There are decisions that all of us make on a daily basis. Some of those are minor and relatively inconsequential, others are major and potentially life altering. Some impact only us (or so we think), where others reap ramifications on our families, church, workplaces, school, community, and more. How do we know what is right and what is wrong? How can we discern the best from better and good from great? How do we know what is the wise thing to do?
There is a sense in which we can look at people around us and consider what’s pragmatic or practical, but does that really address all of the issues? We can follow people who have success in one area of life and make decisions similar to theirs, but will we be able to pay attention to and deal with the collateral damage that came out of those decisions?
Thankfully, because these decisions are before ALL of us - we have a wealth of resources at our disposal. At the top of that list of resources, I think is the Word of God - and specifically, the book of James.
Over the last several weeks, we’ve been learning in the in James’ epistle that we are to live a life that is fully marked by genuine faith - or a true religion. In the section that we’re considering today, James continues that theme by integrating two topics that he has already briefly discussed - wisdom and works.
In James 1:5-8, we learned that if we lack wisdom - we should ask of God - who gives generously. This followed right on the heals of his encouragement to stand firm in the face of persecution and trials (James 1:2-4). It’s not difficult to imagine why we would need wisdom in the face of extreme opposition.
Then, in chapter 2, James seemed to address the heresy of antinomianism (a separation of soul and body in way leaves people living morally differently than the life that faith expects) as he urged people to demonstrate their faith with their works (James 2:14-26) - works of mercy, worship, obedience, and compassion.
As we saw last week, James discussed the troublesome nature of our tongues - urging all of us to watch our words and those of us who teach to be especially careful (James 3:1-12).
So, it almost seems that he has teachers or leaders in mind as he enters into the combined topics of wisdom and works as he tells us that…
Our works reveal our source of wisdom (13)
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.
As I read this over the week, I couldn’t help but think about a classroom setting and a teacher asking a question. When I was in school, I was the type of student who tended to like to sit near the front and liked to respond to questions. So hearing a teacher ask something like “Who is wise and understanding among you?” I could easily imagine a rather foolish, younger Joel eagerly raising his hand and responding with “me, me, me.” To which James’ next words would have been an appropriate rebuke.
How do we know we’re wise? Some people seem to have the ability to discern fact from fiction and analyze options. The writer of proverbs notes that even a fool is considered wise if they remain quiet (Pv. 17:28).
What we see here is that a person of wisdom will be meek, humble (unlike the front row sitting Joel) and will let good conduct or a lovely life reveal the source of wisdom.
Trials and adversities have a way of exposing the core of who we are. They have a way of uncovering the conduits of our conduct.
But how do we know whether our deeds are rooted in godly wisdom? How do we know if we’re making decisions rooted in biblical values and in a God-honoring way.
Thankfully, in the next several verses, James depicts two kinds of wisdom, what we will call worldly wisdom and heavenly wisdom. He helpfully outlines the root, attributes, and fruit of each kind of wisdom so that we can evaluate what we see in order to trace the fruit to the root or the results to the source of that wisdom.
James begins by addressing what we might call worldly wisdom, noting that…
Worldly wisdom produces works of chaos (14-16)
As we read through these verses, see if you can notice the origin or source, the characteristics and the fruit or works of this kind of wisdom - in other words, the root, attributes, and fruit
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.
James doesn’t follow the order that I laid out. He actually begins with the characteristics or attributes of this kind of wisdom. He begins by pointing out that jealousy and selfish ambition mark this kind of wisdom. Then those same attributes are repeated again, as though he wants us to pay attention to jealousy and selfish ambition.
Notice, in verse 15, he gets to the root or the source.
Root
Worldly wisdom that is marked by jealousy and selfish ambition is first of all
Not from above - it’s not established in heaven. In other words, it’s not from God. So, we should immediately be tipped off to the fact that if bitter jealousy and selfish ambition are present, then it’s not from God.
He then uses three terms to describe this kind of wisdom. One commentator suggested that these three words act as a sort of escalator moving from bad to worse. He begins by noting that this kind of wisdom is…
Earthly - It’s difficult to know exactly what he means by this - as everything we see and most of what we experience is here on earth - it is earthly. But when we think of earthly things what are they like?
They are temporary - everything on earth has a lifecycle. Everything that lives, dies. Everything that starts, ends. Everything that exists, decays. So, being earthly, we could think of this kind of wisdom rooted in short-lived or temporary outcomes.
Remember, James alerted us to this kind of wisdom by looking at bitter jealousy and selfish ambition - both of those are temporary. If in my heart I long for what you have or want to gain so that I can be more important or more powerful, that longing or desire is going to last for a short time. If I take what is yours or raise my status - it only lasts until someone passes me or moves beyond what I have achieved, but it’s satisfaction is temporary as well.
Wisdom that is earthly is not thinking about lasting or eternal impacts. (Ellsworth)
Next, James ramps up the rhetoric by noting that this kind of wisdom is unspiritual at its root.
Unspiritual - Now, again, it’s a little unclear what he means exactly. Moyter suggests that James may be thinking that “The natural [human], unaided by special regenerating grace… is nevertheless not wholly bereft of that which the Spirit approves.” In other words, this kind of wisdom acts without the aid of the transforming power of God. This kind of wisdom ignores that which God suggests. This kind of wisdom might turn to Google or Bing for answers, rather that Word, Prayer, or the counsel of wiser brothers or sisters in Christ. That’s not to say we should use those tools for information, but if they are informing our discernment, then we are looking for wisdom in all the wrong places.
Finally, the escalator gets to it’s lowest point, noting that this kind of wisdom is not only earthly and unspiritual, but it is…
Demonic - Now, the word that he uses here means “pertaining to demons” and is only used here in Scripture (Moo). What is the role of demons? They are messengers of Satan designed to undermine the will of God in the world. In C.S. Lewis’ book The Screwtape Letters he imagines a series of letters between two demons as one is given the charge to work against the will of God in the life of a Christian. Through subtle and devious means, the demon intends to destroy the foundation of this believer’s life and witness - since he can’t take his salvation.
As we think about some of the fruit that we’ll get to in a moment, we can understand how the outcome of a demonic activity will produce chaos or disorder in the world.
So, if the root of worldly wisdom is earthly, unspiritual and demonic, what are some of its attributes?
Attributes
James already alerted us to the characteristics of bitter jealousy and selfish ambition as being qualities that mark this kind of wisdom.
Bitter jealousy: in Greek, the word translated jealousy here is zelos or zeal. So this zeal, which should be directed toward worthy goals is instead like foul tasting water, bitter and repulsive.
Selfish ambition: this is envy. I’m not sure there are very many ways where envy won’t be selfish, but it’s seems that this envy of which James speaks is so self-centered that there is no mutual good or benefit. It’s all about me and what I want.
These two attributes seem to run counter to what is needed for a flourishing life, family, community, or even humanity. If all that motivates is personal benefit, then we are missing the mark.
But how do we know if we have these attributes in us? I think we ultimately have to look at our motivation. We have to consider why we want to work toward a certain outcome.
For example:
students - as you think about school and your grade -
is your motivation to be the top of the class (selfish ambition) or is it to do your best?
is your motivation in athletics to gain popularity (selfish ambition or jealousy) or again to give your best or do what you can for the good of the team?
In looking at who you are friends with - do you pick them because your compatible and complimentary or because they can help you get in with the right people?
For those who are working:
why do you want that promotion or raise?
What motivates you to look at another opportunity?
For those who are serving - whether here at church or in the community:
What motivates your service? Is it so that people will look at you differently? Is it to feel needed or valued? Is it to use the gifts and abilities that God has given you for His glory and the edification of the church?
For parents
Is the discipline we give to our children because our authority is threatened or because we simply want things a certain way? Or do we discipline out of love and for what will produce godliness in our children?
The attributes of bitter jealousy and selfish ambition have a way of producing divisiveness around us. They have a way of niggling themselves into our lives, resulting in the fruit of worldly wisdom.
Fruit
In verse 16, it says
James 3:16 ESV
For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.
James doesn’t pull any punches here. He boldly and bluntly says - if the fruit of our lives hints at disorder or chaos and “every vile practice” then it is rooted in the wisdom of the world.
Disorder is not hard to imagine. In fact that word can also be translated as instability or insurrection or confusion. Maybe you’ve been in meetings or assemblies where the conflict is so heated that a peaceable way forward is not visible because everyone is clamoring for supremacy. It’s certainly not difficult to witness this confusion from time to time in the political rhetoric - both with and between the political parties. We see this in the way that our society is undermining and redefining what it means to be a family or male or female.
When it comes to “every vile practice” one commentator notes that this “pictures an evil from which no good can come.” (Lea)
So, having laid out an argument that discusses the root, attributes, and fruit of worldly wisdom, James transitions to discuss the same of Godly wisdom - essentially stating that…
Godly wisdom produces works of righteousness (17-18)
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.
Root
Right from the outset, James notes that the root of of this kind of wisdom is not on earth or lower, but from above or in heaven. True wisdom, as some people have described it, is rooted or established in God and in God alone.
Interestingly, the word that James uses that is translated “above” is the word that Jesus uses in John 3 when he says that we must be born again or born from above.
Just as our salvation must come from God, so too the wisdom we need to navigate living a godly life in a godless world must come from above, must come from God.
So what does this wisdom look like? What are its attributes?
Attributes
Where the attributes of worldly wisdom were rather limited and pointed (bitter jealousy and selfish ambition), James notes that the wisdom from above is rich in its attributes. In many ways the attributes of wisdom here almost have the ring of the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23).
He does some very interesting things to delineate these things in Greek using groupings, alliteration, and rhyming - which is sort of lost on us in English. Notice, that these 8 attributes are clustered - one, then three, then two then two.
First and foremost, godly wisdom is
Pure - There is no hint of ulterior motives or false pretenses. Wisdom from above thinks, decides, and acts the way it does because it’s right. No stain of selfish ambition or bitter jealousy.
The primacy of purity also suggests that each of the subsequent attributes are elements or “dimensions of this overall purity” as one commentator has noted (Moo).
I think this is why we need to be mindful of our motives. Pure motives will seek an outcome that is good and right.
With purity established as a foundational attribute, James moves to a trio of words that all begin with the same letter in Greek.
Peaceable (eirenike) - in contrast to the chaotic and divisive nature of worldly wisdom, godly wisdom seeks peace. Now, frankly, this is not simply an absence of conflict. Maybe you’ve been in situations where one person gives in so that peace may happen. While I think there is a place where being peaceable can act that way, there is also sense in which true peace or “shalom” as they would say in Hebrew, is much more than an absence of conflict - but rather a promotion of health and wholeness. In fact as we will see in a moment, peace is not only an attribute of wisdom but a product of it (v. 18)
Next, we note that godly wisdom is…
Gentle (epieikes) - Godly wisdom is secure enough in its grounding that it does not need to use a harsh language or tone. Godly wisdom is not threatened by attacks or even lies. Another way that this word can be translated is considerate. In other words, wisdom takes into account the feelings, situation, and even the maturity of the other person before responding. This is one place where I am so grateful for the godly wisdom that Danielle’s dad exudes. There have really been very few times that I have heard him react in anger. He takes a gentle and considerate approach when he encounters even the most challenging and stressful of circumstances.
The final attribute in this alliterated trio is…
Compliant (eupeithes) - In the ESV, this is rendered “open to reason.” Other translations use words like “submissive” or “easy to be entreated.” This has the connotation of being willing to listen in order to understand and the acquiesce. Moo helpfully explains that this word, which is only mentioned here in the NT, “[Considerate] is meant not as a weak, credulous gullibility, but a willing deference to others with unalterable theological or moral principles are not involved.” Think through some of the stickiest conflicts of our day. Worldly wisdom wants to shout down or silence, godly wisdom would respond in gentleness - seeking to understand and willingly complies if it doesn’t compromise values - standing firm where it might compromise biblical values.
When considered together, there is a sense in which these three attributes of being peaceable, gentle and compliant are direct opponents to bitter jealousy and selfish ambition. Just as worldly and godly wisdom are polar opposites at their root, so too are they in their attributes.
So with the primacy of purity and the trio of attributes that relate to interactions, the next two attributes hint at some of the outcomes or works.
full of Mercy - Assuming the godly wisdom is being expresses by people who have been saved by the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ, this attribute of being full of mercy recognizes that we all are in need, we all are broken, we all are imperfect. As a result, we are able to give a benefit doubt. We are able to show mercy because we have received mercy.
Not only is godly wisdom full of mercy, but it’s also
(full of) Good Fruits - In other words, godly wisdom produces a harvest in and around the individual that abides in it. That harvest is good and beneficial. That harvest is a blessing.
The final two attributes not only alliterate but they also rhyme in Greek.
Impartial (adiakritos) - In other words, the person who expresses godly wisdom is not double-minded or biased.
The final attribute that James notes is…
Sincere (anypokritos) - or genuineness. Godly wisdom seeks the good of all involved. Godly wisdom wants the best outcome.
So with the root and the attributes of godly wisdom considered, lets look finally at the…
Fruit
James concludes this section with what many have called a proverb. It’s not necessarily known as a common phrase in the culture of his day, but a truth derived from the outworking of a life lived with godly wisdom.
James 3:18 ESV
And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
A peace-filled, godly life is lived by those who produce peace. Jesus urged us in the sermon on the mount that those who are “peacemakers will be called the sons of God” (Matthew 5:9) - and after seeing how godly wisdom differs so greatly from worldly wisdom, we can see why.
Closing thoughts
I do think it’s important for us to pay attention to what is out there (in the world, in the culture) and be able to differentiate between worldly wisdom and godly wisdom - but where we will find the most traction is within.
what is the root of the wisdom that I express or live by?
Where is my life marked by bitter jealousy and selfish ambition?
Where is chaos and divisiveness the fruit of my life?
How do we respond when we are confronted with that?
First of all, I think we need to repent of setting our minds and hearts on things of the earth and not on eternal or heavenly things (Col. 3:2).
Secondly, we need to look to Jesus. As Hebrews 12:2 notes, he is the “author and perfecter of our faith.” He is not only the one who is the origin, but he is the goal. Think about the that Jesus modeled godly wisdom with his life.
Jesus embodied this “meekness of wisdom” - he did not act out of selfishness or jealousy - he laid his life down so that we could be at peace with God (Isaiah 53:5 “But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.” )
Jesus’ motives were pure (1 Peter 2:21–22 “For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth.”)
Jesus is the prince of peace - he doesn’t simply promote peace, he is the supreme example of it.(Isaiah 9:6 “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”)
Jesus is gentle (and lowly) in heart - (Matthew 11:29 “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” )
Jesus is submissive (open to reason) - he did all that the Father called him to do (John 17:4 “I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do.” )
Jesus is full of mercy - paying with his life the sin debt that we owe. (1 John 2:1–2 “…we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.”)
Jesus’ life produces life in the world (John 10:10 “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”)
Jesus makes his salvation available to all (John 3:16–17 ““For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”)
Friend, if you’ve not yet trusted in Jesus as your savior, turn to him, repent of the chaos the is a result of living by worldly wisdom. Come to him.
Beloved, let us continually yield our lives to the will of God, that we might be transformed and live transforming lives.
Let’s pray
Sources:
Ellsworth, Roger. Opening up James. Opening Up Commentary. Leominster: Day One Publications, 2009.
Lea, Thomas D. Hebrews, James. Vol. 10. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1999. Print. Holman New Testament Commentary.
Moo, Douglas J. The Letter of James. The Pillar New Testament Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI; Leicester, England: Eerdmans; Apollos, 2000.
Moyter, J.A. The Message of James. The Bible Speaks Today. Downers Grover, IL; Leicester, England: Inter-Varsity Press, 1985.
Nystrom, David P. The NIV Application Commentary: James. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1997.
