Topics: heavenly wisdom
I. Demonstrate wisdom through humility!
- Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom (James 3:13).
- But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic (James 3:14-15).
- For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing (James 3:16).
- Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves, which was also in Christ Jesus (Philippians 2:3-5).
- But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace (James 3:17-18).
II. Stop chasing worldly passions!
- What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Isn't the source of your pleasures that wage war in your members (James 4:1)?
- You lust and do not have; so you commit murder. You are envious and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures (James 4:2-3).
- You have heard that the ancients were told, "You shall not commit murder," and "Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court." "But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, 'You good-for-nothing, shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever says, 'You fool, ' shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell (Matthew 5:21-22).
- Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart (Psalm 37:4).
- You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore, whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God (James 4:4).
- Or do you think that the Scripture speaks to no purpose? " He jealously desires the Spirit which He has made to dwell in us?" But He gives a greater grace. Therefore, it says, "God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble "(James 4:5-6).
III. Submit to God and resist the world!
- Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be miserable and mourn and weep; let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you (James 4:7-10).
Sermon by Pastor Dane Nissen, April 12th, 2026.
Life Group Flow and Discussion Questions
Heavenly wisdom over wordly words
An important Guideline of Life Groups:
Wisdom is a very important quality in life. Discuss the differences between worldly wisdom and heavenly wisdom.
Getting Started:
- With wisdom being such a focus, how often do you search the scriptures for wisdom on something?
- What does bitter envy and selfish ambition look like in our homes, workplaces, or even in the church?
- In the list James gives in verse 17, what areas do you feel you are doing well, and where can you grow?
Discussing Truths:
1. How do our desires for earthly comforts, status, or control push us into conflict with God? And what are your earthly desires that need to be extinguished?
Now What? Application:
- What does it mean to "grieve, mourn, and wail" over our sin (v. 9)? Why is brokenness an important step toward experiencing God's grace?/li>
- Look back at James 4:6: "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." What is one specific area of your life where you need to lay down your pride and ask for God's grace this week?
- Read James this week.
- Proverbs a day keeps the foolishness away.
