Earthly vs Heavenly Wisdom
The Book of James • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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THE WISDOM OF CHILDREN
Patrick aged 10: "Never trust a dog to watch your food."
Michael aged 14: "When your dad is mad and asks you, "Do I look stupid?" don't answer him."
Joel, aged 10: "Don't pick on your sister when she's holding a bat."
Andrew aged 9: "Puppies still have bad breath even after eating a Polo mint."
Taylia aged 11: "When your mom is mad at your dad, don't let her brush your hair."
Armir aged 9: "You can't hide a piece of broccoli in your milk."
Michael aged 14: "Never tell your mom her diet's not working."
Read James 3:13-18.
As we resume our study of James after the holiday break, James begins with a question in James 3:13 that, given the start of a new year, is a question we should be asking ourselves.
The question is this… Who Among You Is Wise And Understanding?
Who Among You Is Wise And Understanding?
Who Among You Is Wise And Understanding?
Again, like every other passage in James, James focuses on our actions.
The first thing we observe in a person who claims to be wise is their actions, and, more specifically, according to James, whether their behavior matches the image or descriptions of heavenly wisdom.
Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom.
Who among you is wise and understanding? James asks rhetorically. He then provides a quick system check to see if we're even in the ballpark of being wise from a biblical perspective by using the words “behavior” and “gentleness.”
Like many English words, the (Behavior) in Greek is much more complex in its meaning. The Greek word anastophē means “change, conversion, turning inside out or upside down.” Behind the word is the concept of “lifestyle.” It refers to the internal willingness to change one’s lifestyle to conform to God’s Word.
When we consider whether we are wise or not, the first question is: do we change the Truth to fit our lives, or do we change our lives to match the Truth?
It is important to understand that from a biblical perspective, the first sign of a wise person isn't how high his IQ is, how funny his sense of humor is, how impressive his delivery is, or how many people he talks to on Sunday morning. It is how much change has happened (or is happening regularly) in his life so that his life aligns with the truth.
If we are men and women who display wisdom, it should reflect the truths found in God’s word.
Secondly, we get the word “gentleness.”
Gentleness means being even-tempered.
We often think of gentleness as not manly, or weak even, but (Gentleness) was used to describe Jesus: he was meek (gentle) and lowly.
Power? He was omnipotent, but under control.
So, while our behavior should reflect the truth of Scripture, gentleness and even-temperedness are marks of the heart of a wise man.
Consistent with James's writing style, he offers a description or a picture of the result of Heavenly wisdom, but now he provides two descriptive comparisons of wisdom: earthly and heavenly.
A Picture of Earthly Wisdom
A Picture of Earthly Wisdom
But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth.
This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic.
For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing.
Jealousy - greedy or prideful longing for something that belongs to another
Selfish ambition - a strong drive for personal success without moral inhibitions
Lie against the truth - we saw in verse 13 that our behavior reflects the truth found in God’s word. In contrast, earthly wisdom is the complete opposite. Therefore, if jealousy and selfish ambition drive your wisdom, you are lying.
If you observe and listen carefully, people who live by earthly wisdom are experts at rationalization. The truth may convict them, but they will find a way to turn the lie into truth in their situation.
Where does earthly wisdom come from? It comes from three sources.
Earthly (the world)- The world's wisdom says to accumulate things for yourself, because the more you have, the happier you will be.
God’s wisdom says, Matthew 6:33
“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Natural (the flesh) – The wisdom of the flesh is self-seeking and self-centered. It manipulates others to achieve its desires. Movies promote it, books promote it, social media promotes it, and many psychologists today give you methods and ways to manipulate people to reach your goals. It's not about others; it's about self.
God’s wisdom says, Matthew 22:39
“The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
Demonic (the devil) - The wisdom of demons suggests that family doesn’t matter. If you disagree with them, cut them out of your life. Demonic wisdom also claims that it's your body and you have the right to do what you want, so instead of calling it a baby, they say it’s a fetus. So if it disrupts your life, abort it!
The very first institution God established was marriage, followed by family. We see this in Genesis 1:28 and Genesis 2:24. Satan will always try to destroy what God has established. He will normalize couples who cheat on each other and don't stay together; he will normalize kids who cut ties with their parents; he will normalize the murder of the innocent, all in the name of "my body, my rights" or, in some cases, in the name of mental health.
What is the outcome of Earthly Wisdom? Earthly wisdom has one outcome. It results in chaos and evil.
For the wisdom of this world is foolishness before God. For it is written, “He is the one who catches the wise in their craftiness”;
What then is Heavenly Wisdom?
A Picture of Heavenly Wisdom
A Picture of Heavenly Wisdom
But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.
And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
James gives us several descriptive words which define Heavenly wisdom…
Pure - it is void of jealousy and selfish ambition
Peaceable - Matthew 5:9
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
Peaceable is a crucial aspect of Heavenly Wisdom. In Hebrew, they use the word Shalom as a greeting, but it means much more than just a hello. It is a Hebrew term for peace that encompasses overall well-being, including harmony, security, serenity, right relationships, wholeness, health, prosperity, and success.
Gentle - merciful, tolerant, lenient
This does not mean tolerating sin.
This is not tolerating a false gospel.
But it is being tolerant or lenient toward someone who may think differently, dress differently, or look different.
Reasonable - willing to accept other perspectives.
What would happen in church if we were open to others' thoughts and ideas.
Why do we believe our way is the only way?
Mercy and good fruits- this is the idea of compassion with moral excellence
Unwavering without hypocrisy- not one who causes division
I agree with what Dave Anderson says in one of his books when he wrote, “Every Christian group should be on guard for division in its ranks. It is the one of the clues, if not the first clue, that the devil is sitting in the pew.”
What is the true measure of wisdom?
A person who is willing to change and remains self-controlled, as shown by these traits, will be a peacemaker.
They will foster harmony in their relationships, maintain proper connections with others, and get along well with those around them, especially fellow believers.
Since the person who exercises heavenly wisdom is a peacemaker, he will reap what he sows. He will sow the seeds of peace and the seeds of all the other fruits of righteousness and reap their harvest.
And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
The wisest man to ever live on earth besides Jesus was King Solomon. Before his wives and concubines bewitched him, Solomon was an author, diplomat, poet, songwriter, king, philosopher, philanthropist, financier, architect, and engineer. He was a man of royal blood with remarkable creative ability, a builder of God’s temple so beautiful that some consider it part of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. His name meant peace. How did Solomon accomplish so much?
Wisdom
In a prayer, Solomon asks God for wisdom so he can properly rule the people God has given him as king. God responds to his request in 2 Chronicles 1:11.
God said to Solomon, “Because you had this in mind, and did not ask for riches, wealth or honor, or the life of those who hate you, nor have you even asked for long life, but you have asked for yourself wisdom and knowledge that you may rule My people over whom I have made you king,
God gave Solomon the ability to work well with others. In God’s economy, a sign of wisdom is knowing how to get along with people. It’s not about how to obtain worldly things like money, cars, or houses. Instead, it’s about people.
The question we need to ask ourselves this morning is: Are we exercising earthly or heavenly wisdom?
I would venture to say that none of us display heavenly wisdom at all times.
How are we responding to those we work with?
Are we exercising the wisdom of the world by using selfish ambition or jealousy, or are we exercising heavenly wisdom by seeking peace, gentleness, and mercy?
How are we at home?
Are we different in how we interact with people at church compared to at home?
Do our kids and spouses see us as peacemakers or self-seekers?
How are we doing as a church?
Are we investing our time in people, or are we caught up in programs?
Are we insisting that things go our way, or are we willing to be reasonable with one another for the sake of unity?
In closing, I want to suggest two things for us.
The first step is to understand where wisdom begins. Just as Solomon did, when we seek wisdom, we must ask the wisdom-giver.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
Heavenly wisdom can only begin by seeking it from the Lord, and it only remains when we submit in complete surrender to Him.
We in ourselves cannot produce heavenly wisdom. Jeremiah 17:9 "The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick; who can understand it?”
When we submit daily, moment by moment, allowing Christ to work in our hearts and minds. Then, and only then, will we produce heavenly wisdom.
Let’s Pray.
