Are you wise or are you wise, there’s a difference. That is to say Biblically speaking there are two distinct kinds of wisdom. Like many of the dichotomies of Scripture the author James follows a typical formula. There is wisdom from God and the wisdom of the world. It’s a battle of two kingdoms, but only one is true and only one will win. In lieu of that, then, James gives us a practical exhortation on wisdom.
Wisdom is not just about intellectual knowledge. It’s not just about accumulation of facts. Wisdom deals with the proper application of those facts. So there are smart people and there are wise people, and they are not necessarily the same. For James wisdom is evidence of a genuine faith in Christ. The New Testament teaches us that Christ is “the wisdom of God” (1 Cor. 1:24), and in Him “are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Col. 2:3). So in one sense wisdom may be evidence of a relationship with Jesus. For James, then, just as you may evidence you are a Christian by your works, so you may evidence you are a Christian by your wisdom.
Here James spells out some very practical ethical instructions regarding wisdom. In chapter 3 he writes:
13 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. (James 3:13-18)
What does it mean to have wisdom? James spells it out practically in four points. A brief look at each will be helpful.
First, James says if you have wisdom evidence it by your conduct. Wisdom evidences itself in righteous living. Any wisdom that does not result in ethical living is devoid of spiritual value. Any wisdom, James will tell us, that does not present itself in godliness is not wisdom from God. Think carefully, then, about your life. How do you live? How do you speak, how do you present yourself? Would such conduct and lifestyle present to the world that you have a wisdom from God?
Secondly, James says that godly wisdom is a “meek” or “gentle” wisdom. There may be no greater distinction between wisdom of man and the wisdom of God than this one. Wisdom from God is gentle, it is not self-seeking or arrogant. It is humble. It is submissive to God’s will first and foremost. In Galatians 5:23 we see that gentleness is a fruit of the Spirit. This humility is evidence of relation to the Spirit of God. A proud man knows nothing of the gospel, but a humble man may in fact possess the wisdom that is from above.
James shows us the contrast in verses 14-16. He demonstrates the difference between gentle wisdom and “earthly” wisdom. Earthly wisdom, or demonic wisdom as James also calls it, is that which produces jealously and selfish ambition. If we use our wisdom to get only for ourselves, promote ourselves, and seek for nothing but our advancement, then James says it is not wisdom “that comes down from above.” This is a “false wisdom,” James writes.
Again, it is matter of a life that evidences wisdom. And a focus on self does not evidence Godly wisdom. John MacArthur writes of this passage:
There is nothing more characteristic of fallen, unredeemed men than being dominated by self. James is therefore saying that, if a person claims to belong to God and to have the wisdom of God, but his life is motivated and characterized by selfish ambition and bitter jealousy, he is simply lying against the truth. Whatever he might claim, he cannot be saved. He is a living lie. (James, 172)
This false wisdom, James warns, is demonic. The three great enemies of the Christian are the world, the flesh, and the devil. That’s exactly what this wisdom is. It is earthly, natural, and demonic. But the last of the three is important here to touch on.
Satan has his own form of wisdom. He is constantly tempting us to apply our knowledge in ways that glorify ourselves and deny God’s glory. So he told Adam and Eve that they would become wise like God if they disobeyed Him. It was Satanic wisdom he was offering. Likewise he convinces us that we ought to pursue our own godlike forms in the world. It is demonic wisdom and it is a lie from Satan himself. Paul warns the church at Corinth of this wisdom, fearful that they will be led astray from the “purity and simplicity” of their devotion to Christ.
In the final part of James’ ethical exhortation, which is what a paraenesis is, the author outlines for us what godly wisdom looks like and what it produces. He says in verses 17-18 that godly wisdom produces purity, peace, gentleness, reasonableness, mercy, and good deeds. You can mark the type of wisdom you have by what it produces. If it produces that which pleases God, builds up the church, and works for the good of others then it is wisdom from God.
What kind of wisdom do you have, friends? It’s a tough question to answer, not because we can’t know, but because we don’t like to analyze ourselves. Often we don’t like what we see. In the context of this passage James has just finished discussing the use of the tongue. Certainly the way you talk to others can be evidence of how wise you are. Many of us won’t like the answers to that evaluation. But if we don’t have godly wisdom then we have the alternative, demonic wisdom. And we have seen from Scripture and from life what the results of that are.
Pursue the wisdom that is from above friends, and give proper evidence, then, that you are indeed wise according to God’s standards. Like good works, faith without wisdom is dead!
Sparrow & Heart Soul Care 