This document discusses the difference between useless information and practical wisdom. It examines a passage from James that talks about obtaining wisdom from God. The passage can be divided into two parts: the first addresses wisdom from God, defining it as sound judgment for daily living that comes from fearing God. The second part discusses the consequences of doubting God's intentions in imparting wisdom - those who doubt are unstable, like waves tossed about. To receive wisdom, one must ask God in faith without doubting, as doubting questions God's good character and promises.

2. Intelligence
vs.
Wisdom
James 1:5-8

3. Info: un-useful vs. practical…
•U.I. vs P.I.
•NO! Un-useful info versus Practical
•Now that we have the internet there
is an un-imaginable amount of info at
our fingertips– the problem is figuring
out what is good and bad, right or wrong, true and
false– FAKE NEWS– U.I.
•P.I. is using the information we gather to further
the Kingdom and glorify God

4. Info: un-useful vs. practical…
•Today’s passage can be divided into two parts—
•Vs 5 is part 1–Wisdom of God
•Vv 6-8 are part 2–
consequences of
doubting God’s
intent for imparting
His wisdom to us
•Lets look at the
passage, then jump in…

6. “5 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of
God, who gives to all generously and without
reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But he
must ask in faith without any doubting, for the
one who doubts is like the surf of the sea,
driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that man
ought not to expect that he will receive
anything from the Lord, 8 being a double-
minded man, unstable in all his ways.”
James 1:5-8, NASB

7. A.Wisdom from God
1. The definition ofWisdom
•Sound judgment about practical
things of daily life, in all aspects of
Christian Living
•God is the source of wisdom for
man, and it comes from fearing God

8. “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; A
good understanding have all those who do His
commandments;
His praise endures forever..”
Psalm 111:10, NASB
“And to man He said, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord,
that is wisdom; And to depart from evil is
understanding.’”
Job 28:28, NASB

9. A.Wisdom from God
1. The definition ofWisdom
•Sound judgment about practical
things of daily life, in all aspects of
Christian Living
•God is the source of wisdom for
man, and it comes from fearing God
•Wisdom isn’t info on how to get out of troubled
situations, it is insight on how to learn from life’s
difficulties!

10. A.Wisdom from God
2. Proverbs is full ofWisdom
•King Solomon
•Wisest man in all human history
•Proverbs speaks of everyday
conduct in business, family
and social relations, and elementary morality
•Wisdom is also bound in doing God’sWill

11. “6 So keep and do them, for that is your wisdom
and your understanding in the sight of the peoples
who will hear all these statutes and say, ‘Surely
this great nation is a wise and understanding
people.’ 7 For what great nation is there that has a
god so near to it as is the LORD our God whenever
we call on Him?”
Deuteronomy 4:6-7

12. A.Wisdom from God
2. Proverbs is full ofWisdom
•King Solomon
•Wisest man in all human history
•Proverbs speaks of everyday
conduct in business, family
and social relations, and elementary morality
•Wisdom is also bound in doing God’sWill
3. Paul called Jesus theWisdom of God

13. “24 …but to those who are the called, both Jews and
Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of
God. 25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than
men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.”
1 Corinthians 1:24, NASB
‘But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became
to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and
sanctification, and redemption, 31 so that, just as it is
written, “LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD.”’
1 Corinthians 1:30, NASB

14. “…Christ Himself, 3 in whom are hidden
all the treasures of wisdom and
knowledge.”
Colossians 2:2b-3, NASB

15. A.Wisdom from God
4. SO– How do we get God’s
Wisdom???
•James’ theme is “becoming a
mature Christian”– it’s our
“How-To” Manual
•Vv 2-4 las week showed the
“Concepts” to becoming mature
•Vv 5-8, the actual How-to– endV4 says “LACKING
NOTHING” andV5, how to obtain wisdom—
•Pray and read theWord!!

16. B. If we doubt…
•V6, not only wisdom for each and
every situation we fond ourselves
in, but also the main principles
behind wisdom

17. “6 But he must ask in faith without
any doubting, for the one who
doubts is like the surf of the sea,
driven and tossed by the wind.”
James 1:6, NASB

18. “6 But he must ask in faith without
any doubting, (1)for the one who
doubts is like the surf of the sea,
driven and tossed by the wind.”
James 1:6, NASB

19. “6 But he must ask in faith without
any doubting, (1)for the one who
doubts is like the surf of the sea,
driven and(2) tossed by the wind.”
James 1:6, NASB

20. B. If we doubt…
•V6, not only wisdom for each and
every situation we fond ourselves
in, but also the main principles
behind wisdom
•Doubting means “to be divided in
one’s mind, to debate– not
momentary , but an uncertainty,
or a divided allegiance
•Remember the numbers I added?

21. “6 But he must ask in faith without
any doubting, (1)for the one who
doubts is like the surf of the sea,
driven and(2) tossed by the wind.”
James 1:6, NASB

22. “6 But he must ask in faith without
any doubting, (1)for the one who
doubts is like the surf of the sea,
driven and(2) tossed by the wind.”
James 1:6, NASB

23. “6 But he must ask in faith without
any doubting, (1)for the one who
doubts is like the surf of the sea,
driven and(2) tossed by the wind.”
James 1:6, NASB

24. B. If we doubt…
•What are God’s main principles?
•God Loves people (He IS Love)
•He sent His only Son to die for us
•God forgives our sin
•God is with us, no matter what situation
comes along
•God provides all we need according to His
riches in Glory
•God keeps His promises

25. B. If we doubt…
•Charismatics will use this passage to
back up “name-it-and-claim-it”, saying
that “you don’t have” because you lack
faith
•If we doubt His wisdom, we doubt His
character
•Faith--unwavering Faith– that stands Sure
and Undisturbed in all the storms of life, is
the condition of Prevailing in Prayer

26. “23 And Jesus said to him, “‘IfYou can?’ All things
are possible to him who believes.”
Mark 9:23, NASB
“7 For that man ought not to expect that he will
receive anything from the Lord, 8 being a
double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.”
James 1:7-8, NASB

27. Take Home!
•God’s Wisdom does
not give us the power to
see into the future
•God’s Wisdom does not
give us an easy life
•God’s wisdom prepares
us to be like the Caribbean Palm
trees– unwavering and secure!!