souce : w97 11/15 14 Act With Wisdom From Above 19 All of us need wisdom to say and do things befitting those who have faith. (James 3:13-18) If we have reverential fear of God, he grants us heavenly wisdom, the ability to use knowledge aright. (Proverbs 9:10; Hebrews 5:14) His Word teaches us how to display “a mildness that belongs to wisdom.” And because we are mild, we promote congregational peace. (1 Corinthians 8:1, 2) Any who brag about being great teachers of fellow believers are ‘lying against Christian truth,’ which condemns their egotism. (Galatians 5:26) Their “wisdom” is “earthly”—characteristic of sinful humans alienated from God. It is “animal,” being the product of fleshly inclinations. Why, it is even “demonic,” for wicked spirits are proud! (1 Timothy 3:6) Let us therefore act with wisdom and humility so that we do nothing to create an atmosphere wherein such ‘vile things’ as slander and favoritism can flourish. 20 “Wisdom from above is first of all chaste,” making us clean morally and spiritually. (2 Corinthians 7:11) It is “peaceable,” moving us to pursue peace. (Hebrews 12:14) Heavenly wisdom makes us “reasonable,” not dogmatic and hard to deal with. (Philippians 4:5) Wisdom from above is “ready to obey,” promoting obedience to divine teaching and cooperation with Jehovah’s organization. (Romans 6:17) Wisdom from above also makes us merciful, compassionate. (Jude 22, 23) Being full of “good fruits,” it prompts concern for others and actions in harmony with goodness, righteousness, and truth. (Ephesians 5:9) And as peacemakers, we enjoy “the fruit of righteousness” that thrives under peaceful conditions. 21 Clearly, then, faith moves us to action. It makes us impartial, merciful, and active in fine works. Faith helps us to control the tongue and to act with heavenly wisdom. But that is not all we can learn from this letter. James has further counsel that can help us to conduct ourselves in a manner befitting those who have faith in Jehovah. How Would You Answer? □ What is wrong with showing favoritism? □ How are faith and works related? □ Why is it so important to control the tongue? □ What is heavenly wisdom like? [Study Questions] 1, 2. How will we act if we have faith? 3, 4. How should faith affect the way we treat others? 5. Who has God chosen to be “rich in faith,” and how do the materially rich often act? 6. How would we be lawbreakers if we did not deal mercifully with others? 7. Why can those continuing to show favoritism not expect mercy from God? 8. What is the situation of a person who says he has faith but lacks works? 9. What shows that we have faith? 10. Why is Abraham called “the father of all those having faith”? 11. What evidence of faith do we have in the case of Rahab? 12. What should be done by elders in the congregation? 13. Why do we stumble in word? 14. How does James stress the need for effort in order to control the tongue? 15. What harm may be done by the unbridled tongue? 16. In view of the damage that can be done by an unruly tongue, what should we do? 17, 18. What inconsistency is pointed out at James 3:9-12, and what should we do in this regard? 19. If we are guided by heavenly wisdom, how may we affect others? 20. How would you describe heavenly wisdom? 21. According to James 2:1–3:18, to what actions should our faith in God move us?
Posted on: Tue, 29 Oct 2013 08:17:00 +0000
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