LESSON #8

Wisdom At Work

James 3:13-18

James is a study in contrasts. In chapter 1, James writes that there are two kinds of problems - trials from God which make us stronger and temptations from Satan which lead us into sin. In chapter 2, James speaks of two kinds of faith - dead faith that will not save and dynamic faith that is able to save. Now, in chapter 3, James contrasts two kinds of wisdom - "wisdom that is from above" (v. 17) and "wisdom that descendeth not from above" (v. 15). It is important to be wise. It is just as important to have the right kind of wisdom.

This section begins with a question: "Who among you is wise and has knowledge?" (v. 13a). Are you able to recognize a wise person when you see him or her? What do you look for? Does the church need wise people? On what basis should a church choose leaders? If you needed spiritual counsel what kind of person would you seek out? Wisdom is very important! God wants His people to be wise. Prov. 4:7 "Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding." Prov.8:11 "For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it." Jesus commanded his disciples to "be wise as serpents" (Matthew 10:16). In his epistle, James has already mentioned wisdom once. James 1:5 "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." In this text, he amplifies the subject of wisdom by speaking of the two kinds of wisdom and the differences between them.

A Contrast In Origins

There Is The Wisdom Of The World, v.15. There is a "worldly wisdom." James says that it does not descend from above. Earlier in his epistle, he told his readers that "every good and perfect gift is from above and comes down from the Father" (1:17). That means that this kind of wisdom is not from God and is not a good gift. Paul also wrote of the wisdom of the world. 1 Cor. 1:20 "Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?" 1 Cor. 2:6 "Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought." If it doesn't come from God, where does it come from? The answer is in James 3:15. It is "earthly (from the world), sensual (from the flesh), devilish (from the devil)." These three - the world, the flesh, the devil - are the main enemies of God and Christians. They are the source of the wisdom of the world. This kind of wisdom is based on human reasoning. It seems to be clever. It loves to argue and dispute. It is wisdom which will come to nothing. It is the kind of wisdom exemplified at the tower of Babel when man thought he was so smart that he could build a tower that would gain him access to heaven.

There Is Wisdom From Above, v. 17a. Paul spoke of it also. 1 Cor. 1:24 "Christ ... the wisdom of God." 1 Cor. 1:30 "But ...ye are in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom ..". 1 Cor. 2:7 "But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory." This kind of wisdom does not come from reasoning but from revelation! It is foolishness to the unsaved person. However, it will endure forever. In seeking and studying wisdom, we must first discover that there are two kinds of wisdom and that they have a contrast in origins.

A Contrast In Operations

Not only is there a contrast between the two kinds of wisdom in origins, there is also a contrast in operations. How does the wisdom of the world operate? The answer is in v.14. With this wisdom there is bitter envying, that is, being discontent with the good fortune of others. It was envy that led Cain to become the world's first murderer. Sarah envied Hagar and brought great distress to Abraham's family. It was envy that led Joseph's brothers to sell him into slavery. It was envy that destroyed King Saul. Blessed are they that rejoice when others are blessed! With this wisdom there is strife. This word means a partisan spirit, that is, promoting rivalry, lobbying others to support you against another person. These kinds of things lead to disunity and divisions within a church. "Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory" (Phil. 2:3). There is also, with this kind of wisdom, the tendency to boast and deceive. James says "glory not and lie not against the truth."

 How does the wisdom from above operate? Notice verse 17. It is pure (having the right answers; not tainted by worldliness or selfish gain; righteous; uncontaminated; holy), peaceable (having the right attitude, not argumentative), gentle (approachable; having "sweet reasonableness"; not harsh, critical or inconsiderate), easy to be entreated (compliant; agreeable; not stubborn, obstinate or headstrong), full of mercy (not critical, overbearing nor prone to judge or blame; forgiving), full of good fruits, without partiality (with fairness and equality), and without hypocrisy (with genuineness and sincerity). What a list of the qualities of a person with godly wisdom! Verse 13 sums it all up. A wise person is recognizable by his "works" which come from a "good conversation" (virtuous life-style or behavior) with an attitude of "meekness" (humility).

A Contrast In Outcomes

With the two kinds of wisdom there is a difference in origins, a difference in how they operate, and, according to verses 16 and 18, a difference in results. In the long run, worldly wisdom produces problems, v. 16. There is "confusion" (the word means "disorder, instability") and "every evil (worthless) work". On the other hand, God's wisdom produces peace, v. 18. The picture is of a garden. The seed is wisdom. The soil is peace. The sowers are "them that make peace". The fruit is righteousness.

How can we receive the wisdom that is from above? First, by receiving Christ who is "the wisdom of God", see I Cor. 1:24. Furthermore, we receive wisdom by asking God, see James 1:5. Daniel 1:17 "As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom." Finally, we receive wisdom by studying the Scriptures. Paul reminded Timothy that the scriptures "are able to make thee wise" (II Tim. 3:15). In the third century, a man named Cyprian wrote to his friend, Donatus, "It is a bad world, Donatus, an incredibly bad world. But I have discovered in it a quiet and good people who have learned the great secret of life. They have found a joy and wisdom that is a thousand times better than any of the pleasures of our sinful life. They are despised and persecuted, but they care not. They have overcome the world. These people, Donatus, are Christians ... and I have become one of them."

Proverbs 3:13 "Happy is the man that findeth wisdom ..."