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

In the last two lessons we have read about faith that is directed or destructive – two opposites, based on how we are allowing our tongues to be used. We can use them at God’s direction, or we can use them according to our own desires and beliefs. How do we know which way we are following before we open our mouths to speak?

Our verses open with this question – who is wise or understanding among us? If we are wise and understanding in God’s way we will show it by how we speak. Does this mean we will never hurt someone when we speak to them? Of course this is not what this means. For example, if you and your friend were talking on the street, you are standing still while your friend is backing away but still facing you, and you see they are about to back into the path of a rushing vehicle, you shout at them, “Stop!” Your voice might sound harsh and demanding. They might think you are telling them to stop saying what they just said. But in fact you are trying to save their life.


 Only the Holy Spirit can see both hearts at the same time, so only the Spirit can direct us wisely in what to say. Yes, sometimes truth does hurt. But it hurts less if both people know love was the reason something was said. If you as the speaker ask the Spirit to tell you what to say, then you can also trust the Spirit to whisper His love to the other person.

 This works the other way too – if someone says something hurtful to you, ask the Spirit to show you if the words are true and you need to allow Him to change something in you. Whether their words are true or false, forgiving the person for hurting you is always God’s way. Do not let personal desires or intentions do your speaking for you. Rather, follow God’s wisdom, just as we read in Verse 17 above. Make it your practice to seek Him in all that you say.

Memorize: Ephesians 4:15 - Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ…