Wisdom From Above
James 3:13-18
“Knowledge these days is very easy to come by – almost too easy, given the flood of search results for almost any word or phrase you can imagine. But you can’t search for wisdom – at least not online. And it’s as rare and precious as ever… Wisdom is not just knowledge – mastering information about particular aspects of the world. Wisdom is understanding. It’s the kind of understanding, specifically, that guides action. It’s knowing, in a tremendously complex world, what the right thing to do is – what will be most honoring of our Creator and our fellow creatures.” ~ Andy Crouch
Main Idea: True wisdom is a gift from heaven above, shown by a life of personal humility & relational peace.
I. Wisdom & Her Deeds (3:13)
Wisdom is not seen in intellect or knowledge alone, but through a life of “good conduct” shown in the “meekness of humility.” As Jesus taught, “wisdom is justified by her deeds” (Mt. 11:19), not in talk or knowledge alone.
“Good conduct” can also be translated as “good life.” The truly wise will live in such a way that iit showcases the true “good life” of the Kingdom of God.
1 Pet. 2:12: Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.
The good life of wisdom in the gospel is marked by “meekness” (or humility). The way of wisdom is the way of meekness because this is at the very heart of Jesus himself, who is wisdom revealed in the flesh (Matt. 11:29).
“Meek. Humble. Gentle. Jesus is not trigger-happy. Not harsh, reactionary, easily exasperated. He is the most understanding person in the universe. The posture most natural to him is not a pointed finger but open arms…‘Gentle and lowly.’ This, according to his own testimony, is Christ’s very heart. This is who he is. Tender. Open. Welcoming. Accommodating. Understanding. Willing. If we are asked to say only one thing about who Jesus is, we would be honoring Jesus’ own teaching if our answer is, gentle and lowly... lowly gentleness is not one way Jesus occasionally acts toward others. Gentleness is who he is. It is his heart. He can’t un-gentle himself toward his own any more than you or I can change the color of our eyes.” ~ Dane Ortlund
‘Meekness’ is not being timid or a pushover; it’s the idea of “strength or power under control,” used to describe ancient war horses in Greece. Meekness is harnessing strength in the right time and in the right way.
II. False Wisdom (3:14-16)
Origin: “Earthly, unspiritual, demonic” that takes root in the “heart”
Marks: “Bitter jealousy, selfish ambition, boastful pride”
“In its (selfish ambition) only pre-New Testament occurrence (in Aristotle), the word refers to the selfish ambition and the narrow partisan zeal of factional, greedy politicians.” ~ Douglas Moo
Fruit: “Disorder and every vile practice”
III. True Wisdom (3:17-18)
Origin: “From above” (cf. Prov. 2:6)
Marks: “Pure, peaceful, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy & good fruits, impartial, and sincere.”
The marks of true wisdom are the marks of the beatitudes (Matt. 5:2-12) and the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23). The marks of true wisdom are the polar opposites of what James has described in false, earthly “wisdom,” because they are the marks of Jesus himself.
Fruit: “A harvest of righteousness and a community of peacemakers”
“Peacemakers are people who breathe grace. They draw continually on the goodness and power of Jesus Christ, and then they bring his love, mercy, forgiveness, strength, and wisdom to the conflicts of daily life. God delights to breathe his grace through peacemakers and use them to dissipate anger, improve understanding, promote justice, and encourage repentance & reconciliation.” ~ Ken Sande
James 1:5: If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.
