James 3:13-18 - Homiletics

Wisdom.

I. WISDOM SHOWS BY ITS FRUITS IN HEART AND LIFE . The following are some of the fruits of the heavenly wisdom:

"By their fruits ye shall know them;" and therefore the presence or absence of such qualities as these form tests by which every one may recognize the presence or absence in his own heart of the wisdom which is from above.

II. THE SINFULNESS OF PARTY SPIRIT . A sin which is not always recognized, especially in religious circles, as being a sin. Its true character, however, may be seen by a consideration of

III. THE CHARACTER OF THE NATURAL MAN . The meaning of "animal" or "natural" ( ψυχικός ) in Scripture requires careful consideration. The fact that wherever a moral emphasis rests upon this word it is always depreciatory, and that here ( James 3:15 ) it stands between "earthly" and " devilish ," forms one of the clearest indications of the absolute need of grace. Scripture has nothing but condemnation for the man who is ruled by the ψυχή . "The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God." Mere good nature will never save a man. It is not enough to be "well disposed. " Esau was all this. He stands out in Holy Scripture as the type of the natural man, ruled only by the ψυχή —good-natured, generous, brave, and kindly, but " not having the Spirit;" no grace , and therefore, by the verdict of an inspired writer, his character is stamped as that of "a profane person" ( Hebrews 12:16 ).