BUILT DIFFERENT – BUILT WITH WISDOM

BUILT DIFFERENT – BUILT WITH WISDOM

If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom.

James 3:13

GUIDING TRUTH: Not all wisdom is wisdom.

Faith can’t be built different if we don’t with the right .

BIG IDEA: The source of your wisdom determines the of your life.

BUILT DIFFERENT: Not everything that sounds wise leads to somewhere .

ADVICE: “Follow Your Heart”

Sounds wise, feels authentic, but the Bible gives a filter.

The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?

Jeremiah 17:9

Worldly wisdom says: your heart.

Godly wisdom says: your heart to God.

ADVICE: “Get Even”

Sounds fair, feels justified, but Jesus flips the wisdom.

Do not take revenge… but leave room for God’s wrath.

Romans 12:19

Worldly wisdom says: Make them .

Godly wisdom says: Trust God with .

ADVICE: “Put Yourself First”

Sounds empowering, looks confident, but Jesus reframes greatness.

The greatest among you will be your servant.

Matthew 23:11

Worldly wisdom says: Promote .

Godly wisdom says: others.

WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT WISDOM

1. Wisdom is in our not our claims.

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life…

James 3:13 (NIV)

         2. Earthly wisdom looks but produces .

But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 

James 3:14-15

Wisdom from God will always center on self.

WHERE SELF IS CENTRAL:

• Peace .
• Relationships .
• Communities .

         3. wisdom always leads to .

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.

James 3:17

TRUTH TO HOLD ONTO: If wisdom consistently produces , it didn’t come from God.

         4. Peace is a , not a .

 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.

James 3:18

Some people say: I’m just not a peaceful .

James would say: Peace where godly wisdom is .

If peace is , check the source not the .

CLOSING CHALLENGE: What’s been your lately?