Overcoming Worldly Wisdom With Godly Living

In today’s fast-paced, self-focused culture, we are constantly bombarded with messages that push us toward self-promotion, that push us toward material success, and personal achievement. We are living in a time when people are encouraged to look out for number one, seek their own glory, and elevate their desires above all else. Our scripture today (James 3:13 – 4:8) speaks to the challenges of living in such a world, and offers us a roadmap for pursuing Godly wisdom and living in humility.

Let’s explore three things today:

1.Godly Wisdom vs. Earthly Wisdom

2.The Dangers of Selfish Ambition and Conflict

3.Drawing Near to God and Living Humbly

Let’s begin by looking at James 3:13-18… Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him show out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom comes not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. 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. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

James contrasts two kinds of wisdom: Earthly wisdom, which is driven by envy and selfish ambition, that leads to disorder, conflict, and sin. Earthly wisdom thrives in a world where people are in constant competition, chasing after success and recognition at any cost. This kind of wisdom is self-centered and short-sighted.

In contrast, Godly wisdom is pure, peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy, and it bears good fruit. Godly wisdom brings harmony and healing not division and conflict. It ‘s not motivated by selfish gain but motivated by a desire to honor God and bless others.

It’s like the difference between a leader who builds a business solely for personal profit and a leader who seeks to make a positive difference in their community. The first is motivated by earthly wisdom, while the other reflects Godly wisdom by seeking the good of others.

We must ask ourselves: Are my decisions and actions motivated by selfish ambition or by a desire to glorify God and serve others? We must figure out how we can embody Godly wisdom in our daily interactions—at home, at work, and in our community?

In James 4:1-3 we see the dangers of Selfish Ambition and Conflict:

What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.

What’s the source of conflict? Our desires, Our Selfish ambition, Our unchecked desires, and coveting things that aren’t ours… All of this leads to strife and broken relationships. When we are driven by what we want—whether it’s recognition, whether it’s success, or power—we inevitably come into conflict with others. The inner battle will spill out into fights, quarrels, and division.

James also addresses our failure to ask God for what we need. He says that Instead of bringing our desires to God, we try to fulfill them on our own, and often with the wrong motives. Even when we pray, if our prayers are driven by selfish desires, they are going to remain unanswered.

Think of all the conflicts that happen because of unmet desires—whether it’s a fight between family members over money or a disagreement at work fueled by competition. James basically says that much of the turmoil we experience comes from within our own hearts.

We must take time to reflect on the reason for the conflict in our life. Maybe we are trying to fulfill our desires in our own strength… Have you even asked God to meet your needs, and if you have, are your motives pure? When conflict arises, we need to consider whether selfish ambition is at the root of the problem.

Let’s continue with James 4:4-8… You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. Or do you think Scripture says without reason that he jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us? But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded