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Ephesians 5:15–16

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T. S. Eliot, “The Rock” (1934):

“All our knowledge brings us nearer to our ignorance,
All our ignorance brings us nearer to death,
But nearness to death no nearer to GOD.
Where is the Life we have lost in living?
Where is the wisdom we have lost in knowledge?
Where is the knowledge we have lost in information?
The cycles of Heaven in twenty centuries
bring us farther from GOD and nearer to the Dust.”

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James 3:13
“Who is wise and understanding among you?
By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.”

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I. WISDOM IS PROVEN BY ITS POSTURE

Q: What is wisdom?

• “wise,” Gk. σοφός (sophos)

• “understanding,” Gk. ἐπιστήμων (epistēmōn)

Deuteronomy 1:13, 15
Deuteronomy 4:6 – “Keep them and do them, for that will be your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples.”

How do you know if someone is wise and understanding?

a. Does this person live a good life?

• “conduct,” Gk. ἀναστροφή (anastrophē) – “mode of life”

• “good,” Gk. καλός (kalos) – “fertile, rich”

b. Does this person exhibit humility?

• “meekness,” Gk. πραύ̈της (prautēs) – “gentleness or kindness,” also “power under control”

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II. WISDOM IS SHAPED BY ITS SOURCE

1. Wisdom from Below

James 3:14–15
“But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts,
do not boast and be false to the truth.
This is not the wisdom that comes down from above,
but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.”

Three characteristics:

• Earthly

• Unspiritual

• Demonic

James 3:16
“For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist,
there will be disorder and every vile practice.”

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2. Wisdom from Above

James 3:17
“But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable,
gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.”

• “from above,” Gk. ἄνωθεν (anōthen)

John 3:3–5 (cf. Ezekiel 36:25–27)

James 3:18
“And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.”

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TAKEAWAYS

1. Wisdom is not just about applying knowledge but applying virtue.

2. Only Christians can exhibit true wisdom.

3. The world desperately needs wisdom.