Wisdom From Above 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.

Notice that James compares 2 types of Wisdom

Godly Wisdom and Earthly/Demonic Wisdom

James 3:13 ESV

Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.

James issues a challenge to his audience. That includes us.

He wants those who think that they are wise to prove it to him.

You can say you have wisdom. You can say that you are on God’s Side, but you need to prove it.

Like he’s stated before, do the word not just hear it. Do the word, don’t just speak it. Be about what you say your about.

True wisdom has one source. True wisdom has one outcome. True Wisdom comes from God.

We can only have true wisdom when we fear the Lord.

Proverbs 1:7 ESV

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Here’s some good news. If we lack in wisdom, we can always ask God to grant us more.

James 1:5 ESV

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

God wants to give his people wisdom, because it is a good and perfect gift.

God gives good and perfect gifts. In fact, Every good and perfect gift comes from God (1:17)

James 3:13 ESV

Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.

We demonstrate our wisdom when we have good conduct out of obedience to God.

James wants to test the legitimacy of their claim/our claim to wisdom.

Are you practically living a life of holiness/righteousness/sacrifice/humility?

If not, you are not living a life of wisdom.

Good conduct is the baseline for if we have true wisdom.

What kind of good conduct?

Generosity, Love, Devotion, grace, mercy, partiality, control over you tongue, perseverance.

All the things spoken about during this letter.

Meekness isn’t a word we use often to describe someone who we look up to or want to emulate.

Meekness carries with it a negative connotation.

As it did in the time of this writing.

We want to be strong, confident, verbose, overpowering, larger than life.

But Jesus insists that he came to bless those who are meek.

Meekness isn’t weakness it’s humility and gratitude.

It’s realizing that God has called us. God has saved us and we have no power to do those things on our own. Its gratefulness for salvation.

Meekness is wisdom in action.

James 3:14–16 ESV

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.

Blank

The opposite of Godly wisdom is Earthly or Demonic Wisdom.

This is wisdom that acts in direct opposition to Godly wisdom.

Godly wisdom views life from an eternal perspective. Earthly/Demonic Wisdom views it from a limited Perspective.

Earthly wisdom is all about how can I get ahead, how can I come out on top, How can I have a life that is easier, more prosperous, and better.

While Godly wisdom is all about how can I make much of God. How can I promote his kingdom. How can I ensure that the message of the gospel is moving forward.

If you have bitter jealousy, selfish ambition, are boastful, and live a life of lies you are living life according to demonic wisdom.

Earthly/Demonic Wisdom is selfish. Godly wisdom is generous.

Earthly/Demonic Wisdom excludes you from access to Godly wisdom until you reach the point of humility.

We see this wisdom all over the place.

All you have to do is pick up a Self-Help book. Turn on the TV in the middle of the day or the middle of the night and see a Self-Help Guru giving you instructions on how to be the best you you can be.

But you will never be the best you you can be if you don’t give your life to Christ.

You aren’t going to be a better you if you get everything you want.

You aren’t going to be a better you if you step on and step over people to attain your goal.

You aren’t going to be a better you if you are more concerned with your status in life.

You aren’t going to be a better you if all you are concerned about is you.

You will be a better you when your focus is on God and his Glory. Because regardless of what you think, how you believe, and the goals you try to achieve all of it is peanuts compared to a life with Christ.

Philippians 3:8 ESV

Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ

Blank

Our culture is fascinated with glorification of self.

All you have to do is take 2 minutes and browse Social Media.

Our children are being taught that self worth is found in “likes” and “comments”

We are sold a bill of goods about the promise of a utopian society. Or that Our Country is the greatest good.

When, in fact, all these things will pass away. All these kingdoms will shatter.

Save for the Kingdom of God.

That is why an eternal perspective is so important.

We aren’t living for the American Dream. We are living for other people. We are living for our comfort above all else. We are living for the King of the Universe. Our Perfect, Holy Father.

We need to be focused on His calling and His mission and less concerned with the things that will pass away.

I didn’t say unconcerned with these things, but less concerned with them than we are with the Kingdom of God.

Earthly/Demonic wisdom is ever changing. It’s fluid and shifts depending on a multitude of factors. Not the least of which is sinfulness.

However, there is one thing it always seeks and that is an elevation of self.

We need to be concerned with the wisdom from above. The Wisdom of God is static and true. Never changing. Never needing revision. Never needing Help. It is always right and true.

This is also not just a cultural war, but can be a problem within the church.

When selfish ambition and jealously sneak in chaos ensues

James 3:16 ESV

For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.

Disorder is an enemy of God.

Our God is not a God of chaos and disorder, but a god of peace and order.

Disorder and vile practices are evident when people are chiefly concerned with self rather than the Body of Christ.

We have to be on guard when we look at the church body as a whole.

We are all put here for a specific purpose. We are all here b/c God has placed us here.

If Earthly/Demonic Wisdom is our focus we will all sound like politicians switching our beliefs to fit our agenda.

If Godly wisdom is our focus we will have stability and truth to hold onto when the world around us crumbles.

So what does this Godly Wisdom look like?

James 3:17–18 ESV

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.

These characteristics line up with the Sermon on the Mount’s beatitudes.

Matthew 5:3–12 ESV

“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. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Blank

God’s Wisdom from above is pure.

That means it is untainted, innocent, and morally blameless.

Notice how all these characteristics are completely contrary to the disorder and selfishness of earthly wisdom.

God’s wisdom Generates Peace.

Again not chaotic, but peaceful.

Quarrels and chaos are not a part of God’s Wisdom.

God’s Wisdom Comes from God and is demonstrated to us by the life and work of Jesus.

If we want God’s Wisdom we need to ask for it.

We need to be consistent in the way that we follow through with our request to God for Wisdom.

Sometimes Godly wisdom is apparent.

Be gentle and not harsh.

When we disagree with someone, don’t automatically think they are dumb or unreasonable.

Rather listen to them and gently and carefully respond in love and kindness that you disagree with them.

Be loving and not condemning.

People who don’t know Christ cannot be expected to follow after and Look like Christ.

This goes for those who even claim to be Christian without any demonstrable fruit of the Spirit.

Remember it doesn’t matter what they say, but how they act and how they are growing.

But your job isn’t to judge or condemn them. It is to love them as Christ loved you when you were far from him.

Be full of mercy and grace.

We should demonstrate the same amount of grace toward others that we receive from Christ.

Be impartial and sincere.

No body is better than anybody.

All people: Black/White, Democrat/Republican, Rich/Poor are all made in the image of God.

All People need to hear the gospel of Christ.

Preach it. Teach it. Live it.

Be peaceable and not chaotic.

Don’t be one to stir a pot that you know is going to create a giant mess.

Don’t open that can of worms.

Try your hardest to create peace and not chaos.

This is the Wisdom of God that we Love God with all we have and Love our Neighbors as ourselves.

Related Media

Related Sermons