in connection with Satan’s
wisdom. What tilts people towards Satan’s wisdom? (An
attitude that they have been deprived of something.
This arises from bitter envy and selfish ambition.
The result is coveting, quarreling, fighting, and
killing.) - What is the solution to this serious problem? (Asking
God for those things we covet.) - Read James 4:3. James just suggested that we ask God when
we feel deprived of something. Now he limits our ability
to ask. What do you think about James’ limit? - How many of the things you ask God for involve your
own pleasure? - Read Matthew 7:9-11. Do you give your children good
gifts that give them pleasure? - Would you want to give your child a gift that
did not bring pleasure? - If you say, “No, I want my child to enjoy
my gift,” what is James talking about? (I
suspect this has something to do with what
is meant by “good” gifts and what kind of
pleasure James means.) - Read James 4:4-5. Has James jumped to a different topic?
- If you say, “no,” what has this to do with God’s
wisdom – the wisdom that asks for the right things?
(I don’t think James has changed topics. Instead, he
says that what brings us pleasure turns on who we
have as friends. If we have the attitude of the
world, we will always covet (envy intensely), which
creates unhappiness, quarrels and fights in our life.
We should not expect God to fill the hole created by
this envy. If God did that He would promote the wrong
goal.) - The Cure
- Read James 4:6. What is the cure for Satan’s wisdom, with
its resulting envy and trouble? (Grace. God offers to send
His Holy Spirit to convert our hearts. We need to put
away our pride, and realize our need of grace.) - Read James 4:7-8. Would you like a more peaceful life?
What practical steps does James prescribe? (The attitude
of submitting to God, resisting Satan.) - When James tells us to “wash” our hands and “purify”
our hearts, is he advocating good hygiene? (Our hands
represent what we do, and our hearts represent what
we think.) - Is James advocating works? (Notice that James
introduces this by saying “come near to God”
and God “will come near to you.” I’ll
understand that as grace.) - Read James 4:9. Is this God’s wisdom: to grieve, mourn,
wail and be gloomy? Those attitudes and practices should
make Christianity attractive! - Read John 15:9-11 and Galatians 5:22. Jesus tells us
that obedience brings joy. Paul tells us that the
Holy Spirit living in us brings joy. Is James off on
a tangent? This is a serious question because I have
heard so-called Christians advocating an attitude of
gloom and mourning. (Look at the context. James is
giving advice to those who are coming over from the
dark side. These are people who need a change of
attitude and a change of actions. Thus, I think James
is saying to be serious about our sins. Grieve and
mourn our life of sin. Once we bring this sin to God
for forgiveness, then joy is one of the gifts of the
Holy Spirit living in us.) - Read James 4:10. What kind of humility is James calling
for? (Look at context again. Humility is submitting to
God’s desire for your life. If we have that attitude, God
will “lift you up.”) - Does this look like the advice on gloom and joy? (It
is an exact parallel. The sadness over your sins
brings joy for the future. Humbling your will before
God, brings glory for the future.) - Let’s assume that you are counseling young people. How
would you lay out the two alternative paths and encourage
them to follow the path of God’s wisdom? (Ask what kind of
life they want to have. Do they want to constantly be
envious and bitter about the success of those around them?
Do they want to have disorder, quarrels and fights as a
regular part of life? If they prefer peace, satisfaction
and honor, then they need to decide to choose God’s path
and God’s attitudes.) - Friend, how about you? How is your life? How is your
attitude? Look again at James 3:17 and see if the wisdom
of your life looks like this. If not, why not ask the Holy
Spirit to change your attitudes to give you God’s wisdom? - Next week: One Lawgiver and Judge.
