Nine Characteristics of Wisdom from Above (James 3:17,18)
"But the wisdom from above is first of all pure (undefiled); peace-loving, courteous (considerate, gentle); it is willing to yield to reason, full of compassion and good fruits; it is wholehearted and straight forward; impartial and unfeigned (free from doubts, wavering and insincerity). And the harvest of righteousness (Of conformity to God’s will in thought and deeds) is the fruit of the seed sown in peace by those who work for and make peace in themselves and in other others, that peace which menas concnered, agreement and harmony between individuals with undisturbness, in a peaceful mind free from fears and agitating passions and moral-conflicts." (Amplified Bible)
Failure to exude the wisdom from above leads to impurity, pickiness, harshness, unapproachableness, mercilessness, fruitlessness, wavering and dishonesty. True wisdom is pure, peacable, gentle, entreatable, merciful, fruitful, steadfast, honest that evidences a Christlikeness given by the enduement and empowerment of the Holy Spirit. Much of the material for this sermon is based on the writing of T. W. Hunt.
Illustration: The wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield. --James 3:17
Is it wise to be bitterly envious of other people’s possessions, talents, or good looks? Is it wise to be selfishly ambitious--and then brag about what your ambition brings you?
A passage in the Bible actually seems to call such attitudes wise. James used the word wisdom to describe "bitter envy and self-seeking" (3:14-15). That’s surprising, because we normally equate wisdom with something good. But James used the word in a specific context. The source of this wisdom, he pointed out, is evil. It doesn’t come "from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic." It is the wisdom that leads to immoral decisions about how life should be lived.
This kind of "wisdom" is all around us. Bitter envy and selfish ambition threaten many of our institutions and destroy relationships. Society pays the price for this twisted thinking at all levels, for it always leads to "confusion and every evil thing" (v.16).
The prophet Isaiah said, "Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes" (Isa. 5:21). As believers in Christ, we must pursue a higher wisdom--the wisdom that comes from God. It is pure, peaceable, and gentle. It is merciful and without hypocrisy (Jas. 3:17). Ask God for that kind of wisdom. Is there any doubt which wisdom is better? (Our Daily Bread)
The wisdom from above flies in the face
Of what the world holds in death’s embrace;
Willing to yield, yet resolutely pure
And peaceable, God’s wisdom will endure. --Gustafson
There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death. --Proverbs 16:25
The following are nine characteristics of Christlike wisdom, their opposite attitudes and the perversion of the ideal:
1. Christlike wisdom is pure as it is a gift from God, but the opposite is impure motivations; but the perversion is puritanicalism. Pure wisdom is not a mixture of of maxims or aims that would debase it. Christlikeness wisdom empowered by the Holy Spirit is studious of holiness both in heart and in life. When the word of God and the Holy Spirit are controlling our thoughts we think pure thoughts while desiring holiness in all aspects of life. However, failure to allow the Spirit of God to fill our thinking, attitudes, actions and spirit leads one to impurity of all types. Yet, when one is not allowing the purity of Christ to dwell in us we start to rely on rules, regulations and traditions of men that make us overlypuritanical and legalistic.
Excessive adherence to a law, regulations or a list of do’s and don’ts leads one to rely on human beliefs more than on the word and the Spirit of graciousness. Recent studies have found that many Christians television viewing habits vary little from non-Christians since they believe no one is holding them accountable, but they are wrong. Jeremiah wrote, "Your eyes are open to all the ways of men; you reward everyone according to his conduct and as his deeds deserve." (Jer 32:19)
Illustration: The heart of the wise teaches his mouth, and adds learning to his lips. --Proverbs 16:23
People often hide their feelings behind a wall of words. They use a kind of double-talk in which words and feelings do not agree. A communications consultant who holds workshops on this subject says that many people are afraid that honesty in speech will cost them friendships, love, or respect. So they either keep their lips zipped or say something other than what they mean.
Other factors that may impede straight talk are shyness, lack of confidence, fear of displaying ignorance, trying to avoid criticism, and not wanting to hurt someone’s feelings.
Believers in Christ are not exempt from this problem. Trying to be both loving and truthful can be difficult, but the Bible tells us how to deal with this dilemma. The book of James teaches us that we need the wisdom that comes from God above. The Lord will enable us by His Holy Spirit to speak effectively and honestly. His wisdom is "first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy" (Jas. 3:17).
Let’s govern our speech with these qualities from God’s Word. Then we will not have to hide behind a wall of words. --MRDII (Our Daily Bread)
How easy it is to use many words
And yet be unwise in the things that you say;
So willingly yield your speech to the Lord,
And hearts will be blest by you every day. --DJD
Wisdom is knowing when to speak your mind and when to mind your speech.
2. Christlike wisdom is peaceable, but the opposite is pickyness; but the perversion is a spirit of compromise. Those who are enabled by the power of the Holy Spirit and the word of God do all that they can to preserve the bond of unity forged by peace. They ask the Lord to help them, as far as it is possible, be at peace with all men. Godly people do all that they can to ask forgiveness of others when they have been offended to maintain peaceable relationships between brothers and sisters in Christ. Today, too many Christians are so picky that they are quick to judge, criticize and demand perfection of others without considering their own shortcomings. Godly wisdom does whatever it takes to restore peace to relationships even if it means admitting a wrong or an offense for the sake of unity in the body of Christ.
3. Christlike wisdom is gentle, but the opposite is harshness; but the perversion is unkind restraint. Heavenly wisdom helps people become gentlemen and gentlewomen who are not contentious in spirit. Christlike people are not haughty, rude and callous to the needs of others. Too many people today are overbearing in their manner as seen in their conversations and even in their driving habits. It is rare to see gracious drivers today on our roadways. Selfishness has become the norm instead of gracious meekness of heart and consideration for others concerns. People who fail to exhibit gentleness of disposition become harsh, cruel in temper and demanding of their own way. Only the Spirit of God can give us that gentle and quiet spirit which is precious in the eyes of God.
4. Christlike wisdom is entreatable, but the opposite is being unapproachable, but the perversion is being a yes-person. Heavenly wisdom is easy to be entreated since it is persuadable. Ask the Lord to help you become more and more teachable so that you are willing to learn from anyone at anytime about God’s greater will for your life. Paul recognized people who were always learning but never coming to the knowledge of the truth, which is a apt description of many in our society today. Christlike people are eager to learn more about what is good and what evils to avoid. There is a growing maturity in those who are always gaining greater insight into God’s word, His will and His ways. However, people who are resistant to learn are stubborn, stand-offish or they simply become yes-people who are puppets of controllers. Ask the Lord to help you remain humble, teachable and adaptable.
5. Christlike wisdom is merciful, but the opposite is being merciless; the perversion is being indulgent. Heavenly wisdom is full of mercy and good fruits even when it seems that our capacity to show lovingkindness is exhausted. Merciful people evidence the ability to relieve people who are in need of deliverance and forgive those offend. Jesus said, "Blessed are the merciful for they will receive mercy." People who lack mercy are judgmental, distant and apt to not cut people any slack when they are wronged or hurt. Wise people to not have to argue, wrangle or dispute over everything. The wisest people are less apt to be censures. Wise people are without trace of hypocrisy.
6. Christlike wisdom is fruitful, but the opposite is being fruitless; but the perversion is being obsessed with results. Wise people do not have to pretend to be fruitful as their work of faith, labor of love, and steadfast of hope will make it clear how Christ is working in them both to will and to do of His good pleasure. People who are filled with the Spirit do not have to work at putting on disguises or masks to the public. They are not deceitful in pretending to produce something that is not genuinely a result of God’s blessings. Heavenly wisdom will sow the seeds of righteousness, godliness, faith, love and peace expecting God to give a harvest of righteousness in the proper time and manner.
7. Christlike wisdom is steadfast, but the opposite is one who wavers; but the perversion is being inflexible and rigid. Heavenly wisdom is steady, consistent and reliable. Pretentious wisdom is often superficial, plastic and contrived. People who are not Christ empowered are seen to be angry, judgmental and quick to see the speck in their brothers eyes but loath to remove the log from their own eye - like the Pharisees.
8. Christlike wisdom is honest, but the opposite is an attitude of dishonesty; but the perversion is being brutal-cruel and judgmental. Heavenly wisdom is upright, above reproach and blameless in it thoughts, attitudes and actions. Godly wisdom is sincere, pure and consistent. Without a steadiness of Holy Spirit empowered wisdom, a person is moody. No one wants to be around someone who changes according to the whims of their feelings. Too many people allow themselves to be so subjective in the way they relate to members of their family that people have to walk on egg shells or risk being criticized. Many husbands or wives become passive-indifferent when their spouses criticize them for the slightest of offenses. Ask the Lord to help you determine in your heart that you will walk more by the Spirit than by the flesh. The fruit of the Spirit will enable you to live more out of His love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control.
