Community Group Discussion Guide

James 3:13-18 – Weekend of October 13 & 14, 2018

I. Starter Question:

Easy question: Who deserves the “Wisdom of Solomon” award? Name someone in your life that was or is an example of godly wisdom. What were some of the characteristics of that person’s life?Harder question: Has there been a time or circumstance in your life when seeking godly wisdom was a priority? Time to get real question: Have you experienced a false wisdom, either because of self-deception, or at the hands of leaders whose actions were from selfish ambition? What were the results?

II. Discussion of Scripture:

Context: James makes a transition, where in previous verses he speaks of the power of our tongues to bring destruction, to a discussion of godly wisdom, as opposed to worldly wisdom. Throughout James the apostle speaks directly to challenges believers face as the body of Christ, living in this world and in the community of the body of Christ. Some of these include taking joy in the maturity suffering brings, showing partiality, the struggle of exercising genuine faith through good works, guarding our speech, and in today’s verses, bitter jealousy and selfish ambition.

The verses in James 3:13-18 are unique to the book, being a high point of James’ teaching. The apostle steps back from these difficult themes and, beginning with a rhetorical question, teaches us how godly wisdom and ungodly wisdom manifest themselves in our lives. Like a healing balm to our rebellious hearts, James wraps up this section of Scripture with the beauty of how God’s wisdom manifests itself and what it looks like.

James 3:13-18 (ESV) – 13Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. 14But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. 15This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. 17But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. 18And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

For Discussion:

1. In verse thirteen, James begins with a rhetorical question—a question not intended to produce a verbal response, but to cause us to think about the matter in question. “Who is wise and understanding among you?” James is helping us to recognize a foundational problem that is common to our understanding of wisdom, as it has been defined by the world. In this specific passage, James teaches that godly wisdom is revealed in a life that displays joy, is agreeable and pleasant (the “good conduct” of verse 13). It is God’s spirit of meekness (translated also as gentleness) and humility that is the foundation of this godly wisdom. The original language indicates that godly wisdom is not present in the absence of gentleness and humility. In verse 14, James contrasts this humility of godly wisdom with the wisdom of the world, which is characterized by “bitter jealousy and selfish ambition”. Verse 14 is completed with a command, “…do not boast and be false to the truth”, or said another way, embrace an un-truth.

a. How do you normally respond to a rhetorical question you read in Scripture? Jesus used them often. Can our response tell us anything about our hearts? The humility James is speaking of is demonstrated through a teachable posture, where we become intent listeners in reading these questions.

b. With this view of wisdom, contrasted with the false wisdom James speaks of, what will give us evidence that we’re hearing wisdom from above?

c. Have you fallen prey to the un-truth of the world’s counterfeit wisdom? Have you experienced it as the bitter jealousy and selfish ambition James is rebuking? How do we protect the church from the deception of this earthly, unspiritual and demonic view of wisdom?

d. In verse 16, what does James say is the result of jealousy and selfish ambition?

e. James explains how worldly wisdom proves its defect and origin by its destruction. It is merely human, not of God, and can even be demonic; while godly wisdom is a gift from God that we should passionately pursue, and ask for (James 1:5; Proverbs 4:8). When our trust, whether that be church leaders or church members, is placed in this worldly wisdom, the result can be every kind of evil practice.

2. James finishes this important section of Scripture with a deeply encouraging description of God’s wisdom and a view for what our personal lives and life in the church can look like. The practical effects of God’s wisdom on our lives is profound.

a. Godly wisdom is first pure. What does it mean for wisdom to be pure? Does purity speak to trustworthiness? Does it speak to motivation?

b. Godly wisdom is peaceable, gentle, and open to reason. In Christ, our lives can be peace-loving, gentle, and considerate, willing to yield to others; the complete opposite of the envious, selfish, and ambitious person who is driven by demonic wisdom. * Can you speak to a time in your life where such transformation has occurred? Have you seen godly wisdom bring peace to a family, to a church, or to circumstances at work?

c. Opposite of “every vile practice” that the wisdom of the world brings, are the virtues of godly wisdom listed in verse 17. The result personally, in our families and in our church, is a harvest of righteousness. What qualities in verse 17 do you most need planted as seeds in your life that will produce that harvest of righteousness?

III. Responding in Prayer:

1. Pray for eyes and ears to recognize when you’re depending on self-wisdom, or the world’s wisdom, that God will protect you with His wisdom.

2. Ask God to give you and the leaders of Henderson Hills a deep and lasting hunger for the wisdom of God.

3. Quickly and fully repent and turn from selfish ambition that will bring destruction to you, your family and the church.

4. Thank God for the church as the pillar of truth and the protection it brings through the gospel.

*D.A. Carson, The Pillar NT Commentary: The Letter of James