The James Study - Faith and Fitness ChallengeSample

Wisdom and The World

In chapter 3, James contrasts two kinds of wisdom – worldly wisdom and godly wisdom – and unpacks the consequences of both. He describes worldly wisdom as earthly, unspiritual, and demonic – the kind of shrewdness that evaluates everything by worldly standards and makes personal gain life’s highest goal. When we lean into this kind of ‘wisdom’, we become consumed with earthly things and neglect God’s wisdom. We’re thinking and acting naturally – or worse, demonically.

As usual, James doesn’t hold back, showing us that the consequences of worldly wisdom are jealousy, envy, selfish ambition, disorder, and every evil practice. And while jealousy, envy, and selfish ambition appear to be internal motivations, unchecked they always morph into external expression – and cause havoc. You don’t have to look far for evidence of worldly ‘wisdom’. Just open the newsfeed on your phone and you’ll find jealousy, envy, selfish ambition, disorder, and every evil practice. On a personal level, we’re all familiar with feelings of jealousy that lead us to making selfish decisions that only benefit us.

James concludes this chapter by urging us to pursue wisdom from above: God’s wisdom. This is true wisdom, and it’s pure, peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial, and sincere. Be honest with yourself about the kind of wisdom that’s been on display in your life lately. If it’s been more worldly than godly, what’s your next step?

In chapter 4, James continues to show us the dire consequences of following our sinful motivations instead of following God. If you’re wondering why there’s so much conflict in your life or the world at large, look no further than the sinful desires battling within you, me, and every other human.

James goes on to explain that too often we don’t get what we ask God for because we’re asking with wrong motives. We want only what gives us pleasure. Even though James wrote this letter two thousand years ago, his words are so relevant in our cultural moment of instant gratification. We treat God like a genie in a bottle, only talking to Him when we want something, and then getting frustrated when we don’t get it.

James also warns that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God. For so long, I lived with one foot in the church and another in the world. I wanted to please God, but I also wanted to please people around me. Take it from me: it’s impossible to live like this. If you constantly seek God’s approval and the approval of those around you, you’ll never be satisfied. This world can’t give you what only your Creator can. I love that James reiterates the point of humbling ourselves – because God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.

Today, check your heart by examining your motives, humble yourself, and pray for godly wisdom.

First the Word – now the Workout:

20 plank shoulder taps

(Rest for 30 seconds)

15 chair dips

(Rest for 30 seconds)

10 push-ups

(Rest 30 seconds)

5 pull-ups