Worldly and Heavenly Wisdom

James 3: 13-18

Introduction
The book of Job, Psalms, Proverbs and Ecclesiastes are called Wisdom Literatures. The word wisdom is found 234 times in the Bible. Wisdom is Sophia in Greek. The American Heritage Talking Dictionary defines wisdom as understanding of what is true, right, or lasting; the intellectual power to decide wisely. Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible and Christianity defines wisdom as the knowledge and fear of the Lord which results in hatred of sin and love for truth and righteousness. Proverbs distinguishes between wisdom and folly. James tells us about worldly and heavenly wisdom

I. Wisdom and Knowledge (Jas. 3:13)
A. The word wisdom carries the idea of “skillfulness. “The idea is that of a workman having ability and skill at what he does. In Biblical context, wisdom is the God given ability to use knowledge properly.
B. This word was used to describe the ability of the craftsmen who worked in the tabernacle. And I, behold, I have given with him Aholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan: and in the hearts of all that are wise hearted I have put wisdom, that they may make all that I have commanded thee; (Exodus 31:6). Wisdom is the skill or ability to practice what one knows. We must not mistake knowledge for wisdom! A person with a college degree may have a great deal of knowledge, but no common sense. However, wisdom is the ability to understand and to discern what to do, how to do it, and when to do it.
C. James speaks about being wise and endued with knowledge. (Jas. 3:13).

Knowledge is the accumulation of information.
Wisdom is the ability to take information and put it into action at the point of need. James gives us two characteristics of Godly Wisdom.

D. James says if a man is wise and endued with knowledge let him shew out of a good conversation his works… (Jas. 3:13) Wisdom is associated with holiness. Wisdom promotes purity in the believer’s life.

James says let him shew. The word shew means to “expose or to demonstrate.” A wise person demonstrates his wisdom by good conversation.
The word conversation carries the idea of “behavior or conduct.” (Different from Phil. 3:20- citizenship)
a. There are two kinds of conversation. First, there is that which we say with our lips.
b. Secondly, there it that which we say with our life. James is not speaking of our talk, but our walk—our manner of life. He is talking about how we live from day to day. We give evidence of our wisdom by good behavior. When the word of God takes root in one’s life there will be a corresponding change in behavior

E. James goes on to say that such wisdom is demonstrated with meekness of wisdom. (James 3:13).

Meekness is a word that basically means “mild,” “gentle,” or “softness of temper.” Meekness is not weakness or a lack of power. Rather, it is power under control. This word was used for a horse that had been broken. The horse wasn’t powerless, just broken. The horse was just as powerful as he ever was, but now he is under control and able to be turned in any direction by the will of its master.
Jesus is the perfect example of meekness. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. (Matthew 11:29) Meekness has the strength to control and discipline one’s self. (Num. 12:3 Moses).
a. It is a requirement for reaching people. In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth. (2 Tim. 2:25).
b. It is a requirement for restoring the fallen. Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. (Gal. 6:1)

II. Wisdom not from above – James 3:15
A. Worldly Wisdom

Earthly – in the sense that it is based on human knowledge, thinking and logic. It speaks of that which comes from this fallen world rather than from above. It indicates that which is wicked and sinful.
Worldliness does not consist merely of external things such as drinking and smoking and wearing immodest clothing. It is, first of all, a heart condition. One can be impressively clean on the outside and worldly on the inside. This was the condition of the Pharisees (Mt. 23:25). Worldliness consists of “the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life” (1 Jn. 2:16), and those are sins of the heart that have external fruits.
Sensual – expresses itself through gratification of fleshly lusts
Devilish – Satanic in origin and based on lies and deception and possessed by evil men and Satan ’followers such as demons and evil spirits.
B. Results of Worldly Wisdom – James 3:14, 16
Bitterness – difficult to accept or admit. Envy and bitterness are partners.

Illustration/Application: No Grudges
I’ve had a few arguments with people,” comedian Buddy Hackett once confessed, “but I never carry a grudge. You know why? While you’re carrying a grudge, they’re out dancing.”

Illustration/Application: Rattlesnake
A rattlesnake, if cornered, will sometimes become so angry it will bite itself. That is exactly what the harboring of hate and resentment against others is—a biting of oneself. We think that we are harming others in holding these spites and hates, but the deeper harm is to ourselves.

Envy- Resentful desire for another’s advantages: covetousness. To envy is to want something which belongs to another person. “You shall not covet your neighbour’s house, his wife or his servant, his ox or donkey or anything that belongs to your neighbor.” You are not content of what God has given you.
Strife – state marked by antagonism or disagreement, conflict or division, the opposite of peace and unity. It refers to quarrelling and stirring up trouble. It refers to backbiting and gossiping, talking against the brethren because I don’t like them and I don’t like what they do. Such strife is not caused because I love the truth but because I care more for my own selfish interests and my own desire to injure others than I do for the work of God.
Even if the church splits apart, that does not concern me. There is a hardness of heart caused by the sin of envy. It is the opposite of gentleness and compassion and longsuffering.

Envy and strife are intimately associated. Burkitt says, “Envy is the mother of strife.” If I have envy toward others I will eventually cause trouble among the brethren. The Philistines envied Isaac and stopped up his wells (Ge. 26:14-15). Rachel was envious of Leah and caused strife in her own home (Ge. 30:1-2). Korah and his followers envied Moses and Aaron and stirred up opposition against them (Ps. 106:16-18; Nu. 16:1-4). The Jewish religious
leaders envied Jesus and stirred up the people and the government against Him and caused His death (Mr. 15:10). They also envied the crowds that followed the preaching of the gospel and stirred up strife to hinder it (Ac. 17:5)

Confusion – lack of order, chaos, disorderliness
Evil works – evil thoughts, vain talks, unbelief, and all unrighteousness.
Jealousy is the fear that something which we possess will be taken away by another person. Although jealousy can apply to our jobs, our possessions, or our reputations, the word more often refers to anxiety which comes when we are afraid that the affections of a loved one might be lost to a rival. We fear that our mates, or perhaps our children, will be lured away by some other person who, when compared to us, seems to be more attractive, capable and successful.

Illustration/Application:
Worldly wisdom seeks expression on loving only oneself without thinking other people. It seeks to be the master and being served instead of serving in humility and honesty. Would rather be a “taker” rather than a “giver”. The foolishness of human wisdom is clearly written 1 Cor. 1:19 -30. God’s thoughts are not our thoughts (Isa. 55:8-9). Worldly wisdom is a system that is opposed to God, boastful, full of lies, and manipulations. Human reasoning, philosophy, and thinking will all be brought to nothing. 1 Cor. 1:19. The preaching of the cross is foolishness to unsaved people but for real Christians, it is not. 1 Cor. 1:18.

III. Wisdom that is from above – James 3:17
A. Heavenly Wisdom

Pure – not corrupted or contaminated with sin and intellectual pride so easily seen on most teachers of God’s word today who are full of pride.
Peaceable – not quarrelsome and causes division and heresy.
Gentle – mild, a Christian must always be gentleman or gentlewoman.
Easily to be entreated – reasonable, easy to talk to and understanding.
Full of mercy and good fruits – merciful, compassionate, ready to forgive and forget, and full of good fruit of the Holy Spirit.
Without Partiality – without favouritism in truth and in judgment.
Without Hypocrisy – that is truthful and sincere not only on the outside but also inside. Not a make believe like the Pharisees.

B. Results of Heavenly Wisdom – James 3:18

Righteousness
Peace
Blessings (James 3:10)

C. Wisdom from above can be asked from God – James 1:5

Through Prayer –James 1:6
Scriptures is also a source of wisdom – Deut. 4:6, Col. 3:16, 2 Tim. 3:15
Teaching and warning – Col. 1:28

D. What is the Christian’s wisdom? Does he look to the philosophies of this world? No! To begin with, Jesus Christ is our wisdom (1 Cor 1:24,30). In Jesus Christ “are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Col 2:3). The first step toward true wisdom is the receiving of Jesus Christ as Saviour.

E. The Word of God is also our wisdom. “Behold, I have taught you statutes and judgments…. Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations” (Deut. 4:5-6). The Scriptures are able to make us “wise unto salvation” (2 Tim. 3:15).

F. James 1:5 indicates that we find wisdom through believing prayer. “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God.” The Holy Spirit of God is “the Spirit of wisdom and revelation” (Eph. 1:17) and He directs us in the wisest paths as we trust the Word and pray.

G. The origin of true spiritual wisdom is God. To get your wisdom from any other source is to ask for trouble. There is no need to get the counterfeit wisdom of the world, the wisdom that caters to the flesh and accomplishes the work of the devil. Get your wisdom from God!
I remember my violin teacher when I was young. He told me that if I want to be wiser and smarter, I have to read the Bible. I have no idea whether he is a real believer or not, all I know is that he is absolutely right in telling me to read the Bible.

IV. Additional Scriptural teachings about Wisdom

All treasures of wisdom are hid in Jesus Christ – Col. 2:3
The wisdom of God is the gospel of Jesus Christ. – 1 Cor. 1:20-24
Wisdom is the principal things in life and more valuable than precious material things – Prov. 4:7, 8:11, 16:16

V. Conclusion:
Wisdom is indeed a gift from God; however, if you want more, you can ask the Lord through prayer, humbly and without doubting. Wisdom is not only knowing the facts and information, but knowing how to apply and make use that information for practical living and spiritual application. Spiritually matured person shows righteousness, peace, and is a blessing to people around him. Good works the fruit of his salvation is manifested in his life and wisdom is shown in his meekness and holiness. You want wisdom? Come to Jesus Christ, He is waiting for you and willing to give you wisdom