James: True Faith Truly Works – The Wisdom Needed for Peaceful Relationships (James 3:13-18)

James 3:13-18 (NASB) 13 Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial, free of hypocrisy. 18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. To foster harmonious relationships in life, put on true godly wisdom and put off false earthly wisdom. 1) You must behave with godly wisdom for peaceful relationships (3:13, 17) 2) If you act with worldly “wisdom”, conflict will be the result (3:14-16) 3) Peaceful relationships require hard/heart work (3:18)