08: The Humility of Heavenly Wisdom – Thought Starters
“Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you” (James 4:10 NASB)
Image © Pacific Press from GoodSalt.com
[thought questions for The Humility of Heavenly Wisdom November 11, 2014]
1. “He will exalt you.” Some struggling Christian might read these words by James and say, “Okay. Small price to pay. I’ll humble myself before the Lord, and he’ll make me important in the church—and elsewhere.” Is that the apostle’s intent when he wrote these words—to provide a lesson on how to be exalted? Which situation comes closer to yours: A. You made it by climbing over other people? or B. You can never make it because people get in the way? Does rivalry have any place at all in our church? How does it manifest itself?
2. The meekness of wisdom. What did James tell us what to do with our good works? Can you and I be both meek and wise? How? Are there different varieties of wisdom? If so, is there such a thing as bad or dangerous wisdom? Is it possible to keep the commandments of God in a meek and wise way? What is the opposite of meek wisdom? How can you and I develop wisdom that is humble that keeps us from being “wise in our own conceit?
3. Two kinds of wisdom. In James 3, the apostle makes a clear cut between two kinds of wisdom. What are the two fundamental types–one good and one bad–of wisdom? Which type meets your needs in the best possible way? Do you spend enough time and energy time learning more about that type of wisdom? Can it be dangerous to know too much? Foundations Magazine puts it this way, “Often people who know a lot can’t get past that fact and as a result never gain insight into what they know.” How about that?
4. Conflict and Quarrels. How does the evil one manage to stir up God’s people so that they end up in conflict with each other? Does inter-member conflict happen more often in small churches or in ones with several hundred members? Why, do you think? How can our church-based arguments possibly be based on our sinful desires? Is it possible for us as Seventh-day Adventists to disregard and disobey the Ten Commandments? Does James in Chapter 4 have something to say about this?
5. Friendship with the World. Your lesson states that James 4:5 has been called the most difficult verse in the New Testament. What is your interpretation? Which of the Commandments are mentioned by James in the 4th chapter 4? Do our modern-day members still need to hear about the Ten Commandments and their importance in our daily lives? Why or why not? What is the relationship between grace and pride? Ellen White said, “Our great need is our only claim on God’s mercy.” What does that mean to you?
6. Submission to God. Let’s do a little editing of James’ words in James 4:7. What happens when we delete or at least put in a less prominent place the first sentence of the 7th verse of James 4? (“Submit yourselves therefore to God.”) Does anybody like the idea of submission? Even to God? Why shouldn’t submission at baptism be sufficient? What are some of the rewards of submitting totally to God every day?
(8)
“Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.” (James 4:10)
The Parable of the Guests (Luke 14:8-10) illustrates James 4:10
V8-9 "When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for someone more distinguished than you may have been invited by him, and he who invited you both will come and say to you, 'Give your place to this man,' and then in disgrace you proceed to occupy the last place.
V10 "But when you are invited, go and recline at the last place, so that when the one who has invited you comes, he may say to you, 'Friend, move up higher'; then you will have honor in the sight of all who are at the table with you.…”
The meekness of wisdom.
1. What did James tell us what to do with our good works?
To show the good works – “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.” (James 3:13)
2. Can you and I be both meek and wise?
Yes. Examples of some of the meek and wise people in the Bible:
- Abraham - He let Lot (his nephew) chose the best lot (Genesis 13:8)
- Moses - Named the meekest person on earth (Numbers 12:3)
- Jesus - He humbled Himself taking a form of a slave & even to the point of death (Philippians 2:7)
3. Are there different varieties of wisdom? If so, is there such a thing as bad or dangerous wisdom?
Yes, according to James 3:13-17, there are two Kinds of Wisdom:
(a) Wisdom from above – Pure, peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy, full of good fruit, impartial and sincere.
(b) Wisdom not from above - Bitterness, envy, selfish ambition, disorder and every evil practice.
4. Is it possible to keep the commandments of God in a meek and wise way?
Yes – Let's study the life of Jesus and see how He did it.
5. What is the opposite of meek wisdom?
The opposite of “Meek Wisdom” is “Proud Wisdom.” To differentiate the two, see (a) and (b) above.
6. How can you and I develop wisdom that is humble that keeps us from being “wise in our own conceit?
Let's study the life of Jesus, see how He carried Himself and follow in His footsteps.
The Meekness of Wisdom
the life of Christ was a life of humble simplicity, yet how infinitely exalted was his mission. Christ is our example in all things therefore; a true christian reveals true humility by showing the gentleness of Christ, by being always ready to help other, by speaking kinds words and performing unselfish acts, which elevate and ennoble the most sacred message that has come to our world.
This is a good example of humble wisdom, see extract from EGW’s The Sanctified Life pg 46,47.
And I prayed unto the LORD my God, and made my confession, and said, O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments;
- Daniel 9:4
As the time approached for the close of the seventy years' captivity, Daniel's mind became greatly exercised upon the prophecies of Jeremiah. He saw that the time was at hand when God would give His chosen people another trial; and with fasting, humiliation, and prayer, he importuned the God of heaven in behalf of Israel, in these words: "Oh Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments; we have sinned, and have committed iniquity, and have done wickedly, and have rebelled, even by departing from thy precepts and from thy judgments; neither have we hearkened unto thy servants the prophets, which spake in thy name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land" (Dan. 9:4-6).
Daniel does not proclaim his own fidelity before the Lord. Instead of claiming to be pure and holy, this honored prophet humbly identifies himself with the really sinful of Israel. The wisdom which God had imparted to him was as far superior to the wisdom of the great men of the world as the light of the sun shining in the heavens at noonday is brighter than the feeblest star. Yet ponder the prayer from the lips of this man so highly favored of Heaven. With deep humiliation, with tears and rending of heart, he pleads for himself and for his people. He lays his soul open before God, confessing his own unworthiness and acknowledging the Lord's greatness and majesty.
this is a very interesting topic i always ponder over. indeed proper humility toward God is an admission of our own weakness, sinfulness, unprofitable, and inability to obtain or accomplish by ourselves the things we need. We need help from someone far greater than we are. God knows what we need and what is good and better than we know, and He has power to do what needs done. True humility and meekness will lead us to;
1. recognize our sinfulness
2. depend on God (Matthew 18:1-4)
3. submit to God's commands
4. accept circumstances of life according to his will
5. resist error and false teaching in the lives of others
6. serve the needs and interest of others (Matthew 23:11-12)
7. help others to overcome sin (Gal 6:1)
8. work in unity, peace and harmony (James 3:12-13)
In conclusion, The life of Christ was a life of humble simplicity, yet how infinitely exalted was his mission. Christ is our example in all things.
Never forget the three powerful resources you always have available to you: love, prayer, and forgiveness with this, he will surely lead us to know our purpose on the earth and to leave a righteous life since we are imitating Christ. christ help us all. AMEN