James 3:13 – 4:3
In today’s scripture the writer of James’ Epistle speaks to the nature of true wisdom – God’s wisdom – and as he similarly wrote of faith (faith without works is dead) tells us that wisdom is also revealed by our actions.
• How would you define wisdom? How do you know it when you see it?
• Why should we seek wisdom? How will wisdom make us better off?
• Is the degree of wisdom a person possesses necessarily in proportion to their level of intelligence?
Read on in our scripture for today and see what the writer tells us constitutes wisdom.
James 3:13-16 Do you want to be counted wise, to build a reputation for wisdom? Here’s what you do: Live well, live wisely, live humbly. It’s the way you live, not the way you talk, that counts. Mean-spirited ambition isn’t wisdom. Boasting that you are wise isn’t wisdom. Twisting the truth to make yourselves sound wise isn’t wisdom. It’s the furthest thing from wisdom—it’s animal cunning, devilish conniving. Whenever you’re trying to look better than others or get the better of others, things fall apart and everyone ends up at the others’ throats.
• What about a person would cause you to feel that they were wise and understanding? How do you see wisdom described above, what are some specific ways we might see wisdom demonstrated?
• How does your list and those identified in the scripture compare? Are there any above that you question about or disagree with? Is there anything connected with faith or a relationship with God in them?
• He makes a broader point that trying to make ourselves look good ends up causing lots of problems. Can you think of instances from the news of people who were devious, gathered recognition and wealth, and in the end hurt themselves and others? This can also happen in little ways as when we get caught in a lie – have you witnessed events that make the point?
In considering the first scripture we looked at what could be some generally accepted descriptions of wisdom, now we read about real wisdom.
17-18 Real wisdom, God’s wisdom, begins with a holy life and is characterized by getting along with others. It is gentle and reasonable, overflowing with mercy and blessings, not hot one day and cold the next, not two-faced. You can develop a healthy, robust community that lives right with God and enjoy its results only if you do the hard work of getting along with each other, treating each other with dignity and honor.
• Where does wisdom begin and what comes from it? What are some characteristics of real wisdom?
• Have you seen this kind of wisdom? What are some examples of people you think had real wisdom?
• The focus of living wisely is developing healthy relationships. Is it always easy to do this with someone with whom you have a loving relationship? Where does wisdom come into play in maintaining relationships and what should our faith bring as a resource for maintaining them?
• But this wisdom is to apply to all of our relationships in the community, even with some whom we may not feel a personal connection. What wisdom have you accumulated about maintaining relationships with folks whom you do not relate? What causes fractures? Has your faith played a role in overcoming issues that cause fractures in these types of relationships?
• But how does our faith bring wisdom, where should we turn to find it? Some scripture from Hosea for contemplation:
Hosea 14:9 If you want to live well,
make sure you understand all of this.
If you know what’s good for you,
you’ll learn this inside and out.
God’s paths get you where you want to go.
Right-living people walk them easily;
wrong-living people are always tripping and stumbling
• What are some resources for identifying God’s path in any given situation? Are the paths always easy to find especially when our emotions are involved? Have you ever been involved in a relationship crisis when you allowed your personal hurts overcome any desire to find an equitable resolution? How about the opposite, when you found a way to peace and overcame those urges? What made the difference? Was any wisdom involved?
Some last thoughts on what happens in the absense of wisdom:
4:1-2 Where do you think all these appalling wars and quarrels come from? Do you think they just happen? Think again. They come about because you want your own way, and fight for it deep inside yourselves. You lust for what you don’t have and are willing to kill to get it. You want what isn’t yours and will risk violence to get your hands on it.
2-3 You wouldn’t think of just asking God for it, would you? And why not? Because you know you’d be asking for what you have no right to. You’re spoiled children, each wanting your own way.
• You might find this scripture offensive and feel that it does not apply to you but where in the news and throughout history have we seen the truth of these words? Do these words reach down to some of the basic causes for wars, crime and violence?
• But on the other hand can they also apply in diminished strength to the polarized society we seem to find ourselves in today, the unhealthy political climate, and the incendiary rhetoric? What wisdom do you have for bringing peace and community to our body politic? What must happen for us to move forward on God’s path?
• How would you sum up what you have learned about wisdom from James?
Closing Litany
The revelation of GOD is whole
and pulls our lives together.
The signposts of GOD are clear
and point out the right road.
The life-maps of GOD are right,
showing the way to joy.
The directions of GOD are plain
and easy on the eyes.
God’s Word is better than a diamond,
better than a diamond set between emeralds.
Amen
Next Week’s Scriptures: Job 1:1; 2:1-10 or Genesis 2:18-24, Psalm 26 or Psalm 8, Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12, Mark 10:2-16
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