Lesson 19: Wisdom (part 1)
Read James 3:13-18 - www.bible.com/bible/59/jas.3.esv

We have at our disposal today more knowledge than at any time in history. More information has been produced in the last thirty years than in the previous five thousand. Today information doubles every four years. Our world has plenty of knowledge and education, but it didn’t necessarily bring along much wisdom - Proverbs 4:7. In fact, wisdom can often be learned from the fairly uneducated. Take children for example:
“Patrick, age 10, says, “Never trust a dog to watch your food.”
“Lauren, age 9 says, “Felt markers are not good to use as lipstick.”
“Eileen, age 8 says, “Never try to baptize a cat.”

Although there is much wisdom in what these children said there is more to wisdom than this. In fact James’ whole letter is an explanation about the purpose of God in the life of a believer. And in order for that purpose to be worked out in the believer’s life one thing is required, wisdom. So James’ advice is merely to ask for it. “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men liberally, without reproach; and it shall be given him." - James 1:5. James begins to deal with how to live our lives in verse 13 by asking the question, "Who is wise and understanding among you?" No one wants to be seen as foolish or unwise. We all want to be perceived as intelligent and "as people of Wisdom” – and that is a good goal to set – a Scriptural goal. Proverbs 2:4 reminds us to seek for wisdom “as for hidden treasure.”

It is not enough to simply stand before people and say, “I have to have something to say.” As we begin to examine what James says about this subject we need to be careful not to confuse knowledge and wisdom. Knowledge alone isn’t enough. For example, let me share some things you may not have known.


Did you know?
-that there are only two people in Saudi Arabia who subscribe to “Surfer” magazine.
-that from space, the brightest man-made place is Las Vegas, Nevada.
-that the most stolen items in a drug store are batteries, cosmetics, film, and sunglasses.

Now you have advanced your store of knowledge. But wisdom is more than knowing a lot of useless information. Unfortunately, that distinction is still often lacking in our modern world. There is still a tendency to equate wisdom with intelligence, titles and degrees. Little if any attention is given to the lifestyle of the quoted "expert" or the long-range effect of his supposed wisdom. Knowledge is the accumulation of facts. But wisdom is moral insight with understanding about practical application. Wisdom is measured not by degrees acquired, but by deeds accomplished.

*According to James 3:13 - Who is a wise man with knowledge? _____

Our lifestyle will be the leading indicator of the level and source of our wisdom. Depending on the kind of lifestyle a person has, you can make an accurate judgment concerning the kind of wisdom they have -- whether it is the wisdom that comes from God or wisdom that is merely an earthly imitation.