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Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. 15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. 18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

What does it look like if our faith produced evidence of Christ to the outside world? So far, this has been the question that James has sought to answer. However, what happens to us when that evidence begins to become attractive to others? What possible affect can the recognition that comes with following Christ have on us if we are not prepared? This week, James takes a look into what happens if we begin to apply his teachings without remaining wise in the process.

1. Wisdom describes someone with good judgment and decision

making. What are some characteristics that you would use to describe someone you know is wise? Do those characteristic describe the same things James has discussed so far throughout his book (being doers, not partial, tame tongue, etc.)?

2. v.13 | Most of the time, we think of meekness as someone being

easily imposed on or submissive. Is meekness a characteristic we listed? Why does James say that the wise person (someone who puts what James has preached into practice) shows meekness of wisdom?

3. v.14 | Ambition is another term that describes judgment and

decision making. How does it differ from wisdom? Is meek a word you would use to describe ambition?

4. v.15 | What does James say is the motivation for the wise? What is
the motivation for the ambitious? Why is it so important to figure out what our motivation is when talking about doing good works? How is this something that can be so dangerous, but so easy to miss in our church culture today?

5. v.16 | Why do jealousy and selfishness so easily create chaos?

Have you personally seen how selfish ambitions cause chaos in yourself or your church? What effect does this chaos have on ministry (or how the outside world views our faith)?

6. v.17-18 | James finishes by showing clearly what true wisdom is.

How do these characteristics describe what being meek truly means to James? Why is this so important to our faith? Why does this bring about the peace just like ambition brings about chaos?

7. True humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of

yourself less. C.S. Lewis Break up into groups and discuss how selfishness, selfish ambition, and jealousy affect you in your ministry. What does this quote say about humility vs. ambition? Talk about ways in which we can realize a need for humility and mercy so that the outcome of our ministry is the peace described here.