True Wisdom – James 3:13-18
6. True Wisdom grows over time by obedience to the Word.
James 1:19-25; 1 John 2:1-6; 1 John 3:16-24
“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” (Matthew 7:24)
Whoever keeps his commandments abides in God, and God in him. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us. (1 John 3:24)
For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete. (2 Corinthians 10:3-6)
Study it Out
- According to 1 John 3:16-24, what specific commandments are proof of our relationship with God? In other words, to grow in wisdom means you would also be growing in what primary attribute of God? How does this truth help us to avoid a checklist mentality of Christianity?
- How does 2 Corinthians 10 both offer encouragement and warning concerning our obedience to Christ’s Word? Where does each battle begin and where is it? Remember that we have access to divine power (not our own) to defeat the lies that are constantly attacking. Also, note the order of the commands given in 1 John 3. Belief always precedes action.