09 James 3:13-4:6 – The Cause of Strife

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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.

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. – James 3:13-18 ESV

The second paragraph 4:1-6 gives the results of earthly wisdom or sinful attitude.

4:1What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? 2You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. 3You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. 4You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. 5Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”? 6But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” – James 4:1-6 ESV

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
Part of the series: James: The Gospel in Shoe Leather
Study Resources: James Bible Study Resources

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Passage

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 Part of the series: James: The Gospel in Shoe Leather Study Resources: James Bible Study Resources

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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
Part of the series: James: The Gospel in Shoe Leather
Study Resources: James Bible Study Resources