The book of James has been called the “Proverbs” of the New Testament due to the amount of practical matter that the book discusses. Among the various topics within the book, there is a discussion of heavenly wisdom. This discussion begins in James 3:13. James compares and contrasts the wisdom that is from above versus the wisdom that is of the Devil. Let us look at some great lessons from this passage of scripture.
First, wisdom is shown out of life’s works with meekness. James writes, “Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? Let him shew out of a good conversation (life) his works with meekness of wisdom.” The question that James is asking in this context is rhetorical. James is saying: if you would be a wise man and endued with knowledge, then show from your good life meek works of wisdom. Meekness is a quality which every Christian should have (Galatians 5:23). What are works that are “with meekness of wisdom?” Works such as visiting the orphans and widows (James 1:27), visiting the sick and infirmed, visiting the shutins, visiting the prisons (Matthew 25:35-40); these are works which most men are loathe to do, but the wise man will do such meek and lowly deeds knowing that his Savior smiles upon such wisdom.
Second, James lets us know what kind of “wisdom” to avoid. He says, “But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.” Notice the source of this devilish wisdom–the heart that contains bitter envying and strife. There is no trouble that starts without someone first thinking within his or her heart that another person is doing something that they personally don’t want them to do; herein lies envy. Then, when that desire is long nurtured, it becomes bitter–it refuses to leave the heart and constantly works it way to the front of the individual’s consciousness. The result is an attitude of strife instead of an attitude of peace. Ultimately such bitter envying and strife results in confusion and evil works. James says that this type of wisdom is earthly, sensual, and devilish. It is earthly because this is the way that the natural man behaves (1 Corinthians 2:14). It is sensual because the base desires that feed such an attitude come from personal fleshly lusts (1 John 2:15-16). It is devilish because Satan desires that this type of attitude be held in the heart of man (John 13:2). Such “wisdom” should be avoided.
Third, James let us know what kind of wisdom to hold dear. He says, “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 begins with purity. Purity is singleness of purpose with holy motives. Its opposite is double mindedness (James 1:8; 4:8); this is where we say one thing, but our true purpose and motives is something completely different. Heavenly wisdom is not like this, but is pure. It is also peaceable. That is, it seeks the way of peace first. Paul wrote, “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men” (Romans 12:18). There are times when peace cannot be had, but it MUST be sought diligently. Heavenly wisdom is peaceable. It is also gentle. It was said concerning Jesus, “A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory” (Matthew 12:20, 21). There are those who have the attitude, if it’s almost broken, go ahead and break it! This was not the attitude of Christ. He sought every possible way to do what he could to gently teach those who were almost broken. Such is the attitude of heavenly wisdom. Notice that heavenly wisdom is easy to be entreated. In today’s language we would say that such a person is “approachable.” In other words, you feel comfortable speaking to this person. You have no reason to distrust. This one is trustworthy. Heavenly wisdom is full of mercy and good fruits. Again we see works of mercy are necessary for one to be wise in heaven’s way. Heavenly wisdom is without partiality as is God (Acts 10:34). This wisdom takes no account of how much money a person has or what their social status is, or what their handicaps are, or what their personal problems are. Finally, this wisdom is without hypocrisy. Hypocrisy is the fruit of being double minded. Heavenly wisdom cannot have a person saying one thing and doing another.
Finally, James speaks of the wonderful results of this wisdom. He says, “And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.” When we are wise in heaven’s way and seek to practice such wisdom in our life, then we will be able to sow the seed to others. This passage is not saying that this attitude is necessary to reap the fruit of righteousness, but to sow the fruit of righteousness. And how true this is! When those in the world see within us bitterness, strife, envyings, and sensuality, what kind of influence can we expect to have upon them? They will want nothing to do with us. But when we display the characteristics of purity, peace, gentleness, approachability, being without partiality and hypocrisy, they will want to know more about how we live our life. Then we have the opportunity to sow in peace.
What kind of wisdom is seen within your life? Let us all work and pray that it will be the kind of wisdom that comes from above!