TRUE AND FALSE WISDOM

TRUE AND FALSE WISDOM
James 3:13-18
"But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure...." (v.17)

“WHO IS WISE AND UNDERSTANDING among you?" James asks (v.13). It is likely he is addressing those who presume to be teachers (v.1), and who consider themselves wise. Unfortunately, they do not show it in their lives. Instead, they manifest "bitter envy and selfish ambition" (vv.14,16).

These terms describe a person who seeks his own interests at the expense of others', and who will prevent others from seeking their interests if it jeopardises his. At the root of such a character is an all-consuming self-centredness. Such "wisdom" does not come from God. On the contrary, it is "earthy, unspiritual, of the devil" (v.15).

It is earthy because its perspective is limited only to the material. It is unspiritual because it leaves out God completely from its consideration. It is devilish because its origin is of the devil. The results of such "wisdom" can only be "disorder and every evil practice" (v.16). Chaos and all sorts of evil thrive.

In contrast, "the wisdom that comes from heaven" is utterly different. James brings together eight adjectives to describe it. It is first of all "pure", that is, free from all ulterior and selfish motives before God. Then the words following show the high value true wisdom places on human relationships: peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and so on. Instead of chaos, order and harmony are the fruits.

We need to examine ourselves today as to the kind of wisdom we use in our daily decision-making, our interaction with people, and our problem-solving processes. We may be wise, but are we wise in God's sight or only in the eyes of the world? Where is the orientation of our wisdom: God or self? We may also want to consider how we assess a person as wise, lest we pattern our lives and values after people who are worldly wise rather than those who are biblically wise.

Finally, we need to recognise true wisdom as a gift from God, 'from heaven" (v.17). John Calvin rightly points out, "No greater collapse could bring down the pride of man, than to find himself convicted of drawing all his wisdom from his own nature...Men who follow their own feelings will quickly slip into Satan's wiles." As James counsels us, "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously...." (1.5).