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Review
Chapter 1 – James told us to consider it joy when we face trials because trials test our faith and the process of testing our faith brings us to maturity and makes us into the kind of people we should be.
Chapter 2 – James argued that if we have saving faith and genuinely believe the gospel, it will change the way we think, the way we live, what we value and who we are.
Chapter 3 begins the middle section which runs from 3:1-4:6 he focuses on strife within the community. The first area where that strife is on display is in the teachers. James warns against becoming a teachers for the wrong motives. This theme continues into James 3:13-4:6.
Passage
Having just warned about not wanting to become teachers for the wrong motives, he then asks the question well, who is it that is wise and how do we recognize them? This section divides into 2 paragraphs, each one beginning with a question.
The first paragraph 3:13-18 contrasts having a sinful attitude with wisdom from above. He tells us what wisdom from above is not in vs 13-16 and the results of wisdom from above in 17-18.
The second paragraph 4:1-6 gives the results of earthly wisdom or sinful attitude.
James is talking about wisdom and maturity, not book learning. Wisdom is having a godly perspective on life
For more detail and explanation, please listen to the podcast.
Next: 10 James 4:7-17 Draw Near to God
Previous: 08 James 3:1-12 Warnings to Teachers
Series: James: The Gospel in Shoe Leather
Study: James Resources
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