Thursday | James 3:13-18
James 3:13-18
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. 15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. 18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
I remember going back and forth with a co-worker about the difference between wisdom and knowledge. Our conversation was fairly philosophical and then a patron walked by and quickly said “wisdom is knowing what to do with knowledge.” Our conversation quickly ended.
The Bible teaches us a great deal about wisdom and knowledge in addition to showing us that there is a distinction. To begin, one can gain a great deal of knowledge, but not have or exercise wisdom. However, one cannot have wisdom without having knowledge first.
James opens our time today with a rhetorical question and answers by writing that true wisdom is marked by works and humility. James’ question is not necessarily theological, but practical and his point is that humility is the result of knowing that we are unable to achieve it on our own. Thus, humility before God translates to humility toward others.
There are two kinds of wisdom: biblical wisdom and unbiblical wisdom. Unbiblical wisdom, James says, is rooted in jealousy and self-ambition and produces disorder. Biblical wisdom, however, bears the fruit of the Holy Spirit abiding in the Christian. James lists seven things:
Pure: a love for God and others is the motivation of your heart
Peaceable: The person who is peaceable understands that they were once enemies of God, but are not at peace with God.
Gentle: Understanding reconciliation and not being pushy.
Open to Reason: This means that you listen before you speak.
Full of Mercy and Good Fruit: Mercy is a motive of the heart and fruit is its result.
Impartial and Sincere: Love everyone the same, not withholding the grace that was first shown to you.
In the end, biblical wisdom produces righteousness and righteousness bears fruit because it is a righteousness that we did not obtain (Matthew 5:9), but imputed by Christ toward sinners.
Christian, has bitterness or jealousy taken root in your heart? Have you asked the Lord for wisdom? Do not hold back from approaching the throne of grace today for as you approach, you will find grace and mercy (Hebrews 4:16).