Against All Odds Week 7

AGAINST ALL ODDS – 7
What Wisdom Looks Like

James 3:13-18 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their
good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you harbor
bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.
15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.
16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil
practice. 17 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. 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.

 Wisdom is shown by my GOOD DEEDS done in HUMILITY.

PRINCIPLES:
1. If I’m RIGHT in the WRONG way – I’m DEAD WRONG!
James 3:14-16 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts,
do not boast and be false to the truth. 15 This is not the wisdom that comes down
from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish
ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.
Proverbs 17:19 Whoever loves a quarrel loves sin; whoever builds a high gate
invites destruction.
Proverbs 10:19 Sin is not ended by multiplying words, but the prudent hold their
tongues.
I Corinthians 13:1-7; Ephesians 4:15

2. We’re called to be RECRUITERS – not GUARD DOGS!

Matthew 28:18-20 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on
earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing
them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and
teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with
you always, to the very end of the age.”

Matthew 13:24-30 Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a
man who sowed good seed in his field. 25 But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy
came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. 26 When the wheat sprouted
and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared.
27 “The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your
field? Where then did the weeds come from?’ 28 “‘An enemy did this,’ he replied. “The
servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’
29 “‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the
wheat with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the
harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the
wheat and bring it into my barn.’”

2 Timothy 2:24-26 And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to
everyone, able to teach, not resentful. 25 Opponents must be gently instructed, in the
hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the
truth, 26 and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the
devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.

A Wisdom Checklist
1. Am I PURE in my motives and actions?
Matthew 7:1-5 “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge
others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
3 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to
the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck
out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first
take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck
from your brother’s eye.

2. Am I looking for COMMON GROUND?

Matthew 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Proverbs 17:19 Whoever loves a quarrel loves sin;
Proverbs 10:12 Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs.

3. Am I RESPECTFUL?
Proverbs 16:21 The wise in heart are called discerning, and gracious words promote
instruction.
Daniel 1-6 / 2 Timothy 2:14-26/ Proverbs 11:12

4. AM I TEACHABLE?
Proverbs 12:1 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction
is stupid.
Proverbs 18:2 Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own
opinions.

5. Am I MERCIFUL?
1 Corinthians 13:5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily
angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
James 2:13 because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not
been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

6. Am I producing good FRUIT or just stirring up CONFLICT?

Proverbs 9:7-8 Whoever corrects a mocker invites insults;
    whoever rebukes the wicked incurs abuse.
8 Do not rebuke mockers or they will hate you;
    rebuke the wise and they will love you.
James 3:18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.
Proverbs 16:26 The appetite of laborers works for them;
    their hunger drives them on.
Proverbs 17:9 Whoever would foster love covers over an offense,
    but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.

7. Am I FAIR?

Leviticus 19:15 “‘Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism
to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly.

8. Do I WALK my TALK?

Matthew 7:1-5/ 1 John 1:6/ Proverbs 11:3