James 3:17-18

The last three verses spoke of what wisdom from below looks like:

But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. James 3:14-16 ESV

When commenting on James 3:14-15 and James 3:16, we concluded that the works of the flesh or the harvest of sowing to the sinful nature is earthly wisdom evidenced in; jealousy, selfish ambition, disorder, vile practice.

Today we see the wisdom that is from above. That is, the wisdom that God gives to the one who walks by means of the Holy Spirit.

For instance, we are not to put to death the works of the flesh by setting ourselves up with do’s and don’ts.

 “Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch”  (referring to things that all perish as they are used)—according to human precepts and teachings?  These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh. Colossians 2:21-23 ESV

We have available to us (regenerated, believers) the Holy Spirit who is the means and power to put to death the deeds of the flesh.

For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. Romans 8:13 ESV

The reality is that the Holy Spirit and the sinful nature (flesh) are at odds with each other.  When we are presented to the Holy Spirit, the means and power of the Holy Spirit are activated in our lives and He takes on the flesh and what results is; 1. We don’t fulfill the desires of the flesh (evidenced as selfish ambition and jealousy etc etc)  2. We have wisdom from above 3. The Spirit can produce His fruit which we bear 3. We please God.

So, the just man or woman [those who make peace] who sows to the Spirit [in peace] will reap the fruit of the Spirit [harvest of righteousness].

Why do we not have to serve the sin nature when it is such a dominated force?

We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin. Romans 6:6-7 ESV

So, when Christ died for us, He not only took care of our transgressions (sins) but also our sinful nature (sin) which is the root of the problem. Christ justified us from the legal condition we had as slaves to the sin nature. This means it has no right to rule in our lives. Though it did not die, we died to it being set free from the bond that tied us together. When we died, the legal condition of it’s right to rule us was removed. We have been purchased by another. We legally belong to another, Jesus Christ. He bought us with His blood. The truth of the matter is however, this does not become effective in our lives unless we count on it by faith (because His word says so). Abraham Lincoln decreed that all slaves were free in the emancipation proclamation. Many slaves set their tools down and walk away. Many however listened to the old master who managed to convince them that they would perish if they left their state of slavery and for fear did not leave. They never counted on the fact that they were judicially freed.

Many believers today remain enslaved to sin for fear that they have never been set free. The fact is, Jesus did everything that was necessary for our freedom when He died on the cross. He condemned sin in the flesh. If you will count on this by faith (that you died with Christ) and walk away from your old master, present yourself to God as one alive unto him you will begin to experience the purpose of your new nature, your new birthright as a son and heir of God.

For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1 ESV

James 1:14

Verses 2-4 talked about counting on the facts that God is working things (through the trials) for our maturity. If one lacks wisdom (one who finds he could be deceived) is to go to God asking in faith.  God will give it to him.

The contrast is given now of one who is enticed by the flesh. He has knowingly or unknowingly been deceived by the flesh and has fallen prey to temptation.  This temptation has the appearance of good and uses things that are attractive to bait us.

Fishing has deception implied. We use worms, shiny spinners, lures and other  things fish love. We catch fish by tempting it with the bait, deceiving them into thinking the bait is the real deal, when really there is a hook hidden within. The fish relies on what his senses tell him and he takes the bait. Bam! The hook is set! The fish is as good as dead.

When our sin nature, Satan and the world goes fishing, they use things we love. Things that are nice, shiny and yummy on the outside but within lies the hook. Temptation comes to us straight for the heart, in the form of something we desire.  This is the whole nature of temptation, since it uses deception. If we trust and rely on our senses, we will be enticed and will fall prey to temptation. Bam! The hook is set!

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8 ESV

James would advise us to not trust our eyes, but ask God for wisdom. Don’t follow your heart since it is easily deceived. Don’t trust your senses, but trust God at His word. When you are faced with trials, don’t be tempted to take matters into your hands but consider it all joy as you trust God through it, count on the fact that God uses trials to produce blessing in us if we’ll trust Him through them.

Sometimes when trials come our way, we can get our trust off of God and on ourselves. This immediately causes us to look at things from a wrong perspective and we begin making decisions based on presuppositions and making justification for our actions. This is the wrong perspective to have. It is ego-motivated. This person has been deceived and took the hook with the bait. Bam!

Trust God today. Use the eyes of faith based on the facts of His Word. He simply will not go against His promises.  Obviously, in order to count on the promises by faith, you need to know them first. Let me finish with one promise:

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 ESV