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.
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Written for the youth group devotional book.
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