James 3:13-18 (NKJV) Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
Many highly educated people are able to testify that there have been many occasions in their lives that their wisdom has come to an impasse. All of us need the wisdom of God to deal with the ever changing environment that we live in. We need wisdom to deal with business partners, colleagues, our bosses from head office and government officials at different levels especially those of us who are working in China. We need wisdom to know when to speak, how to speak, what to say and probably at times, it is wiser not to speak at all unless required.
The passage above has differentiated earthly and heavenly wisdom for us. If wisdom is applied knowledge, then we need to have the word of God in us in order to apply biblical wisdom. The other kind of wisdom besides biblical wisdom is the spontaneous thoughts that come from God when we ask Him for wisdom as we pray. Therefore, there are three kinds of wisdom. Two are from God, and the other which is earthly wisdom is not.
• What kind of wisdom are you drawing upon to deal with the issues that you are facing daily?
• Who are you consulting to help you deal with these challenges?
• Are you able to differentiate the different kinds of wisdom and the outcomes that come with the decisions?
Does the Bible or God have the answer or the wisdom that help us deal with the different issues in life? The answer is definitely YES. Who are we consulting on those issues that we are facing if we are not asking God for wisdom? Is it earthly or heavenly wisdom? If you consult the wrong person or spirit, then the damage can be huge and have a lasting impact. The Bible says that there is safety in the multitude of counsel. It is referring to godly counsel. We need to be careful regarding whom we seek counsel from and who we have given the right to speak into our lives. God should be the first person whom we should be seeking wisdom from to deal with the challenges in life. We can share with the godly counsel if time permits regarding what we have received from the Lord. Wisdom begins with knowing God.
Sermon Series: Earthly or Heavenly Wisdom
神的智慧与世俗的智慧
雅各书3:13-18 你们中间谁是有智慧有见识的呢？他就当在智慧的温柔上显出他的善行来。你们心里若怀着苦毒的嫉妒和纷争，就不可自夸，也不可说谎话抵挡真道。这样的智慧不是从上头来的，乃是属地的，属情欲的，属鬼魔的。在何处有嫉妒、纷争，就在何处有扰乱和各样的坏事。惟独从上头来的智慧，先是清洁，后是和平，温良柔顺，满有怜悯，多结善果，没有偏见，没有假冒。并且使人和平的，是用和平所栽种的义果。
许多接受过高等教育的人们都可以见证，他们的生命中曾经有过许多次智慧走到尽头的时候。我们每个人都需要神的智慧来应对我们所处的不断变化的环境。我们需要智慧来与商业伙伴、同事、总部老板和各级政府官员打交道，尤其是我们这些在中国工作的人。我们需要智慧来知道什么时候该说，怎么说，和说什么，某些情况下甚至不开口才更明智，除
非被要求发言。
上面的经文为我们区分了属世和属天的智慧。如果智慧是应用知识，那么我们需要内化神的话语，才能应用圣经的智慧。圣经智慧之外的另一种智慧是，当我们在祷告中祈求神的智慧时，那从神而来的即时的想法。因此，智慧有三种，其中两种来自神，另一种属世的智慧则不来自于神。
• 你运用哪种智慧来处理你每天所面对的问题？
• 你会向谁讨教来帮助你应对这些挑战？
• 你能区分不同类型的智慧以及相应的决策所带来的结果吗？
圣经或神有答案或智慧帮助我们处理生活中的各种问题吗？答案绝对是肯定的。面对这些问题，我们若不寻求神的智慧，又向谁求呢？是属世的智慧还是属天的智慧？如果你咨询了错误的人或灵，那么损害可能是巨大的，并且影响深远。圣经讲到，“谋士多，人便安居”（传道书11：14）。它指的是敬虔的谋士。我们要警惕我们所求教的对象，留意自己允许什么样的人对我们的生命说话。当我们面对人生挑战需要寻求智慧时，神当居首位。如果时间允许，我们可以与敬虔的人分享我们从主那里所领受的。认识神是智慧的开端。
讲章系列：属世或属天的智慧