Other Wise

James teaches us the symptoms of ungodly wisdom that we can use to diagnos our own wisdom.

Who is Wise? Not just smart. Not just someone who knows a lot of facts but one to be wise includes having the right attitudes and moral components. Who is the expert? How do I know?

The Symptoms

1. Bitterness
   Bitter zeal. Like Ahab and Jezabel zealously pursuing Elijah out of bitterness. "Is our zeal for the Lord spiritual or carnal? Do we rejoice when others succeed, or do we have secret envy and criticism? Do we feel burdened when others fail, or are we glad? When the wisdom of the world gets into the church, there is a great deal of fleshly promotion and human glorification." Wiersbe, W. W.
2. Selfish Ambition
   Used of mercenaries who only care about how much they will get paid. It was also used of politician canvassing for votes. phil 1 15-17 15     Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ even from envy and strife, but some also from good will; 16     the latter do it out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the agospel; 17     the former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition rather than from pure motives, thinking to cause me distress in my imprisonment.
3. Arrogance
   boasting. Not giving the glory to God. King Nebuchandnezer is a good example. Daniel 4:28-37
4. Lying
   

The Diagnosis

1. Earthly
2. Natural
   psuchikos. Soul. Pertaining to human behavior typical of our fallen nature or man's psychological makeup.
3. Demonic
   In the church? Does this concern you?

The Prognosis

1. Disorder
   instability. james 1:18 in the individual and in the church as well.
2. Evil
   Good for nothing, corrupt, vile. This type of wisdom breeds every kind of evil thing.

What is the treatment? If this type of wisdom is evident in you, then first you must repent. Secondly you need to followh James admonition in verse 13.