Higher Learning

Peace of mind depends upon whom you allow to give you a piece of their mind. If you spend time learning from folks that are full of bitterness and strife, your mind will become earthly sensual and devilish, robbing you of inner peace.

Facebook is littered by ideas that can poison our minds and corrupt our thinking. Even folks who claim to be speaking in the name of God and the Bible can be spewing bitterness and hatred. How can I avoid taking the low road?

Tonight’s passage gives us a clear checklist helping us recognize heavenly wisdom. Let us look for these qualities both in the things we hear and the things we say. Let us pursue Higher Learning.

James 3:17 KJV

But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

Heavenly Wisdom Is Pure.

Above everything else.

Pure = holy

‎Dr. Samuel Zwemer mentions the fact that false teaching always produces strife and envy and trouble. He says, “You cannot explain the wickedness of the world as merely human. It is human plus something, and that is why non-Christian religions are successful. They are supernatural, but from beneath.” Anything that causes divisions and strife—it matters not which church it is in—is not of the Lord, you may be sure of that. You may boast of your fundamentalism, but if you are causing strife, you are sailing under false colors.

McGee, J. V. (1997). Thru the Bible commentary (electronic ed.) (Jas 3:17). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

‎3:17 “pure” The term hagnos has the same Greek root as “holy” (hagios). It implies that it is free from ethical defilement (cf. 4:8). Verses 17–18 are a list of qualities of godly wisdom as vv. 14–16 describe ungodly wisdom. True wisdom is known by its deeds. Paul’s definition of true and false wisdom is seen in I Cor. 1:18–3:23.

Utley, R. J. D. (2000). Vol. Volume 11: Jesus' Half-Brothers Speak: James and Jude. Study Guide Commentary Series (49). Marshall, TX: Bible Lessons International.

Heavenly Wisdom Is Peaceable

‎Then peaceable (ἐπειτα εἰρηνικη [epeita eirēnikē]). Old adjective from εἰρηνη [eirēnē] (peace), loving peace here, bringing peace in Heb. 12:11 (only N.T. examples). But clearly great as peace is, purity (righteousness) comes before peace and peace at any price is not worth the having. Hence Jesus spurned the devil’s peace of surrender.

Robertson, A. (1933). Word Pictures in the New Testament (Jas 3:17). Nashville, TN: Broadman Press.

‎ “peaceable” This is the Greek term eirēnē. It was used in the Septuagint to translate the Hebrew term shalom. In the OT “peace” is usually associated with (1) cessation of war and hostilities and the promotion of harmony and (2) the presence of health, prosperity and wholeness, ultimately in this sense of the reign of the Messiah and eschatological salvation (cf. Rom. 15:13). The form of the word used here also occurs in Heb. 12:11.

Utley, R. J. D. (2000). Vol. Volume 11: Jesus' Half-Brothers Speak: James and Jude. Study Guide Commentary Series (49). Marshall, TX: Bible Lessons International.

Hebrews 12:11 KJV

Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.

Romans 15:13 KJV

Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

Heavenly Wisdom Is Gentle

‎ “gentle” The word epiekēs means “sweet reasonableness” or “forbearance.” It does not push its own rights or opinions without listening to others and respecting others (cf. Phil. 4:5; I Tim. 3:3; Titus 3:2; I Pet. 2:18).

Utley, R. J. D. (2000). Vol. Volume 11: Jesus' Half-Brothers Speak: James and Jude. Study Guide Commentary Series (49). Marshall, TX: Bible Lessons International.

Philippians 4:5 KJV

Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

Heavenly Wisdom Is Easy to Talk to

‎ “reasonable” This may be paired with “gentle.” It implies a willingness to hear and respond appropriately, not selfishly or egotistically.

Utley, R. J. D. (2000). Vol. Volume 11: Jesus' Half-Brothers Speak: James and Jude. Study Guide Commentary Series (49). Marshall, TX: Bible Lessons International.

Heavenly Wisdom is Full of Mercy and Good Fruits.

‎Mercy (ἐλεους [eleous]). Practical help (2:13, 16).

Robertson, A. (1933). Word Pictures in the New Testament (Jas 3:17). Nashville, TN: Broadman Press.

‎full of mercy” This is not just feelings but actions. Biblical love and compassion issue in active love and service, not sentimentalities. This term is linked with the next one and both speak of the care of the poor, needy, and alienated of 2:15–16. Wisdom without works is also dead!

Utley, R. J. D. (2000). Vol. Volume 11: Jesus' Half-Brothers Speak: James and Jude. Study Guide Commentary Series (49). Marshall, TX: Bible Lessons International.

good fruits—contrasted with “every evil work,” Jam 3:16.

Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., & Brown, D. (1997). Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (Jas 3:17). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

‎Good fruits (καρπων ἀγαθων [karpōn agathōn]). Καλοι καρποι [Kaloi karpoi] in Matt. 7:17f. Good deeds the fruit of righteousness (Phil. 1:11).

Robertson, A. (1933). Word Pictures in the New Testament (Jas 3:17). Nashville, TN: Broadman Press.

‎“good fruits” This is linked with “full of mercy.” This is a concern and care for those in need. In Phil. 1:9–11 it is connected to love, knowledge, and discernment.

Utley, R. J. D. (2000). Vol. Volume 11: Jesus' Half-Brothers Speak: James and Jude. Study Guide Commentary Series (49). Marshall, TX: Bible Lessons International.

Heavenly Wisdom is Not Partial

Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words Partial, Partiality

C. Adjective.

adiakritos (ἀδιάκριτος, 87) primarily signifies “not to be parted” (a, negative, and an adjectival form akin to A), hence, “without uncertainty,” or “indecision,” Jas. 3:17, KJV, “without partiality” (marg. “wrangling”), RV, “without variance” (marg., “Or, doubtfulness Or, partiality”). See VARIANCE.¶ In the Sept., Prov. 25:1.¶

James 1:8 KJV

A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

Heavenly Wisdom is Not Hypocritical.

‎Without hypocrisy (ἀνυποκριτος [anupokritos]). Late and rare verbal adjective (alpha privative and ὑποκρινω [hupokrinō]). Not hypocritical, sincere, unfeigned (Rom. 12:9).

Robertson, A. (1933). Word Pictures in the New Testament (Jas 3:17). Nashville, TN: Broadman Press.

Romans 12:9 KJV

Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.

Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room. One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs. His bed was next to the room’s only window. The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back.

The men talked for hours on end. They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation. And every afternoon when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his room-mate all the things he could see outside the window. The man in the other bed began to live for those one-hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and color of the world outside.

The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake. Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats.

Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every color of the rainbow. Grand old trees graced the landscape, and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance. As the man by the window described all this in exquisite detail, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine the picturesque scene.

One warm afternoon the man by the window described a parade passing by. Although the other man couldn’t hear the band - he could see it in his mind’s eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words.

Then unexpectedly, a sinister thought entered his mind. Why should the other man alone experience all the pleasures of seeing everything while he himself never got to see anything? It didn’t seem fair.

At first thought the man felt ashamed. But as the days passed and he missed seeing more sights, his envy eroded into resentment and soon turned him sour. He began to brood and he found himself unable to sleep. He should be by that window - that thought, and only that thought now controlled his life.

Late one night as he lay staring at the ceiling, the man by the window began to cough. He was choking on the fluid in his lungs. The other man watched in the dimly lit room as the struggling man by the window groped for the button to call for help. Listening from across the room he never moved, never pushed his own button which would have brought the nurse running in. In less than five minutes the coughing and choking stopped, along with that the sound of breathing. Now there was only silence - deathly silence.

The following morning the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths. When she found the lifeless body of the man by the window, she was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take it away.

As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone. Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the world outside. Finally, he would have the joy of seeing it all himself. He strained to slowly turn to look out the window beside the bed.

It faced a blank wall!

The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased roommate who had described such wonderful things outside this window.

The nurse responded that the man was blind and could not even see the wall. She said, "Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you."