Nine characteristics of wisdom
Nine Characteristics of Wisdom from Above (James 3:17,18) "But the wisdom from above is first of all pure (undefiled); peace-loving, courteous (considerate, gentle); it is willing to yield to reason, full of compassion and good fruits; it is wholehearted and straight forward; impartial and unfeigned (free from doubts, wavering and insincerity). And the harvest of righteousness (Of conformity to God’s will in thought and deeds) is the fruit of the seed sown in peace by those who work for and make peace in themselves and in other others, that peace which menas concnered, agreement and harmony between individuals with undisturbness, in a peaceful mind free from fears and agitating passions and moral-conflicts." (Amplified Bible) Failure to exude the wisdom from above leads to impurity, pickiness, harshness, unapproachableness, mercilessness, fruitlessness, wavering and dishonesty. True wisdom is pure, peacable, gentle, entreatable, merciful, fruitful, steadfast, honest that evidences a Christlikeness given by the enduement and empowerment of the Holy Spirit. Much of the material for this sermon is based on the writing of T. W. Hunt.
Illustration: The wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield. --James 3:17 Is it wise to be bitterly envious of other people’s possessions, talents, or good looks? Is it wise to be selfishly ambitious--and then brag about what your ambition brings you? A passage in the Bible actually seems to call such attitudes wise. James used the word wisdom to describe "bitter envy and self-seeking" (3:14-15). That’s surprising, because we normally equate wisdom with something good. But James used the word in a specific context. The source of this wisdom, he pointed out, is evil. It doesn’t come "from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic." It is the wisdom that leads to immoral decisions about how life should be lived. This kind of "wisdom" is all around us. Bitter envy and selfish ambition
Illustration: The wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield. --James 3:17 Is it wise to be bitterly envious of other people’s possessions, talents, or good looks? Is it wise to be selfishly ambitious--and then brag about what your ambition brings you? A passage in the Bible actually seems to call such attitudes wise. James used the word wisdom to describe "bitter envy and self-seeking" (3:14-15). That’s surprising, because we normally equate wisdom with something good. But James used the word in a specific context. The source of this wisdom, he pointed out, is evil. It doesn’t come "from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic." It is the wisdom that leads to immoral decisions about how life should be lived. This kind of "wisdom" is all around us. Bitter envy and selfish ambition