WEBVTT

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 Do you consider yourself to be a wise person?

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 That's how I began the message last week.

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 And it's important that we consider that again today.

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 Because that's the question that James begins this section of Scripture,

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 chapter 3, verse 13.

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 He's asking the question,

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 Who is wise and understanding among you?

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 But he's not looking for an answer in words.

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 He is looking for us to respond by pointing to our life,

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 pointing to our works.

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 Look at it.

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 James chapter 3, verse 13.

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 Who is wise and understanding among you?

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 By his good conduct, let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.

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 Look on the screen and notice that in the NIV translation.

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 Who is wise and understanding among you?

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 Let them show it by their good life,

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 by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.

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 You hear what James is saying.

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 The truly wise person,

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 as God would consider wise,

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 is the person whose life is characterized by

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 good works

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 done in humility.

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 Now I think it's always important

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 in a setting like this,

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 in a Sunday school class,

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 in a sermon,

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 when you talk about good works,

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 to explain,

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 because so many people think

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 the way you're right with God,

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 the way that you go to heaven when you die,

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 is by doing certain things,

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 doing good works.

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 And if you do enough good works

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 to outweigh the bad works,

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 then you'll be right with God now and forevermore.

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 Well, that's not true.

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 That is our just

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 faulty human logic

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 and wisdom thinking that way.

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 We have already studied

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 in the book of James

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 how he strongly

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 stresses

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 that real Christian faith,

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 real saving faith,

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 is not just something we profess,

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 but it's something that we live out.

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 Here's how he said it in chapter 1, verse 22.

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 But be doers of the word

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 and not hearers only,

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 deceiving yourselves.

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 See, if you think

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 exposing yourself to the word of God

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 in a place like this,

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 in a service like this,

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 or even in your own Bible reading,

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 just knowing it,

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 hearing it,

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 but not with God's help

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 obeying it

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 because you want to obey it,

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 you're deceiving yourself.

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 He goes on in chapter 2

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 to talk about the importance of

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 real faith will be seen in our works,

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 and he completes that

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 section in chapter 2, verse 26.

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 He says,

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 For as the body apart from the spirit

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 is dead,

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 so also faith apart from works

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 is dead.

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 So I want you just to be clear about that.

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 As now James is pointing out,

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 that Christians who have a God-given wisdom

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 will show it

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 by the humble way they go about

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 doing things that serve other people,

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 that please God.

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 True Christian good works.

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 Now, he goes on in verses 14 through 18

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 to point out there's actually

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 two kinds of wisdom

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 at work in people's lives.

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 He's contrasting

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 what we're going to call

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 earthly wisdom

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 versus heavenly wisdom,

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 or you can refer to it as

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 human wisdom

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 versus God-given wisdom.

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 Look at how he describes this.

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 Verse 14.

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 But if you have bitter jealousy

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 and selfish ambition in your hearts,

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 do not boast

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 and be false to the truth.

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 This is not the wisdom

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 that comes down from above,

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 but is earthly,

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 unspiritual,

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 demonic.

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 For where jealousy

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 and selfish ambition exist,

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 there will be disorder

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 and every vile

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 or evil practice.

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 But the wisdom from above

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 is first pure,

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 then peaceable,

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 gentle,

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 open to reason,

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 full of mercy

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 and good fruits,

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 impartial

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 and sincere.

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 And a harvest of righteousness

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 is sown in peace

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 by those who make peace.

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 after reading that,

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 which kind of wisdom

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 do you demonstrate

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 most of the time?

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 Now sometimes we just operate

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 according to this human wisdom,

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 just our own best thinking,

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 and it comes out

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 in some selfishness.

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 It comes out

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 in causing problems

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 with people

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 maybe in our home

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 or at work.

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 But just overall,

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 as you live your life,

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 in light of what James says,

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 do you live according

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 to just earthly human wisdom?

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 Or do you demonstrate

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 that God has given you

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 His wisdom

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 and you really seek

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 to be obedient to Him

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 in the way you deal

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 with people

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 and situations

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 most of the time?

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 Well, to help us really

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 be able to answer that,

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 let's look closely

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 at what James says.

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 Let's look first today

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 at earthly wisdom.

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 We're going to come back

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 next week

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 and look at

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 the heavenly wisdom.

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 First,

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 earthly wisdom,

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 we're going to define it

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 this way,

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 is man's ability

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 to discern

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 and judge correctly

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 as to what he thinks

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 is true or right.

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 Now I'm taking that

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 from the dictionary definition

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 I gave you last week

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 of wisdom.

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 Wisdom, last week we saw,

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 is the power of discerning

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 and judging correctly

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 as to what is true

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 or right.

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 Now think about it.

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 The world,

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 in general,

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 as seen in a dictionary,

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 thinks of wisdom

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 as being able to judge,

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 being able to discern

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 about what's true or right.

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 But in the world's way

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 of looking at things,

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 God's not a part

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 of that equation.

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 And so that's why

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 we can define

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 earthly wisdom

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 as our ability,

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 human ability,

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 man's ability

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 to discern

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 and judge correctly

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 as to what he thinks

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 is true

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 or right.

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 Now we looked last week

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 at earthly wisdom

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 or human wisdom,

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 you can call it either one,

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 in great detail.

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 I want to quickly review.

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 We saw that human wisdom

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 is possible

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 in a positive sense

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 because we are created

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 in the image of God.

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 It's a part of our

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 God-given abilities,

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 being like him,

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 to have a certain degree

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 of wisdom.

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 It's also a part

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 of God's common grace.

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 God's common grace

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 is the undeserved favor

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 that he shows to everybody.

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 He just chooses to do that.

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 Jesus described it like this.

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 God chooses to send rain

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 on the good

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 as well as the evil.

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 The good farmers,

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 the faithful,

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 God-fearing farmers,

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 as well as the atheist farmers,

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 they benefit from God's

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 good weather.

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 It's part of his common grace,

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 Jesus said.

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 Human wisdom is possible,

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 but human wisdom

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 is limited

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 because we do not know

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 nor can we fully understand

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 all the facts

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 in a given situation,

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 but God can.

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 God has perfect knowledge

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 and understanding

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 of all things

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 and we lack that knowledge

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 because we're not God.

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 So human wisdom is possible,

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 but it's limited.

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 But there's more bad news

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 about it.

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 Human wisdom

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 is defective

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 because of the fall.

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 Adam and Eve's sin,

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 it resulted in the corruption

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 of every aspect of creation.

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 Our God-given abilities

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 as a result of being created

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 in his image,

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 they were not abolished

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 by the fall,

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 they were certainly corrupted.

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 We, we, we, we,

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 our wisdom today,

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 we're using this

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 as our, our, our point.

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 Our wisdom today

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 is defective

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 because of the fall.

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 I want you to think

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 about it like this.

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 Since Adam and Eve sinned,

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 every person

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 comes into this world,

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 born into this world

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 with a sinful nature

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 that makes us

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 naturally focus

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 on doing our will

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 instead of God's will.

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 The way we're born

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 with this sinful nature,

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 we're more concerned

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 about doing what I want to do

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 really than what anybody else

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 wants us to do.

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 And you see it

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 in little children

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 all the way up.

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 We see it in our own lives.

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 Left alone,

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 we will use

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 our God-given qualities

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 like wisdom

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 in basically selfish,

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 worldly,

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 and even ungodly ways.

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 We're going to come to that

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 in a little bit.

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 That's because

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 earthly human wisdom

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 seeks its knowledge

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 and understanding

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 from every source

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 you can find in this world

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 except God

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 and His Word.

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 That's what James

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 wants us to understand.

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 Earthly wisdom,

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 that which is not from above.

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 Human wisdom.

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 There's a certain amount

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 of it that's,

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 a certain way to look at it

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 that's good,

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 that's positive.

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 But the problem

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 with human wisdom

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 is that

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 we take

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 what we can learn,

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 we take

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 our experience,

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 and we just figure things out

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 based on that,

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 and we don't even consider

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 what God's Word says.

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 We don't seek

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 His help

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 in trying to understand

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 something.

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 Let me give you an example.

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 Before we look at all

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 the negative things

00:11:42.019 --> 00:11:42.759
 James has to say

00:11:42.759 --> 00:11:43.659
 about earthly wisdom,

00:11:45.659 --> 00:11:46.799
 remember last week

00:11:46.799 --> 00:11:47.799
 that because of God's

00:11:47.799 --> 00:11:48.720
 common grace,

00:11:48.720 --> 00:11:52.259
 there are benefits

00:11:52.259 --> 00:11:54.519
 to human wisdom.

00:11:55.600 --> 00:11:57.000
 We all benefit

00:11:57.000 --> 00:12:01.100
 from natural human wisdom

00:12:01.100 --> 00:12:02.059
 that God has given

00:12:02.059 --> 00:12:02.659
 to people.

00:12:04.039 --> 00:12:04.939
 That's how cars

00:12:04.939 --> 00:12:05.519
 got invented

00:12:05.519 --> 00:12:06.559
 that we drove here today.

00:12:07.519 --> 00:12:08.659
 That's why we're in

00:12:08.659 --> 00:12:10.200
 a climate-controlled building.

00:12:11.080 --> 00:12:11.759
 Somebody was able

00:12:11.759 --> 00:12:12.919
 to figure all this out.

00:12:12.919 --> 00:12:15.419
 So we are all

00:12:15.419 --> 00:12:16.039
 beneficiaries

00:12:16.039 --> 00:12:17.980
 of God's common grace

00:12:17.980 --> 00:12:19.919
 and God's common wisdom.

00:12:19.919 --> 00:12:22.339
 I want to give you

00:12:22.339 --> 00:12:22.879
 an example

00:12:22.879 --> 00:12:24.939
 of the problem.

00:12:26.399 --> 00:12:28.019
 Many non-Christians

00:12:28.019 --> 00:12:30.439
 are wise financial managers.

00:12:32.240 --> 00:12:32.959
 I mean,

00:12:33.000 --> 00:12:33.659
 they know how to live

00:12:33.659 --> 00:12:34.579
 within their means.

00:12:35.699 --> 00:12:37.159
 They know that it's good

00:12:37.159 --> 00:12:38.279
 to avoid debt

00:12:38.279 --> 00:12:39.679
 and save money.

00:12:41.059 --> 00:12:41.759
 There are many

00:12:41.759 --> 00:12:42.699
 unbelievers,

00:12:43.159 --> 00:12:43.939
 atheists even,

00:12:44.799 --> 00:12:45.620
 who can provide

00:12:45.620 --> 00:12:46.799
 wise counsel

00:12:46.799 --> 00:12:48.000
 for how you

00:12:48.000 --> 00:12:49.899
 can manage your money

00:12:49.899 --> 00:12:51.100
 in the best possible way.

00:12:52.699 --> 00:12:53.919
 But someone like this

00:12:53.919 --> 00:12:54.819
 who only has

00:12:54.819 --> 00:12:56.220
 earthly wisdom,

00:12:57.120 --> 00:12:58.059
 human wisdom,

00:12:59.059 --> 00:12:59.959
 they're not going

00:12:59.959 --> 00:13:01.039
 to lead us

00:13:01.039 --> 00:13:02.519
 or teach us

00:13:02.519 --> 00:13:03.459
 to acknowledge

00:13:03.459 --> 00:13:05.360
 all that we have

00:13:05.360 --> 00:13:06.480
 comes from God.

00:13:07.939 --> 00:13:08.980
 God gives us

00:13:08.980 --> 00:13:09.720
 the ability

00:13:09.720 --> 00:13:11.419
 to work and make money.

00:13:11.539 --> 00:13:12.079
 God gives us

00:13:12.079 --> 00:13:12.720
 the opportunity

00:13:12.720 --> 00:13:13.539
 to do that.

00:13:14.340 --> 00:13:15.039
 And they certainly

00:13:15.039 --> 00:13:15.840
 won't teach us

00:13:15.840 --> 00:13:16.919
 to give tithes

00:13:16.919 --> 00:13:17.659
 and offerings

00:13:17.659 --> 00:13:18.319
 to God

00:13:18.319 --> 00:13:20.360
 or to seek

00:13:20.360 --> 00:13:21.399
 to honor God

00:13:21.399 --> 00:13:23.479
 in what we do

00:13:23.479 --> 00:13:24.779
 with all of our resources.

00:13:26.379 --> 00:13:27.379
 People with only

00:13:27.379 --> 00:13:28.339
 earthly wisdom,

00:13:28.799 --> 00:13:30.419
 they'll tell you,

00:13:30.719 --> 00:13:32.159
 you just take care

00:13:32.159 --> 00:13:33.079
 of your stuff,

00:13:34.079 --> 00:13:35.219
 manage your resources

00:13:35.219 --> 00:13:35.639
 well,

00:13:35.839 --> 00:13:36.779
 take care of yourself,

00:13:36.979 --> 00:13:37.559
 take care of your

00:13:37.559 --> 00:13:38.459
 immediate family,

00:13:38.459 --> 00:13:40.799
 and just do what you

00:13:40.799 --> 00:13:41.219
 want to do

00:13:41.219 --> 00:13:41.919
 with your money.

00:13:41.919 --> 00:13:44.599
 earthly wisdom.

00:13:45.279 --> 00:13:46.399
 It can be very

00:13:46.399 --> 00:13:47.659
 helpful at times.

00:13:49.120 --> 00:13:50.419
 But here's the whole

00:13:50.419 --> 00:13:51.360
 point of what James

00:13:51.360 --> 00:13:51.979
 is trying to get us

00:13:51.979 --> 00:13:52.500
 to understand.

00:13:53.779 --> 00:13:54.679
 Earthly wisdom

00:13:54.679 --> 00:13:55.959
 is not sufficient

00:13:55.959 --> 00:13:58.219
 to show us

00:13:58.219 --> 00:13:59.279
 how to live

00:13:59.279 --> 00:13:59.679
 in a way

00:13:59.679 --> 00:14:00.799
 that honors God,

00:14:01.799 --> 00:14:03.039
 that will serve

00:14:03.039 --> 00:14:04.039
 His purpose.

00:14:05.919 --> 00:14:06.419
 Earthly wisdom

00:14:06.419 --> 00:14:06.899
 is not even going

00:14:06.899 --> 00:14:07.199
 to tell us

00:14:07.199 --> 00:14:07.919
 how to live

00:14:07.919 --> 00:14:09.360
 and help

00:14:09.360 --> 00:14:09.939
 and serve

00:14:09.939 --> 00:14:11.519
 people around us

00:14:11.519 --> 00:14:12.519
 that God wants us

00:14:12.519 --> 00:14:13.019
 to help

00:14:13.019 --> 00:14:14.740
 and serve.

00:14:16.240 --> 00:14:16.539
 Now,

00:14:17.199 --> 00:14:19.799
 if we're Christians,

00:14:21.899 --> 00:14:23.240
 we are more

00:14:23.240 --> 00:14:23.799
 concerned

00:14:23.799 --> 00:14:26.599
 about things

00:14:26.599 --> 00:14:27.799
 than just what

00:14:27.799 --> 00:14:28.879
 works best for me.

00:14:29.879 --> 00:14:30.620
 Aren't we?

00:14:31.579 --> 00:14:31.839
 I mean,

00:14:31.879 --> 00:14:32.379
 if we really are

00:14:32.379 --> 00:14:33.000
 Christians,

00:14:33.959 --> 00:14:34.719
 that God has

00:14:34.720 --> 00:14:35.840
 put His Spirit

00:14:35.840 --> 00:14:36.620
 in us,

00:14:37.420 --> 00:14:39.180
 we have a desire

00:14:39.180 --> 00:14:41.019
 to really

00:14:41.019 --> 00:14:41.500
 and truly

00:14:41.500 --> 00:14:43.060
 know what

00:14:43.060 --> 00:14:43.800
 pleases Him

00:14:43.800 --> 00:14:45.879
 and do what

00:14:45.879 --> 00:14:46.560
 pleases Him.

00:14:47.840 --> 00:14:48.040
 See,

00:14:48.120 --> 00:14:49.060
 Paul talks about it

00:14:49.060 --> 00:14:49.519
 in the second

00:14:49.519 --> 00:14:50.700
 chapter of Philippians

00:14:50.700 --> 00:14:52.100
 that God works

00:14:52.100 --> 00:14:53.019
 in all of His

00:14:53.019 --> 00:14:53.440
 people,

00:14:53.540 --> 00:14:54.440
 all of His children

00:14:54.440 --> 00:14:55.680
 to cause us

00:14:55.680 --> 00:14:56.740
 to will

00:14:56.740 --> 00:14:57.700
 and to work

00:14:57.700 --> 00:14:58.740
 for His good pleasure.

00:15:00.240 --> 00:15:01.100
 And the only way

00:15:01.100 --> 00:15:01.600
 we're going to know

00:15:01.600 --> 00:15:02.300
 how to work

00:15:02.300 --> 00:15:02.820
 and will

00:15:02.820 --> 00:15:03.720
 and work

00:15:03.720 --> 00:15:04.420
 to His good pleasure

00:15:04.419 --> 00:15:06.019
 is if we have

00:15:06.019 --> 00:15:07.419
 His

00:15:07.419 --> 00:15:08.459
 God-given

00:15:08.459 --> 00:15:09.399
 wisdom.

00:15:10.740 --> 00:15:11.000
 So,

00:15:11.139 --> 00:15:11.360
 now,

00:15:12.139 --> 00:15:12.639
 let's look at

00:15:12.639 --> 00:15:13.620
 what James says,

00:15:13.719 --> 00:15:14.919
 how he explains

00:15:14.919 --> 00:15:16.599
 the problems

00:15:16.599 --> 00:15:17.379
 with just

00:15:17.379 --> 00:15:18.319
 earthly wisdom.

00:15:18.639 --> 00:15:19.199
 Number one,

00:15:19.299 --> 00:15:20.459
 the self-centeredness

00:15:20.459 --> 00:15:21.339
 of earthly wisdom.

00:15:21.659 --> 00:15:23.139
 That's in verse 14.

00:15:23.439 --> 00:15:24.439
 Look back at it again.

00:15:24.439 --> 00:15:26.179
 But if you have

00:15:26.179 --> 00:15:27.159
 bitter jealousy

00:15:27.159 --> 00:15:28.919
 and selfish ambition

00:15:28.919 --> 00:15:29.679
 in your hearts,

00:15:30.480 --> 00:15:31.740
 do not boast

00:15:31.740 --> 00:15:33.639
 and be false

00:15:33.639 --> 00:15:33.659
 and be false

00:15:33.659 --> 00:15:34.659
 to the truth.

00:15:36.659 --> 00:15:37.899
 One way to spot

00:15:37.899 --> 00:15:38.639
 someone who

00:15:38.639 --> 00:15:40.120
 lives by earthly

00:15:40.120 --> 00:15:40.840
 wisdom

00:15:40.840 --> 00:15:42.659
 is by something

00:15:42.659 --> 00:15:44.120
 like bitter jealousy

00:15:44.120 --> 00:15:44.720
 in them,

00:15:45.580 --> 00:15:46.960
 selfish ambition.

00:15:48.279 --> 00:15:49.000
 Bitter jealousy

00:15:49.000 --> 00:15:49.879
 describes someone

00:15:49.879 --> 00:15:50.960
 who cannot see

00:15:50.960 --> 00:15:52.580
 someone else

00:15:52.580 --> 00:15:53.320
 in a place

00:15:53.320 --> 00:15:55.060
 of influence

00:15:55.059 --> 00:15:58.079
 or in a better

00:15:58.079 --> 00:15:59.439
 place

00:15:59.439 --> 00:16:01.739
 than them.

00:16:01.739 --> 00:16:04.579
 A person with

00:16:04.579 --> 00:16:05.500
 bitter jealousy

00:16:05.500 --> 00:16:07.379
 resents

00:16:07.379 --> 00:16:09.779
 when another person

00:16:09.779 --> 00:16:10.759
 has something

00:16:10.759 --> 00:16:11.719
 they think

00:16:11.719 --> 00:16:12.679
 they should have.

00:16:13.719 --> 00:16:14.799
 Selfish ambition

00:16:14.799 --> 00:16:15.579
 describes someone

00:16:15.579 --> 00:16:16.500
 who is determined

00:16:16.500 --> 00:16:17.500
 to get what they want

00:16:17.500 --> 00:16:18.339
 no matter what

00:16:18.339 --> 00:16:19.959
 or who gets hurt.

00:16:19.960 --> 00:16:22.540
 Now in this context,

00:16:22.680 --> 00:16:23.700
 James is most likely

00:16:23.700 --> 00:16:25.620
 describing church members

00:16:25.620 --> 00:16:28.100
 who are jealous

00:16:28.100 --> 00:16:29.120
 of teachers

00:16:29.120 --> 00:16:31.960
 and leaders

00:16:31.960 --> 00:16:32.860
 in the church

00:16:32.860 --> 00:16:34.980
 and what they're

00:16:34.980 --> 00:16:35.600
 thinking is,

00:16:35.740 --> 00:16:36.780
 I should have been

00:16:36.780 --> 00:16:37.480
 that teacher.

00:16:38.480 --> 00:16:39.680
 I should have been

00:16:39.680 --> 00:16:41.060
 that leader.

00:16:41.660 --> 00:16:42.519
 They resent

00:16:42.519 --> 00:16:43.379
 who's there.

00:16:44.800 --> 00:16:45.620
 Now the reason

00:16:45.620 --> 00:16:46.560
 we get that idea

00:16:46.560 --> 00:16:47.340
 is what James says

00:16:47.340 --> 00:16:48.060
 in chapter 3

00:16:48.060 --> 00:16:49.139
 verses 1 through 12.

00:16:49.139 --> 00:16:50.279
 The verses above

00:16:50.279 --> 00:16:51.500
 where we're reading now.

00:16:52.500 --> 00:16:53.360
 James has addressed

00:16:53.360 --> 00:16:53.939
 the issue

00:16:53.939 --> 00:16:54.779
 not many of you

00:16:54.779 --> 00:16:55.720
 should become teachers.

00:16:56.279 --> 00:16:57.000
 Teachers are going

00:16:57.000 --> 00:16:57.379
 to incur

00:16:57.379 --> 00:16:58.419
 a stricter judgment

00:16:58.419 --> 00:16:59.240
 and you better

00:16:59.240 --> 00:17:00.600
 watch what you say.

00:17:01.399 --> 00:17:02.100
 You better guard

00:17:02.100 --> 00:17:02.840
 your tongue.

00:17:04.279 --> 00:17:04.960
 There's problems

00:17:04.960 --> 00:17:05.720
 in the church

00:17:05.720 --> 00:17:06.579
 that come out

00:17:06.579 --> 00:17:07.599
 throughout this letter

00:17:07.599 --> 00:17:09.799
 and there's people

00:17:09.799 --> 00:17:10.480
 in churches

00:17:10.480 --> 00:17:11.460
 that he's writing to

00:17:11.460 --> 00:17:13.539
 that they're just

00:17:13.539 --> 00:17:15.400
 they're bitter,

00:17:15.740 --> 00:17:16.539
 they're jealous.

00:17:17.359 --> 00:17:17.980
 All they're concerned

00:17:17.980 --> 00:17:18.920
 about is themselves.

00:17:18.920 --> 00:17:20.200
 getting what they want,

00:17:20.320 --> 00:17:20.880
 what they think

00:17:20.880 --> 00:17:21.400
 they deserve

00:17:21.400 --> 00:17:22.180
 and they totally

00:17:22.180 --> 00:17:22.960
 resent

00:17:22.960 --> 00:17:25.700
 those who have

00:17:25.700 --> 00:17:27.620
 somehow or another

00:17:27.620 --> 00:17:29.840
 got what they want

00:17:29.840 --> 00:17:30.779
 or been put in a place

00:17:30.779 --> 00:17:31.220
 that they think

00:17:31.220 --> 00:17:32.039
 should be theirs.

00:17:33.640 --> 00:17:34.500
 Now evidently

00:17:34.500 --> 00:17:35.060
 some of these people

00:17:35.060 --> 00:17:36.200
 that James is addressing

00:17:36.200 --> 00:17:38.680
 thought they were right

00:17:38.680 --> 00:17:40.519
 in their attitude,

00:17:40.860 --> 00:17:42.000
 in their actions

00:17:42.000 --> 00:17:43.619
 and so that's why

00:17:43.619 --> 00:17:44.700
 James says what he did

00:17:44.700 --> 00:17:45.940
 in the rest of verse 14.

00:17:46.279 --> 00:17:46.539
 He says,

00:17:46.660 --> 00:17:47.460
 do not boast

00:17:47.460 --> 00:17:49.019
 and be false

00:17:49.019 --> 00:17:49.640
 to the truth.

00:17:50.160 --> 00:17:51.000
 Some people were

00:17:51.000 --> 00:17:52.380
 proudly opposing

00:17:52.380 --> 00:17:53.059
 the teachers

00:17:53.059 --> 00:17:54.059
 and leaders.

00:17:56.059 --> 00:17:56.940
 Well James wants them

00:17:56.940 --> 00:17:57.660
 to know that

00:17:57.660 --> 00:18:00.819
 their very actions

00:18:00.819 --> 00:18:03.160
 are a denial

00:18:03.160 --> 00:18:05.740
 about what the Bible

00:18:05.740 --> 00:18:06.299
 teaches about

00:18:06.299 --> 00:18:07.319
 godly wisdom

00:18:07.319 --> 00:18:09.740
 and Christian character.

00:18:10.740 --> 00:18:11.679
 By their selfish

00:18:11.679 --> 00:18:12.899
 and jealous behavior

00:18:12.899 --> 00:18:14.599
 they're demonstrating

00:18:14.599 --> 00:18:17.740
 God's not

00:18:17.740 --> 00:18:19.200
 guiding them.

00:18:20.659 --> 00:18:22.019
 Their so-called wisdom

00:18:22.019 --> 00:18:23.339
 doesn't come from him.

00:18:23.339 --> 00:18:26.679
 Now,

00:18:27.459 --> 00:18:28.279
 let's think about

00:18:28.279 --> 00:18:28.939
 this personally.

00:18:30.139 --> 00:18:31.039
 Do you ever

00:18:31.039 --> 00:18:32.139
 have a problem

00:18:32.139 --> 00:18:32.980
 with jealousy

00:18:32.980 --> 00:18:35.480
 or selfish ambition?

00:18:37.159 --> 00:18:38.879
 One way to test yourself

00:18:38.879 --> 00:18:39.659
 is to think about

00:18:39.659 --> 00:18:40.959
 how you respond

00:18:40.959 --> 00:18:42.679
 to somebody at work

00:18:42.679 --> 00:18:43.659
 or somebody at school

00:18:43.659 --> 00:18:45.039
 or somebody on your team

00:18:45.039 --> 00:18:46.740
 or in some organization.

00:18:47.339 --> 00:18:48.159
 How do you respond

00:18:48.159 --> 00:18:48.879
 to someone

00:18:48.879 --> 00:18:53.159
 who is recognized

00:18:53.160 --> 00:18:54.779
 or promoted

00:18:54.779 --> 00:18:57.700
 or honored

00:18:57.700 --> 00:19:01.880
 and you aren't?

00:19:03.940 --> 00:19:05.220
 Can you honestly,

00:19:05.560 --> 00:19:06.279
 sincerely

00:19:06.279 --> 00:19:08.240
 congratulate them?

00:19:09.860 --> 00:19:11.040
 Can you be happy

00:19:11.040 --> 00:19:11.720
 when somebody

00:19:11.720 --> 00:19:12.720
 gets a promotion

00:19:12.720 --> 00:19:14.720
 that you think

00:19:14.720 --> 00:19:15.820
 I should have got it?

00:19:17.200 --> 00:19:18.360
 Can you be happy

00:19:18.360 --> 00:19:19.060
 with somebody

00:19:19.060 --> 00:19:20.700
 who gets more playing time

00:19:20.700 --> 00:19:21.480
 on your team

00:19:21.480 --> 00:19:23.519
 but you think

00:19:23.519 --> 00:19:24.180
 you should be

00:19:24.180 --> 00:19:25.079
 playing ahead of them?

00:19:28.339 --> 00:19:28.960
 You see,

00:19:29.460 --> 00:19:31.299
 James is not talking

00:19:31.299 --> 00:19:31.980
 about what's right

00:19:31.980 --> 00:19:32.620
 or wrong here

00:19:32.620 --> 00:19:33.160
 in terms of what

00:19:33.160 --> 00:19:33.700
 you ought to get

00:19:33.700 --> 00:19:34.319
 or shouldn't get.

00:19:35.500 --> 00:19:36.240
 He's talking about

00:19:36.240 --> 00:19:37.279
 how you respond

00:19:37.279 --> 00:19:38.160
 to what is.

00:19:41.279 --> 00:19:42.000
 Are you able

00:19:42.000 --> 00:19:42.660
 to congratulate?

00:19:42.940 --> 00:19:43.400
 Are you able

00:19:43.400 --> 00:19:43.940
 to be happy

00:19:43.940 --> 00:19:44.700
 with people,

00:19:44.920 --> 00:19:45.599
 for people,

00:19:46.039 --> 00:19:46.660
 sincerely?

00:19:46.660 --> 00:19:49.420
 who have

00:19:49.420 --> 00:19:50.140
 what you wished

00:19:50.140 --> 00:19:50.700
 you had?

00:19:52.040 --> 00:19:53.460
 Or are you jealous?

00:19:55.000 --> 00:19:56.320
 Are you envious?

00:19:58.320 --> 00:20:01.380
 Are you so mad

00:20:01.380 --> 00:20:02.880
 and bitter

00:20:02.880 --> 00:20:06.019
 because you got passed over,

00:20:06.120 --> 00:20:07.019
 you got overlooked,

00:20:08.019 --> 00:20:09.860
 but you just can't treat

00:20:09.860 --> 00:20:10.660
 those other people

00:20:10.660 --> 00:20:12.120
 the right way?

00:20:12.119 --> 00:20:15.339
 worldly wisdom

00:20:15.339 --> 00:20:16.699
 thinking that kind

00:20:16.699 --> 00:20:17.119
 of way.

00:20:18.699 --> 00:20:19.519
 It'll make us

00:20:19.519 --> 00:20:20.119
 self-centered.

00:20:21.459 --> 00:20:22.219
 That's understandable

00:20:22.219 --> 00:20:22.979
 when you look next

00:20:22.979 --> 00:20:23.539
 at the nature

00:20:23.539 --> 00:20:24.399
 of earthly wisdom.

00:20:24.819 --> 00:20:25.119
 Let's look at

00:20:25.119 --> 00:20:26.259
 the ungodly nature

00:20:26.259 --> 00:20:26.839
 of earthly wisdom

00:20:26.839 --> 00:20:27.719
 in verse 15.

00:20:28.159 --> 00:20:28.579
 He says,

00:20:28.779 --> 00:20:30.539
 this is not the wisdom

00:20:30.539 --> 00:20:31.299
 that comes down

00:20:31.299 --> 00:20:32.039
 from above,

00:20:32.039 --> 00:20:34.239
 but is earthly,

00:20:34.579 --> 00:20:35.319
 unspiritual,

00:20:35.919 --> 00:20:36.419
 demonic.

00:20:37.519 --> 00:20:38.319
 Let's think about

00:20:38.319 --> 00:20:38.979
 what he's talking about.

00:20:39.059 --> 00:20:39.839
 Earthly wisdom,

00:20:40.019 --> 00:20:40.799
 human wisdom.

00:20:40.799 --> 00:20:42.460
 It is earthly.

00:20:43.980 --> 00:20:44.899
 He's talking about

00:20:44.899 --> 00:20:46.379
 a mindset

00:20:46.379 --> 00:20:47.119
 that refuses

00:20:47.119 --> 00:20:47.759
 to consider

00:20:47.759 --> 00:20:49.500
 anything heavenly.

00:20:50.579 --> 00:20:51.259
 In other words,

00:20:51.319 --> 00:20:52.700
 it ignores God.

00:20:53.980 --> 00:20:54.599
 He's talking about

00:20:54.599 --> 00:20:55.079
 someone

00:20:55.079 --> 00:20:56.720
 operates from

00:20:56.720 --> 00:20:57.819
 a wisdom

00:20:57.819 --> 00:20:58.680
 that just

00:20:58.680 --> 00:21:00.319
 considers the ways

00:21:00.319 --> 00:21:01.000
 of the world

00:21:01.000 --> 00:21:02.259
 and leaves God

00:21:02.259 --> 00:21:02.779
 out of it.

00:21:04.000 --> 00:21:04.960
 He says it's also

00:21:04.960 --> 00:21:05.799
 unspiritual.

00:21:06.339 --> 00:21:06.940
 He's talking about

00:21:06.940 --> 00:21:08.220
 natural wisdom

00:21:08.220 --> 00:21:09.079
 without any of

00:21:09.079 --> 00:21:10.399
 the supernatural wisdom

00:21:10.400 --> 00:21:12.700
 that God gives us

00:21:12.700 --> 00:21:13.580
 through His Spirit.

00:21:15.280 --> 00:21:16.259
 James is describing

00:21:16.259 --> 00:21:16.860
 someone

00:21:16.860 --> 00:21:18.820
 whose wisdom

00:21:18.820 --> 00:21:20.940
 comes from

00:21:20.940 --> 00:21:22.500
 just how

00:21:22.500 --> 00:21:23.440
 he thinks,

00:21:24.240 --> 00:21:25.300
 just how

00:21:25.300 --> 00:21:26.620
 she feels

00:21:26.620 --> 00:21:28.720
 based on what

00:21:28.720 --> 00:21:29.500
 they read,

00:21:29.759 --> 00:21:30.160
 based on what

00:21:30.160 --> 00:21:30.880
 they're told,

00:21:31.519 --> 00:21:31.920
 based on what

00:21:31.920 --> 00:21:32.720
 they're experienced.

00:21:32.980 --> 00:21:34.120
 It's unspiritual.

00:21:35.120 --> 00:21:35.900
 It's all about

00:21:35.900 --> 00:21:37.259
 how I think

00:21:37.259 --> 00:21:37.780
 and feel

00:21:37.780 --> 00:21:38.519
 with no regard

00:21:38.519 --> 00:21:39.559
 to what God

00:21:39.559 --> 00:21:40.220
 might be doing.

00:21:41.220 --> 00:21:41.819
 And then third

00:21:41.819 --> 00:21:42.519
 and worst,

00:21:43.639 --> 00:21:44.680
 it's demonic.

00:21:45.440 --> 00:21:46.200
 Earthly wisdom

00:21:46.200 --> 00:21:48.220
 comes from demons

00:21:48.220 --> 00:21:48.960
 whose leader

00:21:48.960 --> 00:21:49.559
 is Satan.

00:21:50.720 --> 00:21:50.940
 Now,

00:21:51.079 --> 00:21:51.559
 I want you to think

00:21:51.559 --> 00:21:51.920
 with me.

00:21:52.559 --> 00:21:53.579
 We can trace

00:21:53.579 --> 00:21:54.539
 that all the way

00:21:54.539 --> 00:21:55.779
 back to the fall

00:21:55.779 --> 00:21:57.680
 in the Garden of Eden.

00:21:57.680 --> 00:21:59.980
 when all of God's

00:21:59.980 --> 00:22:01.259
 attributes

00:22:01.259 --> 00:22:04.940
 that He has given

00:22:04.940 --> 00:22:05.720
 to human beings,

00:22:05.940 --> 00:22:06.539
 when all of the

00:22:06.539 --> 00:22:07.320
 God-given

00:22:07.320 --> 00:22:08.539
 human qualities

00:22:08.539 --> 00:22:09.820
 were corrupted

00:22:09.820 --> 00:22:11.920
 and became

00:22:11.920 --> 00:22:13.700
 defective.

00:22:14.480 --> 00:22:15.220
 That's where

00:22:15.220 --> 00:22:16.019
 human wisdom

00:22:16.019 --> 00:22:16.880
 became defective,

00:22:16.880 --> 00:22:17.640
 back in the Garden.

00:22:18.200 --> 00:22:18.759
 That's the kind

00:22:18.759 --> 00:22:19.200
 of wisdom

00:22:19.200 --> 00:22:19.980
 we inherit

00:22:19.980 --> 00:22:20.860
 naturally

00:22:20.860 --> 00:22:22.820
 from our parents.

00:22:22.819 --> 00:22:25.240
 Now,

00:22:26.220 --> 00:22:26.960
 in thinking about

00:22:26.960 --> 00:22:28.799
 this worldly wisdom,

00:22:28.960 --> 00:22:29.500
 it's earthly,

00:22:29.659 --> 00:22:30.539
 it's unspiritual,

00:22:30.679 --> 00:22:31.240
 it's demonic,

00:22:31.539 --> 00:22:32.159
 what would that

00:22:32.159 --> 00:22:33.139
 actually look like

00:22:33.139 --> 00:22:33.779
 in a person?

00:22:35.000 --> 00:22:36.639
 It may be surprising.

00:22:37.480 --> 00:22:38.359
 It can be found

00:22:38.359 --> 00:22:39.000
 in our lives

00:22:39.000 --> 00:22:39.619
 as Christians

00:22:39.619 --> 00:22:41.939
 just like it is

00:22:41.939 --> 00:22:43.259
 found in the leader

00:22:43.259 --> 00:22:44.439
 of the disciples,

00:22:46.000 --> 00:22:46.319
 Peter.

00:22:47.599 --> 00:22:48.519
 I want you to look

00:22:48.519 --> 00:22:48.919
 with me,

00:22:49.019 --> 00:22:49.720
 think with me.

00:22:50.679 --> 00:22:51.299
 In Matthew

00:22:51.299 --> 00:22:52.579
 chapter 16,

00:22:52.819 --> 00:22:54.480
 Jesus asked

00:22:54.480 --> 00:22:55.039
 His disciples,

00:22:55.359 --> 00:22:55.720
 who do people

00:22:55.720 --> 00:22:56.419
 say that I am?

00:22:57.700 --> 00:22:58.559
 And they

00:22:58.559 --> 00:22:59.740
 said several things

00:22:59.740 --> 00:23:00.240
 and finally,

00:23:00.359 --> 00:23:00.599
 Peter,

00:23:00.720 --> 00:23:01.399
 speaking on behalf

00:23:01.399 --> 00:23:02.139
 of all the 12,

00:23:02.919 --> 00:23:03.319
 he said,

00:23:03.439 --> 00:23:05.379
 you are the Christ,

00:23:05.559 --> 00:23:07.099
 you are the Son of God

00:23:07.099 --> 00:23:08.839
 and Jesus commended him.

00:23:09.240 --> 00:23:10.579
 God has shown you this.

00:23:10.759 --> 00:23:11.639
 You hadn't figured it out.

00:23:11.899 --> 00:23:13.179
 God's revealed this to you.

00:23:13.379 --> 00:23:14.899
 It was an affirming time

00:23:14.899 --> 00:23:16.980
 and Jesus,

00:23:17.480 --> 00:23:18.500
 on that occasion,

00:23:19.379 --> 00:23:20.039
 the Scripture says,

00:23:20.319 --> 00:23:21.259
 began to teach

00:23:21.259 --> 00:23:22.119
 those disciples

00:23:22.119 --> 00:23:23.659
 about why

00:23:23.659 --> 00:23:24.399
 He really came

00:23:24.399 --> 00:23:25.019
 into the world

00:23:25.019 --> 00:23:25.579
 which was going

00:23:25.579 --> 00:23:26.239
 to be to die

00:23:26.239 --> 00:23:27.039
 on the cross.

00:23:28.359 --> 00:23:29.199
 Now when Peter

00:23:29.199 --> 00:23:29.979
 heard that,

00:23:30.859 --> 00:23:31.959
 he just said,

00:23:32.079 --> 00:23:33.319
 you are the Son of God,

00:23:33.379 --> 00:23:34.099
 you are the Christ.

00:23:35.159 --> 00:23:35.859
 And Jesus said,

00:23:35.939 --> 00:23:36.459
 you are right,

00:23:36.579 --> 00:23:37.099
 that is true,

00:23:38.099 --> 00:23:39.199
 but I am going

00:23:39.199 --> 00:23:39.659
 to die.

00:23:40.059 --> 00:23:40.319
 I am going

00:23:40.319 --> 00:23:41.019
 to be crucified.

00:23:42.859 --> 00:23:44.399
 In Peter's mind,

00:23:46.059 --> 00:23:46.879
 that just couldn't be.

00:23:46.880 --> 00:23:47.580
 So here is how

00:23:47.580 --> 00:23:48.220
 he responded.

00:23:49.560 --> 00:23:50.740
 Peter took him,

00:23:50.840 --> 00:23:51.540
 that is Jesus,

00:23:51.780 --> 00:23:52.440
 aside,

00:23:53.180 --> 00:23:53.780
 and began

00:23:53.780 --> 00:23:55.920
 to rebuke him.

00:23:58.060 --> 00:23:58.620
 Never,

00:23:59.120 --> 00:23:59.500
 Lord,

00:23:59.580 --> 00:24:00.020
 he said,

00:24:00.660 --> 00:24:02.080
 this shall never

00:24:02.080 --> 00:24:03.420
 happen to you.

00:24:05.000 --> 00:24:05.260
 Now,

00:24:05.800 --> 00:24:06.640
 before you think,

00:24:07.180 --> 00:24:08.520
 how could Peter

00:24:08.520 --> 00:24:09.900
 rebuke,

00:24:10.120 --> 00:24:10.740
 correct,

00:24:10.980 --> 00:24:12.060
 reprimand Jesus,

00:24:12.740 --> 00:24:13.040
 and say,

00:24:13.100 --> 00:24:13.340
 you don't know

00:24:13.340 --> 00:24:14.140
 what you are talking about.

00:24:14.380 --> 00:24:15.300
 He can't be this way.

00:24:17.100 --> 00:24:18.420
 In Peter's mind,

00:24:19.420 --> 00:24:21.180
 what Jesus said

00:24:21.180 --> 00:24:22.680
 just did not make sense.

00:24:24.060 --> 00:24:25.820
 How could the Son of God,

00:24:25.880 --> 00:24:26.500
 the Christ,

00:24:26.600 --> 00:24:27.300
 the Messiah,

00:24:29.300 --> 00:24:30.460
 be crucified?

00:24:32.600 --> 00:24:33.540
 Peter just thought,

00:24:33.840 --> 00:24:35.400
 this must be a long day.

00:24:35.520 --> 00:24:36.500
 Jesus is confused,

00:24:36.780 --> 00:24:37.220
 and so he is going

00:24:37.220 --> 00:24:38.000
 to correct Jesus.

00:24:38.140 --> 00:24:38.960
 This shall never

00:24:38.960 --> 00:24:40.040
 happen to you,

00:24:40.080 --> 00:24:40.480
 he said.

00:24:42.520 --> 00:24:43.680
 But Jesus took this

00:24:43.680 --> 00:24:44.360
 very hard.

00:24:45.799 --> 00:24:46.880
 Look how he responded

00:24:46.880 --> 00:24:47.360
 to Peter.

00:24:48.400 --> 00:24:48.940
 He said,

00:24:49.480 --> 00:24:50.840
 get behind me,

00:24:51.440 --> 00:24:51.779
 Satan.

00:24:53.039 --> 00:24:54.580
 You are a hindrance

00:24:54.580 --> 00:24:55.799
 to me.

00:24:56.440 --> 00:24:57.200
 For you are not

00:24:57.200 --> 00:24:58.320
 setting your mind

00:24:58.320 --> 00:24:59.660
 on the things of God,

00:24:59.759 --> 00:25:00.980
 but on the things

00:25:00.980 --> 00:25:02.220
 of man.

00:25:04.220 --> 00:25:06.000
 Peter was so strongly

00:25:06.000 --> 00:25:10.160
 rebuked by Jesus

00:25:10.160 --> 00:25:13.440
 because Peter was

00:25:13.440 --> 00:25:14.180
 just thinking

00:25:14.180 --> 00:25:15.700
 naturally.

00:25:16.900 --> 00:25:18.000
 He was just thinking

00:25:18.000 --> 00:25:18.980
 and said

00:25:18.980 --> 00:25:19.759
 just what came

00:25:19.759 --> 00:25:20.340
 naturally.

00:25:20.640 --> 00:25:21.640
 He wanted to protect

00:25:21.640 --> 00:25:22.820
 Jesus and protect

00:25:22.820 --> 00:25:23.160
 himself.

00:25:23.660 --> 00:25:24.240
 He was thinking

00:25:24.240 --> 00:25:25.440
 about surviving.

00:25:27.759 --> 00:25:28.860
 That's earthly,

00:25:29.900 --> 00:25:30.779
 unspiritual,

00:25:31.680 --> 00:25:33.380
 demonic wisdom

00:25:33.380 --> 00:25:35.400
 in action.

00:25:35.400 --> 00:25:36.900
 See,

00:25:37.000 --> 00:25:37.460
 Peter was only

00:25:37.460 --> 00:25:38.160
 thinking about

00:25:38.160 --> 00:25:40.000
 what's going

00:25:40.000 --> 00:25:41.040
 to affect me

00:25:41.040 --> 00:25:42.400
 and my Lord

00:25:42.400 --> 00:25:43.620
 and my future.

00:25:45.220 --> 00:25:45.759
 Peter was not

00:25:45.759 --> 00:25:46.420
 thinking about

00:25:46.420 --> 00:25:48.440
 what is God's

00:25:48.440 --> 00:25:49.960
 plan in all this.

00:25:51.080 --> 00:25:51.840
 Peter really

00:25:51.840 --> 00:25:52.519
 wasn't thinking

00:25:52.519 --> 00:25:54.460
 what is the

00:25:54.460 --> 00:25:55.460
 Son of God

00:25:55.460 --> 00:25:56.820
 up to.

00:25:58.080 --> 00:25:58.840
 He just

00:25:58.840 --> 00:25:59.820
 naturally

00:25:59.820 --> 00:26:01.240
 thought Jesus

00:26:01.240 --> 00:26:02.579
 is wrong.

00:26:05.720 --> 00:26:06.220
 Earthly

00:26:06.220 --> 00:26:06.799
 wisdom,

00:26:07.359 --> 00:26:08.380
 it is

00:26:08.380 --> 00:26:09.480
 ungodly

00:26:09.480 --> 00:26:10.620
 in nature.

00:26:11.559 --> 00:26:11.819
 And then

00:26:11.819 --> 00:26:12.359
 thirdly,

00:26:12.799 --> 00:26:13.039
 why don't you

00:26:13.039 --> 00:26:13.359
 look at the

00:26:13.359 --> 00:26:14.319
 harmful effects

00:26:14.319 --> 00:26:14.779
 of earthly

00:26:14.779 --> 00:26:15.339
 wisdom in

00:26:15.339 --> 00:26:16.240
 verse 16.

00:26:17.359 --> 00:26:17.660
 He says,

00:26:17.759 --> 00:26:18.019
 for where

00:26:18.019 --> 00:26:18.660
 jealousy and

00:26:18.660 --> 00:26:19.359
 selfish ambition

00:26:19.359 --> 00:26:19.920
 exist,

00:26:20.740 --> 00:26:21.200
 there will be

00:26:21.200 --> 00:26:22.660
 disorder and

00:26:22.660 --> 00:26:23.420
 every vile

00:26:23.420 --> 00:26:24.140
 practice.

00:26:25.299 --> 00:26:26.000
 The world's

00:26:26.000 --> 00:26:26.339
 wisdom,

00:26:26.420 --> 00:26:26.900
 if that's all

00:26:26.900 --> 00:26:27.500
 there is,

00:26:28.539 --> 00:26:28.960
 people are

00:26:28.960 --> 00:26:29.200
 just doing

00:26:29.200 --> 00:26:30.000
 the best they

00:26:30.000 --> 00:26:31.039
 can do.

00:26:31.039 --> 00:26:31.480
 according to

00:26:31.480 --> 00:26:31.859
 the way they

00:26:31.859 --> 00:26:32.519
 think and

00:26:32.519 --> 00:26:33.039
 feel and

00:26:33.039 --> 00:26:33.359
 their own

00:26:33.359 --> 00:26:33.720
 personal

00:26:33.720 --> 00:26:34.299
 experiences.

00:26:35.759 --> 00:26:36.339
 The world's

00:26:36.339 --> 00:26:36.799
 wisdom will

00:26:36.799 --> 00:26:37.159
 lead to

00:26:37.159 --> 00:26:39.039
 chaos and

00:26:39.039 --> 00:26:39.480
 opens the

00:26:39.480 --> 00:26:40.119
 door to

00:26:40.119 --> 00:26:40.799
 all kinds

00:26:40.799 --> 00:26:41.420
 of evil.

00:26:43.099 --> 00:26:44.000
 The jealousy

00:26:44.000 --> 00:26:45.059
 and selfish

00:26:45.059 --> 00:26:45.779
 ambition of

00:26:45.779 --> 00:26:46.339
 some church

00:26:46.339 --> 00:26:46.819
 members that

00:26:46.819 --> 00:26:47.180
 James is

00:26:47.180 --> 00:26:47.779
 writing to

00:26:47.779 --> 00:26:49.759
 is causing

00:26:49.759 --> 00:26:50.599
 all kinds of

00:26:50.599 --> 00:26:51.599
 church conflict

00:26:51.599 --> 00:26:52.759
 that James

00:26:52.759 --> 00:26:54.799
 describes in

00:26:54.799 --> 00:26:55.359
 chapter 4

00:26:55.359 --> 00:26:55.799
 verses 1

00:26:55.799 --> 00:26:56.379
 through 5

00:26:56.379 --> 00:26:58.460
 and strongly

00:26:58.460 --> 00:26:59.740
 condemns them

00:26:59.740 --> 00:27:00.119
 for.

00:27:01.039 --> 00:27:03.240
 Here's what

00:27:03.240 --> 00:27:03.539
 I want you

00:27:03.539 --> 00:27:03.899
 to think.

00:27:05.279 --> 00:27:06.299
 We see

00:27:06.299 --> 00:27:07.079
 evidence of

00:27:07.079 --> 00:27:07.759
 such earthly

00:27:07.759 --> 00:27:09.019
 wisdom just

00:27:09.019 --> 00:27:09.519
 about everywhere

00:27:09.519 --> 00:27:10.079
 you turn

00:27:10.079 --> 00:27:10.480
 today.

00:27:11.480 --> 00:27:12.220
 Look at

00:27:12.220 --> 00:27:12.960
 Congress,

00:27:13.480 --> 00:27:15.480
 the leaders

00:27:15.480 --> 00:27:16.980
 of our

00:27:16.980 --> 00:27:17.460
 country.

00:27:19.440 --> 00:27:19.940
 Congress is

00:27:19.940 --> 00:27:20.579
 a picture of

00:27:20.579 --> 00:27:21.159
 disorder,

00:27:21.759 --> 00:27:22.839
 of conflict,

00:27:23.839 --> 00:27:24.019
 and

00:27:24.019 --> 00:27:25.059
 ineffectiveness.

00:27:25.059 --> 00:27:27.279
 can you

00:27:27.279 --> 00:27:28.059
 argue against

00:27:28.059 --> 00:27:28.339
 that?

00:27:29.220 --> 00:27:29.740
 Look at the

00:27:29.740 --> 00:27:30.480
 Supreme Court.

00:27:31.480 --> 00:27:32.139
 It is

00:27:32.139 --> 00:27:33.559
 legalizing every

00:27:33.559 --> 00:27:34.819
 kind of evil

00:27:34.819 --> 00:27:36.059
 practice today,

00:27:36.179 --> 00:27:36.779
 especially

00:27:36.779 --> 00:27:37.839
 sexual

00:27:37.839 --> 00:27:38.779
 perversion.

00:27:40.259 --> 00:27:41.159
 Look at

00:27:41.159 --> 00:27:42.159
 racial problems

00:27:42.159 --> 00:27:42.480
 in this

00:27:42.480 --> 00:27:42.819
 country.

00:27:44.240 --> 00:27:44.839
 Many of

00:27:44.839 --> 00:27:46.139
 those so-called

00:27:46.139 --> 00:27:46.899
 leaders who are

00:27:46.899 --> 00:27:47.700
 in the spotlight,

00:27:48.440 --> 00:27:49.079
 like Jesse

00:27:49.079 --> 00:27:49.679
 Jackson and

00:27:49.679 --> 00:27:50.440
 Al Sharpton,

00:27:50.440 --> 00:27:52.019
 they are

00:27:52.019 --> 00:27:52.660
 men who

00:27:52.660 --> 00:27:53.460
 operate

00:27:53.460 --> 00:27:55.440
 obviously

00:27:55.440 --> 00:27:57.220
 according to

00:27:57.220 --> 00:27:58.440
 earthly wisdom

00:27:58.440 --> 00:27:59.580
 because

00:27:59.580 --> 00:28:00.200
 everywhere they

00:28:00.200 --> 00:28:00.580
 go,

00:28:00.900 --> 00:28:01.519
 they cause

00:28:01.519 --> 00:28:02.640
 more disorder

00:28:02.640 --> 00:28:03.500
 and deeper

00:28:03.500 --> 00:28:04.200
 division

00:28:04.200 --> 00:28:06.559
 than existed

00:28:06.559 --> 00:28:07.059
 before they

00:28:07.059 --> 00:28:07.680
 arrived.

00:28:07.680 --> 00:28:11.680
 But I

00:28:11.680 --> 00:28:11.920
 want you

00:28:11.920 --> 00:28:12.120
 to

00:28:12.120 --> 00:28:14.080
 don't dwell

00:28:14.080 --> 00:28:14.700
 on Congress

00:28:14.700 --> 00:28:15.320
 and Supreme

00:28:15.320 --> 00:28:15.799
 Court

00:28:15.799 --> 00:28:17.600
 and these

00:28:17.600 --> 00:28:18.299
 other things.

00:28:19.880 --> 00:28:20.519
 Let's

00:28:20.519 --> 00:28:21.000
 bring it

00:28:21.000 --> 00:28:21.320
 closer.

00:28:22.180 --> 00:28:22.519
 Let's make

00:28:22.519 --> 00:28:23.060
 it personal.

00:28:25.060 --> 00:28:25.880
 What's the

00:28:25.880 --> 00:28:26.460
 environment?

00:28:27.220 --> 00:28:27.620
 What's

00:28:27.620 --> 00:28:28.080
 happening

00:28:28.080 --> 00:28:29.259
 in the

00:28:29.259 --> 00:28:29.920
 places where

00:28:29.920 --> 00:28:30.480
 you are

00:28:30.480 --> 00:28:31.140
 actively

00:28:31.140 --> 00:28:31.940
 involved?

00:28:32.580 --> 00:28:33.519
 Like your

00:28:33.519 --> 00:28:33.980
 home,

00:28:34.840 --> 00:28:35.940
 your school,

00:28:36.779 --> 00:28:37.660
 your team,

00:28:37.680 --> 00:28:39.560
 your workplace?

00:28:41.960 --> 00:28:42.779
 Think with

00:28:42.779 --> 00:28:43.080
 me.

00:28:43.640 --> 00:28:44.180
 Are good

00:28:44.180 --> 00:28:44.600
 things

00:28:44.600 --> 00:28:45.060
 happening?

00:28:45.400 --> 00:28:45.700
 And when I

00:28:45.700 --> 00:28:46.220
 use the word

00:28:46.220 --> 00:28:46.680
 good here,

00:28:46.820 --> 00:28:47.240
 I'm talking

00:28:47.240 --> 00:28:47.880
 about things

00:28:47.880 --> 00:28:48.180
 that would

00:28:48.180 --> 00:28:49.240
 actually please

00:28:49.240 --> 00:28:49.779
 God,

00:28:50.360 --> 00:28:51.920
 His definition

00:28:51.920 --> 00:28:52.560
 of goodness.

00:28:53.440 --> 00:28:54.299
 Are people

00:28:54.299 --> 00:28:55.000
 demonstrating

00:28:55.000 --> 00:28:55.880
 humility?

00:28:57.880 --> 00:28:58.880
 Are people

00:28:58.880 --> 00:28:59.240
 who call

00:28:59.240 --> 00:28:59.620
 themselves

00:28:59.620 --> 00:29:00.060
 Christians

00:29:00.060 --> 00:29:00.960
 actually living

00:29:00.960 --> 00:29:01.420
 like it?

00:29:01.460 --> 00:29:01.779
 You see

00:29:01.779 --> 00:29:02.240
 Christian

00:29:02.240 --> 00:29:02.700
 character

00:29:02.700 --> 00:29:03.560
 being displayed

00:29:03.560 --> 00:29:04.799
 in their

00:29:04.799 --> 00:29:05.259
 life.

00:29:06.580 --> 00:29:06.759
 Well,

00:29:06.779 --> 00:29:07.160
 if that's

00:29:07.160 --> 00:29:07.500
 true,

00:29:07.680 --> 00:29:10.799
 then somebody

00:29:10.799 --> 00:29:11.580
 is leading

00:29:11.580 --> 00:29:12.380
 the way

00:29:12.380 --> 00:29:13.820
 by the way

00:29:13.820 --> 00:29:14.900
 they exercise

00:29:14.900 --> 00:29:17.019
 godly

00:29:17.019 --> 00:29:17.560
 wisdom.

00:29:19.680 --> 00:29:20.320
 And if

00:29:20.320 --> 00:29:20.600
 that's the

00:29:20.600 --> 00:29:20.799
 case,

00:29:20.860 --> 00:29:21.100
 you need

00:29:21.100 --> 00:29:21.580
 to support

00:29:21.580 --> 00:29:21.759
 them.

00:29:22.960 --> 00:29:23.700
 You need

00:29:23.700 --> 00:29:24.320
 to encourage

00:29:24.320 --> 00:29:24.580
 them.

00:29:25.240 --> 00:29:25.560
 They may

00:29:25.560 --> 00:29:26.000
 not be doing

00:29:26.000 --> 00:29:26.500
 everything you

00:29:26.500 --> 00:29:27.160
 wish they

00:29:27.160 --> 00:29:27.740
 would do,

00:29:27.740 --> 00:29:29.560
 but something

00:29:29.560 --> 00:29:30.120
 good is

00:29:30.120 --> 00:29:31.519
 happening and

00:29:31.519 --> 00:29:31.920
 you need to

00:29:31.920 --> 00:29:33.320
 be one who

00:29:33.320 --> 00:29:34.259
 helps that

00:29:34.259 --> 00:29:34.759
 along.

00:29:35.480 --> 00:29:36.120
 If you're the

00:29:36.120 --> 00:29:36.759
 leader of all

00:29:36.759 --> 00:29:36.960
 that,

00:29:37.200 --> 00:29:37.980
 continue it,

00:29:38.119 --> 00:29:38.400
 there'll be

00:29:38.400 --> 00:29:38.740
 a lot of

00:29:38.740 --> 00:29:39.420
 opposition to

00:29:39.420 --> 00:29:39.619
 that.

00:29:39.819 --> 00:29:40.319
 If you truly

00:29:40.319 --> 00:29:41.259
 exercise godly

00:29:41.259 --> 00:29:41.759
 wisdom,

00:29:42.500 --> 00:29:43.079
 everybody's not

00:29:43.079 --> 00:29:43.619
 going to like

00:29:43.619 --> 00:29:43.859
 it.

00:29:45.599 --> 00:29:46.519
 But God

00:29:46.519 --> 00:29:47.759
 will be

00:29:47.759 --> 00:29:48.400
 faithful to

00:29:48.400 --> 00:29:48.779
 you.

00:29:49.720 --> 00:29:50.019
 You just

00:29:50.019 --> 00:29:50.400
 be faithful

00:29:50.400 --> 00:29:50.799
 to Him.

00:29:52.379 --> 00:29:53.140
 But if in

00:29:53.140 --> 00:29:53.819
 those places I

00:29:53.819 --> 00:29:54.640
 just described,

00:29:56.519 --> 00:29:57.680
 where you are,

00:29:59.039 --> 00:29:59.420
 if they're

00:29:59.420 --> 00:30:00.160
 characterized by

00:30:00.160 --> 00:30:01.000
 disorder and

00:30:01.000 --> 00:30:01.879
 evil practices,

00:30:01.880 --> 00:30:03.880
 people are

00:30:03.880 --> 00:30:05.000
 showing signs

00:30:05.000 --> 00:30:06.380
 of bitter

00:30:06.380 --> 00:30:08.500
 jealousy and

00:30:08.500 --> 00:30:09.840
 selfish ambition,

00:30:11.540 --> 00:30:11.920
 you need to

00:30:11.920 --> 00:30:12.380
 understand that

00:30:12.380 --> 00:30:13.280
 those people

00:30:13.280 --> 00:30:14.300
 who are in

00:30:14.300 --> 00:30:15.420
 charge are

00:30:15.420 --> 00:30:16.460
 not exercising

00:30:16.460 --> 00:30:17.220
 godly wisdom.

00:30:17.480 --> 00:30:17.840
 That's just

00:30:17.840 --> 00:30:18.520
 human wisdom

00:30:18.520 --> 00:30:18.880
 in action.

00:30:19.140 --> 00:30:19.540
 They may be

00:30:19.540 --> 00:30:20.240
 smart people.

00:30:21.460 --> 00:30:22.120
 They may be

00:30:22.120 --> 00:30:22.740
 doing a lot of

00:30:22.740 --> 00:30:24.320
 good things for

00:30:24.320 --> 00:30:26.020
 the company or

00:30:26.020 --> 00:30:26.880
 for themselves,

00:30:26.880 --> 00:30:29.500
 but if the

00:30:29.500 --> 00:30:30.220
 climate, the

00:30:30.220 --> 00:30:31.020
 environment is

00:30:31.020 --> 00:30:31.920
 one of a

00:30:31.920 --> 00:30:33.280
 lack of order,

00:30:34.200 --> 00:30:34.820
 a lack of

00:30:34.820 --> 00:30:36.060
 unity,

00:30:37.180 --> 00:30:37.960
 lack of

00:30:37.960 --> 00:30:38.580
 character,

00:30:40.500 --> 00:30:41.080
 something's

00:30:41.080 --> 00:30:41.420
 wrong.

00:30:43.260 --> 00:30:43.900
 And James

00:30:43.900 --> 00:30:44.720
 would tell us

00:30:44.720 --> 00:30:45.980
 there may be

00:30:45.980 --> 00:30:46.560
 many things

00:30:46.560 --> 00:30:47.820
 wrong, but

00:30:47.820 --> 00:30:48.180
 one of the

00:30:48.180 --> 00:30:48.840
 problems is

00:30:48.840 --> 00:30:49.760
 people who are

00:30:49.760 --> 00:30:50.800
 actually exerting

00:30:50.800 --> 00:30:51.300
 the most

00:30:51.300 --> 00:30:52.100
 influence,

00:30:53.300 --> 00:30:54.840
 they're not

00:30:54.840 --> 00:30:55.360
 using

00:30:55.359 --> 00:30:58.079
 godly wisdom.

00:30:59.559 --> 00:31:00.399
 And if that's

00:31:00.399 --> 00:31:01.019
 the case,

00:31:01.579 --> 00:31:02.379
 where you are

00:31:02.379 --> 00:31:02.899
 in that

00:31:02.899 --> 00:31:03.579
 environment,

00:31:04.779 --> 00:31:05.359
 something needs

00:31:05.359 --> 00:31:06.119
 to change.

00:31:07.179 --> 00:31:07.799
 Now, if you're

00:31:07.799 --> 00:31:08.299
 the leader,

00:31:08.399 --> 00:31:08.839
 the place to

00:31:08.839 --> 00:31:09.439
 begin is with

00:31:09.439 --> 00:31:09.779
 you.

00:31:11.619 --> 00:31:12.299
 What you need

00:31:12.299 --> 00:31:12.599
 to do is

00:31:12.599 --> 00:31:13.240
 confess to

00:31:13.240 --> 00:31:14.379
 God that

00:31:14.379 --> 00:31:14.719
 you've just

00:31:14.719 --> 00:31:15.539
 left Him out

00:31:15.539 --> 00:31:15.899
 of the whole

00:31:15.899 --> 00:31:16.619
 process.

00:31:17.759 --> 00:31:18.299
 You've been

00:31:18.299 --> 00:31:19.099
 exercising your

00:31:19.099 --> 00:31:20.179
 best effort

00:31:20.179 --> 00:31:21.059
 with your

00:31:21.059 --> 00:31:21.979
 human wisdom,

00:31:22.819 --> 00:31:23.159
 you've not

00:31:23.159 --> 00:31:23.639
 been seeking

00:31:23.639 --> 00:31:25.339
 His help.

00:31:25.359 --> 00:31:26.559
 His will.

00:31:27.379 --> 00:31:27.719
 You've not

00:31:27.719 --> 00:31:28.079
 been looking

00:31:28.079 --> 00:31:28.439
 to His

00:31:28.439 --> 00:31:28.959
 word.

00:31:30.779 --> 00:31:31.039
 And you

00:31:31.039 --> 00:31:31.539
 need to

00:31:31.539 --> 00:31:32.319
 confess that,

00:31:32.439 --> 00:31:32.959
 repent of it,

00:31:33.000 --> 00:31:33.419
 and ask God

00:31:33.419 --> 00:31:33.919
 to give you

00:31:33.919 --> 00:31:34.719
 wisdom, which

00:31:34.719 --> 00:31:35.299
 James in

00:31:35.299 --> 00:31:35.759
 chapter 1,

00:31:35.799 --> 00:31:36.439
 verse 5 says

00:31:36.439 --> 00:31:37.619
 God's ready,

00:31:37.959 --> 00:31:38.379
 willing, and

00:31:38.379 --> 00:31:38.919
 able to give

00:31:38.919 --> 00:31:39.519
 it to all who

00:31:39.519 --> 00:31:40.319
 ask Him in

00:31:40.319 --> 00:31:40.799
 faith.

00:31:43.240 --> 00:31:43.879
 Now, if you're

00:31:43.879 --> 00:31:44.639
 not the leader

00:31:44.639 --> 00:31:46.899
 in that

00:31:46.899 --> 00:31:47.399
 environment,

00:31:47.959 --> 00:31:49.259
 you need to

00:31:49.259 --> 00:31:49.939
 pray and ask

00:31:49.939 --> 00:31:50.599
 God to work

00:31:50.599 --> 00:31:50.899
 in your

00:31:50.899 --> 00:31:51.799
 situation to

00:31:51.799 --> 00:31:54.599
 somehow raise

00:31:54.599 --> 00:31:56.539
 up people who

00:31:56.539 --> 00:31:58.019
 will exert

00:31:58.019 --> 00:32:00.539
 godly wisdom

00:32:00.539 --> 00:32:03.099
 and pray that

00:32:03.099 --> 00:32:04.659
 somehow or

00:32:04.659 --> 00:32:05.119
 another God

00:32:05.119 --> 00:32:05.579
 will turn

00:32:05.579 --> 00:32:06.399
 things around.

00:32:07.259 --> 00:32:07.879
 Don't give

00:32:07.879 --> 00:32:08.259
 up.

00:32:10.480 --> 00:32:11.379
 James wants us

00:32:11.379 --> 00:32:11.980
 to understand

00:32:11.980 --> 00:32:16.219
 it's dangerous

00:32:16.219 --> 00:32:16.859
 to live in this

00:32:16.859 --> 00:32:19.039
 world and just

00:32:19.039 --> 00:32:19.579
 try to do the

00:32:19.579 --> 00:32:20.319
 best we can.

00:32:20.319 --> 00:32:22.439
 just do the

00:32:22.439 --> 00:32:23.119
 best we can

00:32:23.119 --> 00:32:23.379
 in the way

00:32:23.379 --> 00:32:23.960
 that we think,

00:32:24.059 --> 00:32:24.579
 things that we

00:32:24.579 --> 00:32:27.039
 read, things

00:32:27.039 --> 00:32:28.059
 that we feel,

00:32:28.200 --> 00:32:29.059
 go by our gut.

00:32:30.200 --> 00:32:30.819
 James is saying

00:32:30.819 --> 00:32:31.960
 it's not wise.

00:32:32.379 --> 00:32:33.079
 That's worldly

00:32:33.079 --> 00:32:33.359
 wisdom.

00:32:33.419 --> 00:32:33.980
 That's human

00:32:33.980 --> 00:32:34.319
 wisdom.

00:32:34.419 --> 00:32:35.000
 That's earthly

00:32:35.000 --> 00:32:35.539
 wisdom.

00:32:39.139 --> 00:32:39.899
 Specifically, he

00:32:39.899 --> 00:32:41.519
 says, that will

00:32:41.519 --> 00:32:42.259
 not work in the

00:32:42.259 --> 00:32:42.659
 church.

00:32:44.259 --> 00:32:45.379
 That cannot be the

00:32:45.379 --> 00:32:46.220
 mentality of

00:32:46.220 --> 00:32:47.240
 leaders, teachers,

00:32:47.240 --> 00:32:48.099
 or church

00:32:48.099 --> 00:32:48.579
 members.

00:32:50.799 --> 00:32:52.000
 It'll lead to

00:32:52.000 --> 00:32:52.880
 all kinds of

00:32:52.880 --> 00:32:53.819
 disunity and

00:32:53.819 --> 00:32:54.559
 problems.

00:32:55.660 --> 00:32:56.319
 God will not

00:32:56.319 --> 00:32:56.859
 bless.

00:32:59.279 --> 00:32:59.779
 But we need to

00:32:59.779 --> 00:33:00.120
 understand it

00:33:00.120 --> 00:33:00.519
 doesn't work

00:33:00.519 --> 00:33:00.940
 anywhere.

00:33:03.180 --> 00:33:04.079
 If you have any

00:33:04.079 --> 00:33:04.859
 doubts, just look

00:33:04.859 --> 00:33:05.400
 around.

00:33:06.880 --> 00:33:08.019
 It is not an

00:33:08.019 --> 00:33:08.960
 exaggeration to

00:33:08.960 --> 00:33:09.660
 say that most

00:33:09.660 --> 00:33:10.240
 homes,

00:33:10.620 --> 00:33:11.140
 communities,

00:33:11.599 --> 00:33:12.019
 governments,

00:33:12.440 --> 00:33:13.400
 and organizations

00:33:13.400 --> 00:33:14.599
 are not

00:33:14.599 --> 00:33:16.720
 characterized by

00:33:16.720 --> 00:33:17.140
 the things

00:33:17.140 --> 00:33:18.440
 James says

00:33:18.440 --> 00:33:19.079
 will happen

00:33:19.079 --> 00:33:19.680
 when there's

00:33:19.680 --> 00:33:20.539
 earthly wisdom,

00:33:20.680 --> 00:33:21.079
 when there's

00:33:21.079 --> 00:33:21.940
 godly wisdom

00:33:21.940 --> 00:33:23.319
 being exercised.

00:33:23.579 --> 00:33:24.160
 Things like

00:33:24.160 --> 00:33:26.339
 humility, peace,

00:33:26.799 --> 00:33:28.220
 purity, and

00:33:28.220 --> 00:33:29.299
 other qualities.

00:33:30.700 --> 00:33:30.960
 We're going to

00:33:30.960 --> 00:33:31.539
 look at that in

00:33:31.539 --> 00:33:32.620
 detail next week.

00:33:34.799 --> 00:33:35.700
 There's just too

00:33:35.700 --> 00:33:36.519
 much evidence

00:33:36.519 --> 00:33:38.420
 around about us,

00:33:38.680 --> 00:33:39.380
 in our

00:33:39.380 --> 00:33:39.940
 neighborhoods,

00:33:40.940 --> 00:33:43.019
 in our various

00:33:43.019 --> 00:33:43.980
 organizations,

00:33:45.220 --> 00:33:45.640
 of bitter

00:33:45.640 --> 00:33:46.259
 jealousy,

00:33:46.720 --> 00:33:48.480
 selfish ambition,

00:33:49.480 --> 00:33:50.700
 of selfish

00:33:50.700 --> 00:33:51.700
 ambition,

00:33:51.700 --> 00:33:52.100
 disorder,

00:33:53.100 --> 00:33:53.880
 and all kinds

00:33:53.880 --> 00:33:54.240
 of evil

00:33:54.240 --> 00:33:54.819
 practices.

00:33:56.620 --> 00:33:58.160
 That's why we,

00:33:58.579 --> 00:33:59.980
 not other

00:33:59.980 --> 00:34:01.559
 people, but

00:34:01.559 --> 00:34:02.420
 why we as

00:34:02.420 --> 00:34:03.100
 God's people,

00:34:04.100 --> 00:34:04.980
 we've got to

00:34:04.980 --> 00:34:05.980
 stop trying to

00:34:05.980 --> 00:34:07.480
 just do our

00:34:07.480 --> 00:34:10.300
 best and rely

00:34:10.300 --> 00:34:11.220
 on our own

00:34:11.220 --> 00:34:11.960
 good,

00:34:11.960 --> 00:34:14.860
 worldly,

00:34:14.860 --> 00:34:17.280
 human wisdom.

00:34:19.940 --> 00:34:21.240
 It won't work

00:34:21.240 --> 00:34:23.139
 because we are

00:34:23.139 --> 00:34:24.440
 leaving out the

00:34:24.440 --> 00:34:25.820
 true source of

00:34:25.820 --> 00:34:26.740
 wisdom, the

00:34:26.740 --> 00:34:27.260
 Lord Jesus

00:34:27.260 --> 00:34:27.800
 Christ.

00:34:29.079 --> 00:34:30.079
 We're leaving

00:34:30.079 --> 00:34:32.119
 out God and

00:34:32.119 --> 00:34:32.840
 His will.

00:34:34.440 --> 00:34:35.320
 No matter what

00:34:35.320 --> 00:34:35.900
 you do,

00:34:36.280 --> 00:34:36.720
 no matter where

00:34:36.720 --> 00:34:37.280
 you live,

00:34:37.340 --> 00:34:37.980
 who you live

00:34:37.980 --> 00:34:38.340
 with,

00:34:38.340 --> 00:34:40.260
 you need

00:34:40.260 --> 00:34:41.180
 God's wisdom.

00:34:42.320 --> 00:34:42.720
 And in the

00:34:42.720 --> 00:34:43.400
 weeks to come,

00:34:43.420 --> 00:34:44.120
 as we finish up

00:34:44.120 --> 00:34:44.860
 here in James

00:34:44.860 --> 00:34:45.200
 and move into

00:34:45.200 --> 00:34:45.500
 the book of

00:34:45.500 --> 00:34:46.019
 Proverbs,

00:34:46.500 --> 00:34:46.880
 we're going to

00:34:46.880 --> 00:34:48.800
 look at how

00:34:48.800 --> 00:34:49.700
 to acquire

00:34:49.700 --> 00:34:50.640
 godly wisdom.

00:34:51.440 --> 00:34:51.680
 We're going to

00:34:51.680 --> 00:34:52.180
 look at more

00:34:52.180 --> 00:34:52.880
 detail about what

00:34:52.880 --> 00:34:53.780
 it looks like,

00:34:54.000 --> 00:34:54.660
 how it will

00:34:54.660 --> 00:34:56.340
 benefit us and

00:34:56.340 --> 00:34:56.980
 other people.

00:34:58.100 --> 00:34:58.660
 But right now,

00:34:58.760 --> 00:34:59.500
 understand this,

00:35:00.160 --> 00:35:00.820
 godly wisdom

00:35:00.820 --> 00:35:01.480
 comes from living

00:35:01.480 --> 00:35:01.900
 in close

00:35:01.900 --> 00:35:03.280
 fellowship with

00:35:03.280 --> 00:35:03.559
 Him.

00:35:03.559 --> 00:35:06.239
 and learning

00:35:06.239 --> 00:35:07.219
 to look at

00:35:07.219 --> 00:35:08.179
 all of life

00:35:08.179 --> 00:35:08.559
 through the

00:35:08.559 --> 00:35:09.139
 lens of

00:35:09.139 --> 00:35:09.599
 Scripture.

00:35:10.199 --> 00:35:10.739
 That includes

00:35:10.739 --> 00:35:11.279
 the way you

00:35:11.279 --> 00:35:12.199
 live at home

00:35:12.199 --> 00:35:12.559
 with your

00:35:12.559 --> 00:35:13.480
 husband, your

00:35:13.480 --> 00:35:14.179
 wife, your

00:35:14.179 --> 00:35:15.420
 children, your

00:35:15.420 --> 00:35:16.119
 parents.

00:35:17.219 --> 00:35:17.539
 It means the

00:35:17.539 --> 00:35:17.980
 way you do

00:35:17.980 --> 00:35:18.860
 your job, the

00:35:18.860 --> 00:35:19.380
 attitude you

00:35:19.380 --> 00:35:20.880
 have, the

00:35:20.880 --> 00:35:21.299
 way you do

00:35:21.299 --> 00:35:21.920
 whatever you

00:35:21.920 --> 00:35:22.239
 do.

00:35:24.099 --> 00:35:24.980
 Are you a

00:35:24.980 --> 00:35:25.739
 wise person?

00:35:27.400 --> 00:35:28.139
 Don't tell

00:35:28.139 --> 00:35:28.380
 me.

00:35:29.299 --> 00:35:30.000
 Don't answer

00:35:30.000 --> 00:35:30.820
 with words.

00:35:31.840 --> 00:35:32.559
 Just look at

00:35:32.559 --> 00:35:35.159
 your life and

00:35:35.159 --> 00:35:36.400
 your influence.

00:35:37.960 --> 00:35:38.860
 That's where

00:35:38.860 --> 00:35:42.179
 you'll see if

00:35:42.179 --> 00:35:42.799
 you mainly

00:35:42.799 --> 00:35:46.019
 function according

00:35:46.019 --> 00:35:46.799
 to earthly

00:35:46.799 --> 00:35:48.639
 wisdom or

00:35:48.639 --> 00:35:49.440
 God's wisdom.

00:35:50.519 --> 00:35:51.440
 Let's pray.

00:35:52.320 --> 00:35:52.779
 Father,

00:35:54.059 --> 00:35:55.599
 Father, you've

00:35:55.599 --> 00:35:56.279
 made it clear

00:35:56.279 --> 00:35:57.119
 the contrast

00:35:57.119 --> 00:35:59.099
 between earthly

00:35:59.099 --> 00:35:59.880
 human wisdom,

00:36:00.219 --> 00:36:00.840
 our best

00:36:00.840 --> 00:36:01.340
 efforts,

00:36:01.340 --> 00:36:04.480
 and your

00:36:04.480 --> 00:36:06.019
 true,

00:36:06.740 --> 00:36:10.140
 life-changing,

00:36:12.059 --> 00:36:12.800
 purifying,

00:36:14.000 --> 00:36:14.579
 peaceful

00:36:14.579 --> 00:36:16.640
 wisdom.

00:36:16.639 --> 00:36:20.719
 help us, dear

00:36:20.719 --> 00:36:21.199
 God, to see

00:36:21.199 --> 00:36:21.759
 how we should

00:36:21.759 --> 00:36:22.539
 respond to you

00:36:22.539 --> 00:36:23.099
 this morning.

00:36:24.359 --> 00:36:25.279
 Help us to

00:36:25.279 --> 00:36:26.679
 desire and to

00:36:26.679 --> 00:36:27.779
 seek your

00:36:27.779 --> 00:36:30.279
 wisdom, to

00:36:30.279 --> 00:36:30.900
 know how we

00:36:30.900 --> 00:36:32.779
 should fulfill

00:36:32.779 --> 00:36:33.519
 all of our

00:36:33.519 --> 00:36:34.559
 responsibilities in

00:36:34.559 --> 00:36:35.159
 this world.

00:36:35.159 --> 00:36:35.279
 world.

00:36:40.279 --> 00:36:41.199
 In an attitude of

00:36:41.199 --> 00:36:41.639
 prayer, you

00:36:41.639 --> 00:36:42.139
 listen to the

00:36:42.139 --> 00:36:42.539
 Lord and you

00:36:42.539 --> 00:36:43.119
 respond to

00:36:43.119 --> 00:36:43.299
 him.

00:36:44.000 --> 00:36:44.539
 This is

00:36:44.539 --> 00:36:45.119
 something that

00:36:45.119 --> 00:36:45.779
 will make a

00:36:45.779 --> 00:36:46.960
 difference in

00:36:46.960 --> 00:36:47.619
 your life and

00:36:47.619 --> 00:36:48.000
 the life of

00:36:48.000 --> 00:36:48.500
 people around

00:36:48.500 --> 00:36:50.059
 you, living

00:36:50.059 --> 00:36:50.599
 according to

00:36:50.599 --> 00:36:51.319
 God's wisdom

00:36:51.319 --> 00:36:53.019
 and refusing to

00:36:53.019 --> 00:36:55.000
 just do what

00:36:55.000 --> 00:36:55.739
 comes natural,

00:36:57.019 --> 00:36:58.619
 live by human

00:36:58.619 --> 00:36:58.879
 wisdom.

00:36:59.839 --> 00:37:00.559
 So listen to the

00:37:00.559 --> 00:37:01.299
 Lord and respond to

00:37:01.299 --> 00:37:01.420
 him.

00:37:01.500 --> 00:37:01.859
 Let's pray

00:37:01.859 --> 00:37:02.279
 together.

00:37:02.559 --> 00:37:03.000
 If I can pray

00:37:03.000 --> 00:37:03.819
 with you, I'll be

00:37:03.820 --> 00:37:04.200
 here at the

00:37:04.200 --> 00:37:04.360
 front.