A Growing Faith That Works

BE WISE IN YOUR RELATIONSHIPS – Part 8 of 11

James 3:13-18

And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of goodness.  v. 18 (TLB)

Who is wise and understanding among you? v. 13a (NIV)

·    Wisdom is a lifestyle.

Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. v. 13b (NIV)

·    Lack of wisdom causes problems.

… bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, … Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. vs. 14-16 (NIV)

But 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. v. 17 (NIV)

1.  IF I'M WISE I WON’T COMPROMISE MY INTEGRITY. 

The man of integrity walks securely.  Proverbs 10:9 (NIV)

2.  IF I AM WISE I WON’T ANTAGONIZE YOUR ANGER. 

Any fool can start arguments.  The honorable thing is to stay out of them.  Proverbs 20:3 (GNB)

A wise man controls his temper.  He knows that anger causes mistakes.  Proverbs 14:29 (TLB)

3.  IF I’M WISE I WON'T MINIMIZE YOUR FEELINGS.

Kind words heal and help; cutting words wound and maim. Proverbs 15:4 (Mes)

4.  IF I’M WISE I WON'T CRITICIZE YOUR SUGGESTIONS.

It is willing to yield to reason, (Amp)

Fools think they need no advice, but the wise listen to others. Proverbs 12:15 (NLT)

5.  IF I'M WISE I WON'T EMPHASIZE YOUR MISTAKES.

Love forgets mistakes; nagging about them parts the best of friends.  Proverbs 17:9 (TLB)

6. IF I'M WISE, I WON'T DISGUISE MY WEAKNESSES.

You will never succeed in life if you try to hide your sins.  Proverbs 28:13 (GNB)

God has hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge in Christ. Colossians 2:3 (GW)