Where do we find wisdom? | September 24, 2026

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Let’s Find Out Together 7 min 2 speakers 6 chapters transcribed 6 hours ago

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Where does the Bible say we can find true wisdom?

Randy Spacht 0:00

Today is September the 24th. Where do we find wisdom? Well, let's see what the book of James says. We're going to read James 1 from verse 1 to verse 18. James, a servant of God and the Lord Jesus Christ to the twelve tribes in the dispersion. Greetings. My brothers and sisters, whenever you face various trials, count it all joy because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. Let endurance complete its work so that you may be complete and whole, lacking in nothing. If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given you. But ask in faith, never doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.

How do trials produce endurance and joy according to James 1:2‑4?

Randy Spacht 0:50

For the doubter, being double-minded and unstable in every way, must not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Let the brother or sister of humble means boast in having a high position, and the rich in having been humbled, because the rich will disappear like a flower in the field, for the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the field. Its flower fails and its beauty perishes. It's the same way with the rich. In the midst of a busy life, they will wither away. Blessed is anyone who endures temptation, for such a one has stood the test and will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. No one, when tempted, should say, I'm being tempted by God, for God cannot be tempted by evil, and he himself tempts no one.

Randy Spacht 1:48

but one is tempted by one's own desire being lured and enticed by it. Then, when desire is conceived, it engenders sin, and sin, when it's fully grown, brings birth to death. Don't be deceived, my beloved brothers and sisters.

What does James teach about asking God for wisdom and the role of faith?

Randy Spacht 2:09

Every generous act of giving with every perfect gift is from above. coming down from the father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change in fulfillment of his own purpose he gave birth to us by the word of truth so that we would become a kind of first fruits of his creatures we're starting the book of james Different from the other epistles that we've studied, all of which seem to be directed at one specific church, James, in its introduction, is to a wide variety of churches, to all of the churches located in the dispersion. It's a collection of writings, a collection of sermons for the church. Now James is apparently the half-brother of Jesus, a leader of the early church.

Randy Spacht 3:11

Here in the first 18 verses, he jumps from topic to topic, but each topic that he hits, he will develop later in his book. Verses two to four talk about tests or trials. He says, trials produce maturity, so be glad when you have them. Verse five talks about wisdom. He says, ask God for it.

Why does James contrast the humble and the proud, the poor and the rich?

Randy Spacht 3:40

Verses six to eight talks about faith. When you ask God for wisdom, do it in faith, because if you have faith, you'll receive. If you don't have faith, you're wishy-washy, you won't get anything. verses 9 to 11 talk about the distinction between the humble and the proud the poor and the rich the one who appears humble should be proud the one who appears proud should be humble verse 12 say that says that trials brings their own reward. And then verses 13 to 15 say that a trial is different from a temptation. Now, the same word can be translated as trial or temptation. he makes a difference here he says when god sends it it's a trial it's not a temptation a trial is not a temptation temptation leads to sin but a trial on the other hand

Randy Spacht 4:47

produces a reward for those who endure it. Verses 16 to 18 talk about receiving God's good gifts.

How does James differentiate between trials, temptations, and personal desire?

Randy Spacht 4:59

It comes by the word of truth so that we can flourish among God's creatures. Now, you get the idea. This is very much like the book of Proverbs. The opening of the book of Proverbs also jumps around. Let's read Proverbs 2, 1 to 15.

Emily Herrera 5:22

My child, if you accept my words and treasure up my commandments within you, making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding, if you indeed cry out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God, for the Lord gives wisdom.