James: A Handbook on Holiness

The Description of Victory

James 3:17-18

General outline:

1. The Way to Holiness: The Divine Perspective 1:2-27

   1. The Trial-Temptation Complex 1:2-18

   2. The Word of God 1:19-27

2. The Principles of Holiness: The Biblical Framework 2:1-26

   1. The Law is the Structure of Holiness 2:1-13

   2. Faith is the Dynamics of Holiness 2:14-26

3. The Implementation of Holiness: The Christian Experience 3:1-4:10

   1. The Obstacle to Victory: Human Impotence 3:1-9

   2. The Nature of Victory 3:10-18

      1. The Rejection of Compromise 3:10-13

      2. The Description of Defeat 3:14-16

      3. The Description of Victory 3:17-18

James 3:17-18

The Explanation of Victory

17 But the wisdom from above

The Evidence of Victory

is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.

The Effect of Victory

18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

Discussion Questions:

1. V. 17a – We are told to "kill" sin (Rom. 8:13; Col. 3ff). Victory over sin is the will of God the Father (1 Thess. 4:3), flows from the Savior (John 15:5; Gal. 2:20; Eph. 1:3; Phil. 4:13), is applied by the Spirit (Ez. 36:27; John 7:38-39; Acts 1:8; Rom. 8:9-13; Gal. 5:22-23; Heb. 10:16), presented through scripture (Ps. 119:11; John 17:17; 1 Pet. 2:2), and received by prayer (1 Tim. 4:5; 2 Cor. 3:18). Because our salvation comes "from above," is the Christian's fight with sin ___ a winning or ___ losing battle? Or ___ a tie?

2. V. 17b – Think of an example from scripture or life of each of these traits of Godly wisdom. _____________________________________________________________________________
   _____________________________________________________________________________
   _____________________________________________________________________________
   _____________________________________________________________________________
   _____________________________________________________________________________
   __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. V. 18 – How does making peace with your neighbor today bring "a harvest of righteousness" tomorrow? ___________________________________________________________________