The Two Wisdoms: Earthly vs. Heavenly

Bible Passage: James 3:13–18

James 3:13–18 “Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.”

Big Idea: We must choose to seek wisdom from above to cultivate peace and righteousness in our lives, reflecting the character of Christ.

Imagine two friends who both claim to give advice. One friend offers insights rooted in experience and a genuine desire for your well-being, while the other gives self-serving input based on personal gain. This situation reflects the two types of wisdom in Proverbs: godly wisdom serves others and seeks truth, while earthly wisdom often pursues individual success. Which friend's counsel would you choose? The answer can shape our lives significantly.

1. Prove Your Wisdom or the Test of Wisdom

James 3:13-14

James 3:13 “Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.”

Wise

Romans 16:19 “For your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil.” I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil.”

Ephesians 5:15–17 “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”

Paul tells us to pay careful attention as to how we walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. He contrasts foolishness to wisdom and shows wisdom is to understand the will of the Lord is.

3 - Parts of Wisdom

knowledge - is knowing truth, having the facts and the correct information about the situation.

understanding - is the ability to translate meaning from the facts.

application - is applying what you know and understand to your specific situation.

the “wise person” is viewed not so much as a leader but as one having insight into the ways of God. Most often, of course, “wise” describes the person who follows the ways of God (over eighty times in Job, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes) - Douglas J. Moo, The Letter of James, ed. D. A. Carson, Second Edition., Pillar New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2021), 212.

Understanding

carries the idea of specialized knowledge, such as that of a highly skilled tradesman or professional - John F. MacArthur Jr., James, MacArthur New Testament Commentary (Chicago: Moody Press, 1998), 168.

Good conduct let him show

careful application of knowledge to personal living - John F. MacArthur Jr., James, MacArthur New Testament Commentary (Chicago: Moody Press, 1998), 168.

Meekness of wisdom

the Greek terms do not connote weakness but rather power under control. - John F. MacArthur Jr., James, MacArthur New Testament Commentary (Chicago: Moody Press, 1998), 169.

Of Moses - Now the man Moses was very meek, more than all people who were on the face of the earth - The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Nu 12:3.

Of Jesus - Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. - The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Mt 11:29.

Summary: Those who trust in Christ demonstrate our understanding of wisdom by how we live our lives. We have the ability to restrain our thoughts, words and actions because of the knowledge of the gospel of Christ and his finished work on the cross. Trusting and focusing on Gods will to bring him honor and glory. Wisdom is the means by which the Godly can discern and carry our the will of God.

2. Pitfalls of Earthly Wisdom

James 3:14–16 “But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.”

Bitter jealousy

a feeling of unhappiness and anger because someone has something or someone that you want. -https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/jealousy

person is, in effect, living a lie: claiming to be wise but conducting themselves in a way that denies that claim - Douglas J. Moo, The Letter of James, ed. D. A. Carson, Second Edition., Pillar New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2021), 214.

Jealousy is used in three senses in Scripture;

as intolerance of rivalry or unfaithfulness;

God is jealous for His people Israel or God is intolerant of rival gods (Exodus 20:5; Exodus 34:14; Deuteronomy 4:24; Deuteronomy 5:9 ) One expression of God's jealousy for Israel is God's protection of His people from enemies. Thus God's jealousy includes avenging Israel (Ezekiel 36:6; Ezekiel 39:25; Nahum 1:2; Zechariah 1:14; Zechariah 8:2 ).

Man is jealous - Phineas is described as jealous with God's jealousy (Numbers 25:11 ,Numbers 25:11,25:13 , sometimes translated zealous for God). Elijah is similarly characterized as jealous (or zealous) for God (1Kings 19:10,1 Kings 19:14 ). In the New Testament Paul speaks of his divine jealousy for the Christians at Corinth (2 Corinthians 11:2 ).

as a disposition suspicious of rivalry or unfaithfulness

Numbers 5:11-30 concerns the process by which a husband suspicious of his wife's unfaithfulness might test her. Most often human jealousy involves hostility towards a rival.

Numbers 5:11–22  11 And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 12 “Speak to the people of Israel, If any man’s wife goes astray and breaks faith with him, 13 if a man lies with her sexually, and it is hidden from the eyes of her husband, and she is undetected though she has defiled herself, and there is no witness against her, since she was not taken in the act, 14 and if the spirit of jealousy comes over him and he is jealous of his wife who has defiled herself, or if the spirit of jealousy comes over him and he is jealous of his wife, though she has not defiled herself, 15 then the man shall bring his wife to the priest and bring the offering required of her, a tenth of an ephah of barley flour. He shall pour no oil on it and put no frankincense on it, for it is a grain offering of jealousy, a grain offering of remembrance, bringing iniquity to remembrance.

16 “And the priest shall bring her near and set her before the LORD. 17 And the priest shall take holy water in an earthenware vessel and take some of the dust that is on the floor of the tabernacle and put it into the water. 18 And the priest shall set the woman before the LORD and unbind the hair of the woman’s head and place in her hands the grain offering of remembrance, which is the grain offering of jealousy. And in his hand the priest shall have the water of bitterness that brings the curse. 19 Then the priest shall make her take an oath, saying, ‘If no man has lain with you, and if you have not turned aside to uncleanness while you were under your husband’s authority, be free from this water of bitterness that brings the curse. 20 But if you have gone astray, though you are under your husband’s authority, and if you have defiled yourself, and some man other than your husband has lain with you, 21 then’ (let the priest make the woman take the oath of the curse, and say to the woman) ‘the LORD make you a curse and an oath among your people, when the LORD makes your thigh fall away and your body swell. 22 May this water that brings the curse pass into your bowels and make your womb swell and your thigh fall away.’ And the woman shall say, ‘Amen, Amen.’

Joseph's brothers were jealous ( Genesis 37:11 ) and thus sold their brother into slavery (Acts 7:9 ). In Acts 17:5 a jealous group among the Jews incited the crowd against Paul.

Genesis 37:11 “And his brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the saying in mind.”

Acts 7:9 ““And the patriarchs, jealous of Joseph, sold him into Egypt; but God was with him”

Acts 17:15 “Those who conducted Paul brought him as far as Athens, and after receiving a command for Silas and Timothy to come to him as soon as possible, they departed.”

Jealousy, like envy, is common in vice lists ( Romans 13:13; 2 Corinthians 12:20; Galatians 5:20-21 ). Jealousy is regarded as worse than wrath or anger (Proverbs 27:4 ). James regarded jealousy (or bitter envy) as characteristic of earthy, demonic wisdom and as the source of all disorder and wickedness.

Romans 13:13 “Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy.”

2 Corinthians 12:20 “For I fear that perhaps when I come I may find you not as I wish, and that you may find me not as you wish—that perhaps there may be quarreling, jealousy, anger, hostility, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder.”

Galatians 5:20–21 “idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

Proverbs 27:4 “Wrath is cruel, anger is overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy?”

as hostility towards a rival or one believed to enjoy an advantage. Sense 3 approximates envy.

Selfish Ambition

ambition, self-seeking, rivalry,” self-will being an underlying idea in the word; ... “seeking to win followers,” - W. E. Vine, Merrill F. Unger, and William White Jr., Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words (Nashville, TN: T. Nelson, 1996), 220.

Hearts

Heart—According to the Bible, the heart is the centre not only of spiritual activity, but of all the operations of human life.

The heart is the “home of the personal life,” and hence a man is designated, according to his heart

The heart is also the seat of the conscience (Rom. 2:15). It is naturally wicked (Genesis 8:21, Jeremiah 17:9), and hence it contaminates the whole life and character (Matt. 12:34; 15:18; comp. Eccl. 8:11; Ps. 73:7). Hence the heart must be changed, regenerated (Ezek. 36:26; 11:19; Ps. 51:10–14), before a man can willingly obey God.

The process of salvation begins in the heart by the believing reception of the testimony of God, while the rejection of that testimony hardens the heart (Psalm 95:8; Prov. 28:14; 2 Chr. 36:13). “Hardness of heart evidences itself by light views of sin; partial acknowledgment and confession of it; pride and conceit; ingratitude; unconcern about the word and ordinances of God; inattention to divine providences; stifling convictions of conscience; shunning reproof; presumption, and general ignorance of divine things.” - M. G. Easton, Illustrated Bible Dictionary and Treasury of Biblical History, Biography, Geography, Doctrine, and Literature (New York: Harper & Brothers, 1893), 316–317.

Earthly - wisdom that is inferior to the wisdom from God.

Unspiritual - The Greek adjective psychikos refers to what is, by nature, human—things not inspired by the Holy Spirit. Things of the flesh.

Galatians 5:20-21 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Demonic - Describes the ultimate origin of earthly wisdom, demonic or from the devil.

Acts 5:1–11 “But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, and with his wife’s knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet. But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.” When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it. The young men rose and wrapped him up and carried him out and buried him. After an interval of about three hours his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. And Peter said to her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much.” And she said, “Yes, for so much.” But Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agr…”

Disorder - denotes “a state of disorder, disturbance, confusion, tumult,” 1 Cor. 14:33; Jas. 3:16, “revolution or anarchy”; translated “tumults” in Luke 21:9 (kjv, “commotions”); 2 Cor. 6:5; 12:20. - Vine, W. E., Merrill F. Unger, and William White Jr. 1996. In Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words, 2:122. Nashville, TN: T. Nelson.

1 Corinthians 14:33 “For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints,”

Every vile practice - James describes the evil consequences of false wisdom. Earthly wisdom leads to jealousy and selfish ambition, which can culminate in a troubling situation for Christian communities. - Barry, John D., Douglas Mangum, Derek R. Brown, Michael S. Heiser, Miles Custis, Elliot Ritzema, Matthew M. Whitehead, Michael R. Grigoni, and David Bomar. 2012, 2016. Faithlife Study Bible. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.

Summary: Worldly wisdom does not come from above. It is full of bitter jealousy and selfish ambition. It is unspritual, demonic and brings about disorder and every vile practice.

3. Pursue Heavenly Wisdom

James 3:17–18 “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.”

Summary: Wisdom from above sounds like a heavenly kingdom that is upside down and backwards to the worlds ideas to wisdom. Jesus spoke of a kingdom like this in the sermon on the mount. It was contrary to any thing those who gathered around him had heard of and is contrary to the world we live in. As He sat to teach his disciples and those that had gathered he began to tell them of this place and the people who would live there. He told them how they would pursue wisdom from above to navigate the trials of life. Listen to a brief caption of His teaching that day.

Matthew 5:3–11 ““Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.”

Passage Summary: James 3:13–18, the Apostle gives us the Test of Wisdom and then, contrasts two types of wisdom: one that is earthly, unspiritual, and demonic, and another that is from above, characterized by purity, peace, gentleness, and good fruits. James tells us we test the meekness of wisdom in how our lives are lived.

Application:

Wisdom is not found information but is found in the very son of God the Lord Jesus Christ Colossians 2:3 “in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” Do you know Him? Are you growing in the knowledge of the one who possess all knowledge and wisdom?

If you know Him, how are you doing as you try prove your wisdom? Do others see your conduct showing the meekness of wisdom?

Are you chasing after the worlds wisdom that is unspiritual and demonic or are you finding the heavenly wisdom that is from above that is characterized by purity, peace, gentleness and good fruit?

You may encounter frustrating people or challenging projects that leave you feeling overwhelmed. To embody wisdom from above, approach your work with a mindset of humility and a willingness to listen. When disagreements occur, instead of reacting defensively, practice the '30-second rule': pause for thirty seconds to pray for patience and seek God's wisdom before responding. This can help you diffuse tension, maintain a Christ-centered attitude, and demonstrate grace in a high-pressure environment.

Growing in wisdom requires concentrated study, the book of Proverbs was written by Solomon to his sons who were princes in the castle of how to live. We would do well to come under the proverbs and learn from them.