Notes of Faith May 17, 2026
Pastor’s Pen Pulpit Studies in James
March 23, 2003
“WISE WORKS”
James 3:13-18
In our studies we have seen that James has been stressing the importance of works as the expression of true, saving faith. In today’s passage we see the importance of the quality of these works – are they wise or foolish? True wisdom comes from God and only those with Godly wisdom will live a life that is well pleasing to God.
If you are wise and understand God’s ways, live a life of steady goodness so that only good deeds will pour forth. And if you don’t brag about the good you do, then you will be truly wise! (James 3:13 NLT)
So we see our works or good deeds are to be:
• The result of true knowledge and true knowledge comes from God. That knowledge is the basis for wisdom and understanding.
• Shown in our daily life. Our day-to-day lifestyle reflects the true character of our lives.
• Done in humility. We are not to “toot our own horns” about our good deeds!
Foolish works are the result of foolish wisdom.
But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your hearts, don’t brag about being wise. That is the worst kind of lie. For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and motivated by the Devil. For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and every kind of evil. (vv. 13-16)
Foolish wisdom is:
• characterized by bitter jealousy, selfish ambition, arrogance and lies.
• not from God but from Satan.
• produces disorder and every kind of evil.
But the wisdom that comes from heaven, is first of all pure. It is also peace-loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no partiality and is always sincere. And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of goodness. (vv. 17-18)
On the contrary, wise wisdom is:
• characterized by purity, peace-loving, gentle, reasonable, merciful, fruitful and without hypocrisy.
• from above. It is God’s wisdom.
• produces a harvest of goodness, sown in peace.
Do you have a genuine faith today? How do you know it is genuine? Is the Holy Spirit producing good works in your life and is God’s wisdom evident? Let’s take inventory of our lives by applying II Corinthians 13:5 – Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. Test yourself. If you cannot tell that Jesus Christ is in you, it means you have failed the test. I would love to see each of you get an A+! God bless.
Love to all,
Pastor Charles Covington
John 13:34-35
34 "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 "By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."
Rom 12:10-13
10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; 11 not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12 rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, 13 contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality.
Rom 12:14-17
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 16 Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. 17 Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men.
Rom 13:8
8 Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.
Rom 14:19
19 So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another.
Rom 15:5-6
Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus, 6 so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Cor 12:18-26
God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired. 19 If they were all one member, where would the body be? 20 But now there are many members, but one body. 21 And the eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of you"; or again the head to the feet, "I have no need of you." 22 On the contrary, it is much truer that the members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary; 23 and those members of the body which we deem less honorable, on these we bestow more abundant honor, and our less presentable members become much more presentable, 24 whereas our more presentable members have no need of it. But God has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to that member which lacked, 25 so that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. 26 And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.
Eph 4:1-3
Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, 3 being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Eph 4:31-32
Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.
Phil 2:3-4
Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; 4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.
Col 3:16
Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God
James 5:16
confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.
1 Peter 4:10
As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
If we do these things we will fulfill the commands of God and be pleasing in His sight! Let us endeavor to LOVE GOD and LOVE OTHERS!
Pastor Dale