Ever watch White Wolves? For those of you that haven't had
the privilege, a group of teens and their leader go on a backpacking trip, very
much like the Wilderness Trip we do but with less canoeing. Their goal is to
get to the top of Eagle Rock. They eventually make it to the top and disaster
strikes! Their trip turns into a rescue mission. All throughout the movie, one
of the teens, Scott, has camping experience and just seems to be wise in making
decisions and knowing how to handle these scenarios that none of them have ever
been in before. Towards the end of the movie, Benny decides to leave on his own
and get help. He goes in the middle of the night without discussing it with the
group. When Scott wakes up, he sees a note from Benny and is ticked off! He
starts complaining about how they should've discussed this and they should've
decided together. Adam looks at him and responds "no you mean you should
have decided. Let's face it you're just angry because you're the one that has
to sit here and wait, while he's the one that got to go." Scott angrily
kicks some dirt because Adam's right. Scott tries to make it seem like his
concern is the group when really he's mad because he's got some jealously and
selfishness.
Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct
let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter
jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the
truth. (James 3:13-14 ESV)
In chapter 3, James has been talking about the tongue, and
how it's so small yet powerful. He talks about how a spring or a fig tree can
only produce what they are made to produce. After all that, he then starts
talking about wisdom and good conduct.
If a fig tree produces really delicious figs, it doesn't
have to brag about it and tell people. Its fruit speaks for it. Likewise, if
you are wise and understanding, you don't need to brag about it; the way you
act should demonstrate it. It's back to the whole idea of faith without works
being dead.
If you are trying to be wise, but with selfish motives, you
are being false to the truth. Eventually what is in your heart will be
revealed.
The book of Proverbs spends a great deal of time talking
about the difference between those who are full of wisdom and those who are
full of folly. Here are just a few verses:
The wise of heart will receive commandments, but a babbling
fool will come to ruin... The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but
the mouth of the wicked conceals violence... The wise lay up knowledge, but the
mouth of a fool brings ruin near. (Proverbs 10:8, 11, 14 ESV)
The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of
fools pour out folly. (Proverbs 15:2 ESV)
Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets
understanding, (Proverbs 3:13 ESV)
My son, do not lose sight of these— keep sound wisdom and
discretion, and they will be life for your soul and adornment for your neck. (Proverbs
3:21-22 ESV)
The wise will inherit honor, but fools get disgrace. (Proverbs
3:35 ESV)
Answer This:
1) Be honest- are you truly wise and understanding or do you
tend to be motivated by jealously and selfishness?
2) "Who is wise and understanding among you? By his
_____________________ let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom."
3) How does your conduct relate to your
wisdom/understanding?
4) Take some time to journal about this passage.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Written by Amber
I know myself that I am not that wise. But there are some things that I am wise in because I've done it before. But there was a time when I thought I was all wise. It was the time I broke my arm. Basically I wanted to flip on a bar and my (wise)friend told me you shouldn't do that. But I thought I was wise enough and flipped and then fell and broke my wrist. So even when you think you're all wise, listen to your friends.
ReplyDelete