Seek Wisdom

Well, good afternoon and happy Sabbath. And happy Sabbath as well to those who are joining us over the webcast today. Hope that we're all having a very fine and inspiring and restful Sabbath day. Well, brethren, God has called us for more than one reason. One of the reasons that He has called us is for us to be lights to the world. We are to shine forth. And not to hide our lights under a bushel, so to speak. In order to be a proper light, we need to have more wisdom. Like Christ has told us, He wants us to be wise and sharp as serpents, and yet harmless as a dove. Not seeking our own way or winning arguments or winning debates, but to be able to explain our beliefs of what we believe and what we do to be able to explain those to others. Specifically, this opportunity presents itself as we approach the end of another calendar year and going through another cycle of the world's holidays, of December 25th, of January 1st, et cetera. Generally at this time of the year, we tend to stand out a bit more than at other times, and we need to conduct ourselves wisely. We need to be wise Christians. God has called us to be ambassadors, to represent Him, His word and His way and His way of life. Peter tells us that we need to be able to give an answer when we are asked for the hope that is within us. It takes wisdom, again, to be a light, to be wise, to provide wise answers. As I mentioned, we stand out at this particular time of the year. We need to be wise Christians. Again, God has called us as ambassadors to represent Him and His ways. Peter tells us we need to be able to answer when we are asked. So how do we get wisdom? Or in some cases, how do we get more wisdom? Turn to James the first chapter. James the first chapter, and I'll start reading in verse 5. James 1 verse 5, where James tells us a little bit about wisdom here and a little bit later in his book more about wisdom. So James 1 and verse 5, it says, if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God. In other words, we can pray about it, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him, but let him ask in faith with no doubting. For he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord. He is a double-minded man, unstable in his ways. So how do we get more wisdom? Again, James tells us, we ask. Now this isn't the only way to get more wisdom, but it is a way to get wisdom. And by the way, the word here for wisdom is the Greek word sophia, Strong's 4678.

It's just talking about wisdom in general. Could be worldly wisdom, could be spiritual wisdom. But it's the word is sophia that is translated from. So James explains to us how to get more wisdom or to get wisdom. One way is to ask, and God certainly is a good God and he gives good gifts. He is a generous God also. He gives liberally and abundantly. But we must ask in faith. Wisdom also comes from having a right relationship with God. Of being obedient to God's ways and of being obedient to God, of walking with God. I'm not going to turn there, but a memory scripture for many of us is Psalm 111 verse 10. That's Psalm 111 verse 10, where it says, a good understanding, excuse me, the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. A good understanding have all those that do his commandments. So wisdom is to be used to live a Godly life. James is not talking about just the accumulation of facts or figures or dates or superior knowledge or mental recall. Although wisdom can include some of those factors. James is really talking about practical wisdom, day to day wisdom, how we live our lives. It has to do with alcohol, the business of living. God gives us wisdom also to be able to do. That's to produce, to accomplish, not just to listen and learn and then, you know, file away the information for future reference. James talks about wisdom that is practical and day to day for us to use. James has more to say about wisdom a little later in his letter here in chapter three, James three, excuse me, in James three, starting in verse 13, it says, who then is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by his good conduct. Again, it's demonstratable. It's not just, not just academic. Let him show by his good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. Here again in this society we live in, when we see someone that's wise, quite often they're not very meek about it. But God wants us to have a meekness of wisdom. He wants us to be humble and make children of his. So he's saying, who is wise among you? Let him show by his good conduct that his words are done in meekness of wisdom. Verse 14, James goes on and talks about what I'll call the wrong types of wisdom. And verse 14, it says, but if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, and demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and everything else will also be there. So here this is talking about worldly wisdom. It produces bad fruits of bitterness and envy of self-seeking or ambition. As James calls it, it's demonic. It leads to confusion. But then continuing on in verse 17, James talks about what I'll call godly wisdom. In verse 17 it says, but the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. So this wisdom is more of a gift from God as opposed to something that we do ourselves to attain it, although certainly there are things that we can and should do. But rather it's a gift of God. Recall Solomon, one of the wisest men who ever lived.

It says, recall Solomon, he asked for wisdom and God granted his request. Solomon wisely chose wisdom and was rewarded handsomely. Joshua also, looking at the Old Testament, was full of the spirit of wisdom because, as it said, Moses has laid his hands upon him. So wisdom is a gift from God, but also takes some effort from us. It takes experience of evaluating outcomes, but in the end wisdom is a gift of God. Now in verse 17, James uses eight different words to describe different aspects of wisdom. It's like going in front of a jewelry store and looking in the display window where we can see various gemstones with sparkling lights coming from them as the light is reflected or refracted. It's like a multifaceted gemstone reflecting light in a beautiful manner. Likewise wisdom also has various aspects. These are the words that are talked about in verse 17. And by the way, William Barkley, the commentator, has a nice section on wisdom upon these verses right here that we're going through. Going through this section also on wisdom is a nice way to study the Bible. It can help our Bible study, checking these words. And again, there are eight words that are used in verse 17 for wisdom. Checking these words help us understand the different aspects of wisdom. Just to take an example of what this might look like, for example, it starts out, number one, it says, wisdom that is above is first pure. So wisdom is pure.

Pure, as far as a definition is concerned, means innocent, chaste, modest, and blameless. And again, this is wisdom. Something really to meditate upon in this verse. And by the way, the definitions that I'll be given today are either from William Barkley or from Mounts. Now it's root meaning, that's the word pure here, the root meaning is to be pure enough to approach the gods. I'll say gods with a little g. And you think about the time that James was writing, they had a lot of gods back then, quote, unquote. And those who went to the Feast of Tabernacles in Greece last year or a few years ago got an example to see the society of, yes, there are many, many statues just left over. Something about pure is being pure enough to be able to communicate or to be able to approach the gods. Pure has to do with being pure inside and outside. It has to do with the heart. And of course, we all know God has a lot to say about our hearts. The first and greatest commandment is love God with all your heart. God wants us to have a pure heart. God wants us to have His word in our hearts. Now we could go through all through these eight words in verse 17 in a similar manner. There's much to be learned. It certainly could help our Bible study. It can also help our prayer time. And it says then James goes on to say in verse 18, where it says, now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. So the fruit of righteousness, something that sounds good to all of us, that peace is a right relationship between man and man and man and God. And we all want to reap a harvest of good things. But for the seeds to grow, it must be in a right environment. That is to say that is nothing good can grow where there is bitterness and strife. The seeds of righteousness or the fruits of righteousness cannot grow where there is bitterness and strife. True wisdom has a lot to do with our relationships, how we get along with our neighbors. And again, when I say neighbors, it's not just the person who lives next door to you. As we understand, it's a much, much bigger scope than that. Wisdom has to do with relationship, how we get along with our neighbors. And again, remember who our neighbor is. Wisdom is the proper application of knowledge, ultimately leading to right relationships. Turn to Proverbs 16, Proverbs 16, and I'll read verse 16. While we're getting there, wisdom is important. And this is another area where we can grow. Again, something for our Bible study, something to help us become more mature Christians. Wisdom is a valuable asset. And wisdom comes from God. And as I mentioned, it is valuable. So Proverbs 16 verse 16, I'll just read the first part. How much better it is to get wisdom than gold?