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“Heavenly Wisdom Vs Earthly Wisdom”
Heavenly Wisdom Versus Earthly Wisdom
(James 3:13-18)
Wade Webster
The third chapter began with James addressing teachers and talking about their words (Jam. 3:1–12). The chapter ends with James still addressing teachers and talking about their wisdom (Jam. 3:13-18). James argues that it will be evident by their conduct whether teachers get their wisdom from above or below, from heaven or from earth, from spiritual things or fleshly things, or from God or Satan. He wrote, “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace” (Jam. 3:13-18).
Earthly wisdom is characterized by bitterness, jealousy, selfishness, boasting, hypocrisy (lying against the truth), and fleshly pursuits (sensual). Teachers who are guided by this wisdom are bitter and envious of other teachers (Rom. 13:13; 2 Pet. 2:10). They are selfish (Rom. 2:8). They look only on their own things and not on the things of others. They seek their own things and not the things of Christ (Phil. 2:3-4, 21; 1 Cor. 10:24; 13:5). They brag about their accomplishments and pretend to be something that they are not (Rom. 1:30; 2 Tim. 3:1-9). Their focus is on earthly things and not on things above (Phil. 3:19; Col. 3:1-2). They leave division and disorder in their wake. That is the fruit that they produce.
Heavenly wisdom is characterized by purity, peacefulness, gentleness, submissiveness, mercy, goodness, impartiality, and sincerity. Teachers who are guided by this wisdom have pure motives. They are sincere and impartial. Rather than being self-seeking, they are meek, gentle, merciful, and willing to yield. Instead of producing confusion and evil works, they produce peace, order, righteousness, and good works (1 Cor. 14:33).
Whether teachers were guided by heavenly or earthly wisdom could easily be determined by examining their fruits (Mt. 7:15-20). If they were wise and understanding, then it would be evident from their conduct.
