James chapter 3 beginning in verse 13 for those of you that are here if you're able,

I'll ask you to stand. You can follow along. As I read the text, if not where you're seated, is just fine.

James is writing by the Holy Spirit in verse 13 says, who is wise in understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life,

by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast

about it or deny the truth. Such wisdom does not come down from heaven but is earthly,

unspiritual, demonic.

For where you have envy, verse 16, and selfish ambition, there you find disorder in every

evil practice.

But verse 17, the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all

pure, then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere, peacemakers who so in peace, reap a harvest of righteousness.

Let's pray if you would, please join with me.

Father in heaven, thank you so, so much for your word in this portion that we have before

us today. Lord, we're really looking forward to what it is that you're going to speak into

our lives in and through this passage. And we need for the Holy Spirit as we just got done singing, that we would have ears so that

we could listen and that we would have eyes so that we can see.

Because we don't want to miss anything that you have for us in our time together today.

So Lord, speak as you're always so faithful to, your

servants are listening. We pray in Jesus' name. Amen. And amen. You can be seated. Thank you.

So I want to talk with you today about how it is that we can discern between the wisdom

from God or the wisdom from the world.

As we just prayed, I've really been looking forward to teaching this particular passage

because God has used it in my

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