Learning to Lean James 3:13-17 May 28, 2006 Speaker: Randal Myers

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Heavenly Wisdom

• Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his 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, of the devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. 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. - James 3:13-17
• Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. - Proverbs 3:5-6

Heavenly Wisdom requires

• Complete confidence
  • Trust in the LORD with all your heart... - Proverbs 3:5a
  • What does it mean to "trust" God?
    • To, without reservation, put our full weight on God, depending on Him and Him alone to sustain us.
  • Abraham is a great example of developing total trust in God.
• Sacrifice Self
  • ...and lean not on your own understanding... - Proverbs 3:5b
  • We have to come to the realization that we just are incapable of understanding some things.
    • There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death. - Proverbs 14:12
    • "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." - Isaiah 55:8-9
  • In order for us to walk in the heavenly wisdom of God, we must get out of the way.
• Apparent Awareness
  • ...in all your ways acknowledge him... - Proverbs 3:6a
  • Acknowledging God in all our ways means two primary things:
    • We must be constantly aware of God's presence and involvement in our lives.
      • Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me," even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. - Psalm 139:7-12
    • We must be willing to give God the credit for His hand on our lives.
  • Our awareness of God must be apparent to those around us.

Conclusion

• If I walk in God's wisdom through
  • Complete confidence,
  • Sacrificing self,
  • and Apparent awareness,
• He has made a promise.

...and he will make your paths straight. - Proverbs 3:6b

• He will clear the path before you, make it known and make it possible for you to travel.

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