Read: James 3:13-18
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good 
life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.
Two teachers were once applying for the same Vice-Principal position at a local high school. One had been in teaching for eight years and the other for twenty. Everyone expected the teacher with more experience to get the job, but when a decision was made it was the person with less teaching experience who was chosen. The more experienced teacher complained to one of the School Board members, “I’ve got many more years of teaching than her, I’m far more qualified.”
The School Board member answered, “Yes sir, you do have much more teaching experience, but where she has eight years of teaching experience you have one year experience repeated twenty times.”
We sometimes assume that wisdom and intelligence are the same thing. They aren’t! Wise people have a variety of experiences – they get out and live – and they learn from those experiences. They don’t simply rely on theories, they put ideas into practice and learn from what happens – good or bad. They do the same thing every year for twenty years, they grow and develop and mature and adapt.
Intelligent people know things, wise people can take knowledge and apply it appropriately in different situations or environments. Intelligent people will often lack empathy or compassion for those who don’t know what they do. Wise people develop compassion and empathy and do not think their knowledge a reason to be proud or impatient.
Our actions (and words) reveal our wisdom. In today’s passage, James begins by asking who is wise and understanding. They should demonstrate it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. The wise person lives it out. They do good. They show kindness. They bless others.
At the heart of wisdom is humility. Proverbs 11:2 tells us, “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom.” Humble people see themselves the way God does. They do not think too much of themselves; they don’t take themselves too seriously; and they don’t think the universe revolves around them! Instead, they know they have received grace and they show that same grace and mercy to others.
James contrasts humble wisdom with its counterfeit. He says if we have bitter envy and selfish ambition in our hearts, if we are proud and want things for ourselves and claim to be wise, we are lying. Wise people do not think too much of themselves. Such “wisdom” that elevates self does not come from God, but is the wisdom of the world. In fact, James says it is unspiritual, demonic.
When we put ourselves first, we are acting like everyone else in the world. When we put our own interests first, we deny God His rightful place. Our envy and ambition will not lead to wisdom, but to disorder and evil. We will do whatever we need to do to protect our position and undermine others. It might be subtle and “passive-aggressive” or more “in your face”, but it is selfish, evil, and wrong.
James contrasts the worldly wisdom that is earthly and unspiritual with wisdom the wisdom that comes from heaven. Such wisdom is characterized by purity. A wise life keeps itself free from sin and impurity. It chooses God’s ways over its own. Pure living is humble, wise living.
James says wisdom is peace-loving, considerate, submissive. Wisdom wants to bring peace, not discord. It considers others’ needs and honors them with kindness and consideration. It is willing to submit its own desires to God. These are people who are teachable. These are people who see themselves and others the way God does. These are people who want to win hearts more than arguments.
Those how have godly wisdom are also full of mercy and good fruit. Out of the previous attitudes come actions. Wise people are merciful. They bear good fruit. They seek to do God’s will in all their lives and to respond to the promptings of the Holy Spirit in such a way that people know they are loved and are drawn to the grace of God.
James concludes the fruit of wisdom by saying it is impartial and sincere. Wisdom does not play favorites. It does not give the “movers and shakers” first place and ordinary people a lesser place. It does not defer to the rich or the powerful. They are sincere and true in their actions. They wisely see people’s value in Christ and live without hypocrisy in their actions.
James concludes by saying, Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness. At first glance, this might seem to be an odd way to finish his thought. But, worldly wisdom focuses on self and brings discord. It does not make peace but leaves people feeling used, dishonored, unvalued, disrespected.
Wisdom like that described here humbly invites people to something better. It shows value for others. It honors them. It shows respect. Such wisdom lives in a way that people see the love of God in action and are invited to experience peace with Him and with the person of wisdom!
Which wisdom leads your life? Are you following the wisdom from above or earthly wisdom?
Reflect on your heart. If you find jealousy, envy, ambition that is actually selfish, then you are living by the world’s wisdom. But, if you find purity, peace, gentleness, and mercy, you are living the wisdom of God.
Depending on where your heart is, take time to confess your wrong attitudes or actions to God. Ask for forgiveness. Know that when we confess our sin, God does forgive us (1 John 1:9). Ask God if there might be anything you need to do to make things right. Ask him for the grace to do it!