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Shoe-Leather Theology: A Study of James 73 These study notes are produced to coordinate with the weekly teaching series “Shoe-Leather Theology: A Study of James” by First Family Church, Ankeny, IA. More resources on this series are available at ffclife.com.

Shoe-Leather Theology: Study of James

Week 10 James 3:13-18

What Wisdom Wears “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.”– James 3:17

“Godly wisdom does not come overnight. It must be cultivated.” –Charles Stanley

A woodman’s old proverb says, “A tree is best measured when it’s down.” The true size and quality of a tree’s lumber can best be

determined after it’s been felled. So, too, the true measure of a person’s accomplishments can be seen at the end of his or her life.

–Chuck Swindoll

Shortly after Solomon was inaugurated king over Israel the Lord appeared to him in a dream at night and said, 'Ask! What shall I give you?' What a blank check opportunity! What would you ask for? What would be the priority of your heart? Scripture tells us that Solomon made an honorable and noble request: 'Give to Your servant an understanding heart' (1 Kings 3:1-9, NKJV). Solomon asked for wisdom. And later, in Proverbs 2, he extolled the value of wisdom for making life beneficial and worthwhile.

So, it comes as no surprise that wisdom plays an important role in James' world view. Remember, he presents it as the key to understanding life's varied experiences (1:5). It is likely that James here in 3:13-18 continues to address especially the teachers from verse 1. They carried a grave responsibility, as the section prior to this one demonstrated, and they needed wisdom to know what to say and how to say it. Genuine wisdom is contrasted with spurious wisdom in this passage. The author highlights three truths about false wisdom and three truths about true wisdom. They can be distinguished by their characteristics, source, and results.163

163 B. Dale Ellenburg and Christopher W. Morgan, Focus on the Bible Commentary – James: Wisdom for the Community, (Great Britain: Christian Focus Publications, 2008), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, 131.

Shoe-Leather Theology: A Study of James These study notes are produced to coordinate with the weekly teaching series “Shoe-Leather Theology: A Study of James” by First Family Church, Ankeny, IA. More resources on this series are available at ffclife.com.

VI. Instructions for the Tongue (3:13–18) A. The path it should follow (3:13, 17–18): In order to control the tongue, the

owner should always allow God’s wisdom. B. The path it should flee (3:14–16): The owner should never allow his or her

tongue to be influenced by Satan.164

Instructions for the Tongue (3:13-18)

One of the key themes in the Book of James is wisdom, or practical living directed by the Word of God (see 1:5). It is tragic when Christians lack practical wisdom to direct their affairs, both personally and in the church. Far too many people have the idea that to be "spiritual" means to be impractical—and nothing is farther from the truth! When the Holy Spirit guides us, He uses our minds, and He expects us to get the facts and weigh issues in the light of the Word of God. James indicates that there are two sources of wisdom and that the believer needs to be discerning. The tongue of the believer can be filled with true wisdom from above or the false wisdom from below.165

164 H. L. Willmington, The Outline Bible (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 1999), Jas 3:12–16.

165 Warren W. Wiersbe, Wiersbe's Expository Outlines – Wiersbe's Expository Outlines on the New Testament, (Colorado Springs, CO: Victor, 1992), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, 728-729.

Shoe-Leather Theology: A Study of James Page 175 These study notes are produced to coordinate with the weekly teaching series “Shoe-Leather Theology: A Study of James” by First Family Church, Ankeny, IA. More resources on this series are available at ffclife.com.

James 3:13-18 (ESV)

13] Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.

Now James returned to the responsibility of teachers mentioned in verse 1. Those equipped to be teachers were not only to be knowledgeable but to demonstrate their wisdom with a good conversation, a "good life" (RV).

The teacher is not to use his good conduct to draw attention to himself. This was the sin of hypocrites (Matthew 6:1-5). Jesus demonstrated the true spirit of the teacher when He said, "I am meek and lowly in heart" (Matthew 11:29). The godly teacher will not be selfishly ambitious and arrogant, but mild and gentle.166

'Who' is the relative pronoun tis, used rhetorically here as in Luke 11:11. James brings two synonyms into play. 'Wise' is from the familiar sophia, a term that speaks of a general understanding of life's principles; here it refers to the practical teacher. 'Understanding' is a more technical word used only here in the New Testament. It speaks of an expert, a skilled and scientific person. The two adjectives are found together nowhere else in the New Testament. Moreover, true, godly wisdom will be very apparent in its demonstration of good works and meekness.

Let him demonstrate by good conduct his deeds [done] in the meekness of wisdom (3:13). James' language here is awkward as we try to translate it into English. But James' point is nevertheless clear: true, godly wisdom fleshes itself out in consistent Christian behavior. 'Conduct' translates the Greek anastrophēs; it denotes the behavior, the walk, the actions of a person. Paul used the word to summarize his entire life in Judaism (Gal. 1:13). True wisdom, far from being aloof or abrasive or belligerent, will exhibit itself by a meek and gentle demeanor.

'Meekness' is the same word as in 1:21 – just as the one receiving the word should do so with humble gentleness, so should the teacher carry out his ministry. One of the wisest men I ever knew was a layman in a church where I served as pastor. He had a gentle, homespun way about him; he never wanted to be the center of attention. But his gentle, godly wisdom and his insight into decisions that needed to be made were invaluable to me as a young pastor. How different this is from the 'worldly wisdom' that often infiltrates the church.167

James instructs the wise person to demonstrate wisdom by good behavior and gentle deeds (3:13). The first refers to the changed lifestyle of a believer, a topic James already has treated in great depth (see 2:14–26). The life of a wise person changes toward the good, exhibiting ready obedience to God’s Word. This relates directly to the main message of James’s letter: real faith produces genuine works.

166 Thoralf Gilbrant, ed., The Complete Biblical Library – Hebrews-Jude, (Springfield, IL: World Library Press, Inc., 1989), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, 227-229.

167 Ellenburg and Morgan, 132.


Smarts, wits, and education do not make a person wise; what does make a person wise is how well his or her lifestyle reflects the truth.

Second, “deeds in the gentleness of wisdom” refers to wisdom-inspired humility and meekness. People today view “meekness” and “gentleness” as marks of weak, spineless folks who let others walk all over them. Not so in Scripture! “Gentleness” is an aspect of the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:23 and it’s closely tied to “self-control.” It’s a word used to describe a high-spirited horse brought under control. He hasn’t lost his natural strength, but he carries that strength with gentleness and humility. That’s biblical wisdom.168

False wisdom from below (vv. 14-16).

When we have bitterness and envy in our hearts, our tongues will express these things. It matters not how spiritual our teaching might be: if the tongue is not controlled by the Spirit from a loving heart, then we are imparting false wisdom. To their shame, Christians often believe this false wisdom and even glory in it! They know this "wisdom" contradicts the Bible, so they lie even against the truth of God's Word! False wisdom belongs to the world (earthly), the flesh (sensual), and the devil (devilish)—the three great enemies of the believer (Eph. 2:1-3). You can always tell when a church or a family follows false wisdom: you will find jealousy, division, and confusion. Instead of humbly depending on the Spirit and the Word, they look to the world for ideas and to the flesh for strength, and by so doing play right into the hands of the devil.

14] But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth.

“Jealousy” (translated “envying" in the KJV) is here used to translate zēlon which does not have a bad connotation in itself. It is used in a good sense in 2 Corinthians 11:2. Paul calls it "godly jealousy." The adjective "bitter" indicates James was referring to evil jealousy which carnal teachers can harbor. This same Greek word appears in Galatians 5:20 where it is translated "emulations."

"Strife" is translated as "selfish ambition" in the Revised Standard Version. This evil is also listed as a work of the flesh in Galatians 5:20.

If a teacher is dominated by jealousy and selfish ambition, he is instructed to stop being boastful and to stop lying against the truth. He repudiates the truth of the gospel by ungodly attitudes regardless of how wise he claims to be.169

168 Charles R. Swindoll, Insights on James and 1 & 2 Peter, Swindoll’s New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2010), 77.

169 The Complete Biblical Library – Hebrews-Jude, 229.


15] This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.

This wisdom is "earthbound" (NEB); it "comes from the world" (Phillips). Earthly wisdom originates with man and has only an earthly perspective. "Sensual" means literally "natural, belonging to the soul." It originates in the mind of natural man and stands in contrast to the wisdom of God's Word (2 Timothy 3:16) which is spiritually discerned (1 Corinthians 2:13,14).

Demonic power is the source of some kinds of wisdom. Paul warned that some people would give "heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils" (1 Timothy 4:1; cf. 1 John 4:1).170

This counterfeit wisdom has three characteristics. First, its viewpoint is of this world. 'Earth' is from epi and gē, literally 'upon the earth.' It does not have a heavenly point of view. Second, it is 'sensual,' or soulish (psuchikos) as opposed to spiritual. In fact, Martin notes that the five instances of the adjective, here and in 1 Corinthians 2:14; 15:44, 46; Jude 19, suggest a condition that is devoid of the Spirit of God. It looks more like unregenerate human nature than regenerate. Third, and even worse, this kind of bogus wisdom is 'demonic' (daimoniōdēs). This is an adjective found only here in the New Testament, and the indictment is quite serious. Demons are real personalities just as the devil or Satan himself.

Does James mean that those teachers who abuse with their tongues are 'demon-like' or that they are instigated by actual demons? We know that in the New Testament demons were responsible for evil thoughts and even outright hostility against God and man. James seems to suggest that, in some cases at least, the fruit of these teachers' tongues resembled demons more than God. James will tell the community in 4:7 to 'resist the devil,' and nowhere else are he and his minions more active than in using the tongue to tear down and mislead. Worldly 'wisdom' will destroy a church, a family, or a society in its attempt to exert its own will. And the source of such wisdom is hell itself.171

16] For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.

James has referred to the evils of envy and strife in verse 14. Now he shows the harm they can produce if allowed to remain—"confusion" (akatastasia). It is related to the word translated "unstable" (akatastatos) in 1:8. Earthly wisdom results in confusion and instability, while godly wisdom results in harmony and stability.172

170 The Complete Biblical Library – Hebrews-Jude, 229. 171 Ellenburg and Morgan, 134. 172 The Complete Biblical Library – Hebrews-Jude, 229.


'For' ties this verse to the preceding one and justifies the severe condemnation of this 'wisdom.' It is accompanied by disastrous social results. Both 'bitterness' and 'selfish ambition' are used in verse 14 of those who claim to have wisdom.

When such a deleterious mindset is present, the outcome will be: confusion and all kinds of evil deeds (3:16) James has used the word 'confusion' (akatastasia) twice already: in 1:8 and 3:8 to describe an unstable man and a restless tongue. Here the noun points to the restlessness, disorder and chaos produced in the assembly by worldly wisdom. God cannot be the author of such 'wisdom' that destroys the fellowship of the body.

'Evil' or 'vile' translates phaulon, an adjective marking the moral character of a person or activity. It is used in John 3:20 and Titus 2:8 of worthless, empty activity. James is concerned for the unity of the body, and where unruly tongues and worldly wisdom reign the result will be selfishness, confusion, and the like. Remember that this is James the peacemaker from Acts 15 and 21:18-25. He labored to keep the opposing parties together in Christ. It is that same spirit that breathes through this passage.

The strong adversative 'but' (de) marks James' transition to discuss the source, characteristics, and result of true wisdom.173

Five Characteristics of Counterfeit Wisdom

James gives five characteristics of counterfeit wisdom dominated by the flesh, the opposite of wisdom given from above. The human heart generates this fleshly wisdom.

1. Arrogant (3:14). The Greek word used here basically means to exult over others. For wicked people, it means proudly justifying one’s own sinful actions. This is contrary to God-inspired humility. The great theologian Charles Hodge said it best: “The Bible doctrine concerning man … is eminently adapted to make him what he was designed to be: to exalt without inflating; to humble without degrading.”

2. Lying against the truth (3:14). Despite what a lot of philosophers, theologians, and, yes, preachers, are saying today, truth remains an immovable standard. Forget postmodern concepts of relative truth or the uncertainty of truth. God’s revealed truth corresponds to the way things really are. The unwise, however, change their truth standard to match their beliefs or lifestyles.

3. Earthly (3:15). The word means “of the earth,” and James contrasts it with wisdom “from above.” It’s a purely horizontal perspective—worldly measures of truth, earthly standards of success, material motives, and temporal priorities.



4. Natural (3:15). This fourth characteristic of the unwise literally means “soulish.” The Greek word psychikos is related to our word “psyche,” which applies to the self—the inner human motives. The source of this wisdom is our own thoughts, attitudes, interests, and pursuits, not the Spirit’s wisdom from above.

5. Demonic (3:15). This doesn’t necessarily mean their worldly wisdom comes straight from demonic beings, though in some cases that may be so. Rather, the emphasis is on wisdom that reflects a philosophy or pattern of thinking so contrary to God’s truth that Satan himself could endorse it.174

True wisdom from above (vv. 17-18).

Truly wise believers do not need to advertise the fact that they are wise; you will see it expressed in their daily life (edifying conversation and good behavior) and attitude (meekness). Knowledge puffs up (1 Cor. 8:1), but spiritual wisdom humbles us and keeps us from being arrogant. While the false wisdom has its origin in the world, the flesh, and the devil, the true wisdom "comes down from above" (see 1:17). It comes from God, by the Spirit; it is not invented by the mind of man.

This true wisdom is pure; there is no error in the Word of God. It is peaceable: it leads to peace and harmony, not discord (see 4:1-10). Man's method for attaining peace is to sacrifice purity for the sake of harmony, but God does not work that way. Where people bow to the pure Word of God, there will always be peace.

The wisdom from above is also gentle; gentleness includes patience and forbearance. When the flesh controls the tongue, it unleashes a flood of words without self-control or a willingness to listen to others. "A fool vents all his feelings," says Prov. 29:11 (NKJV). The wise person uses gentleness and persuasion with patience; he or she does not threaten or accuse. "Easy to be intreated" (v. 17) suggests a willingness to yield, or to be reasonable. Wise people are full of mercy, not quick to judge or condemn; their lives are full of good fruits. There is no wavering ("partiality," 1:6 and 2:4); though they are willing to yield, they are not willing to compromise with the truth. Finally, true wisdom will not allow for hypocrisy; the truth is spoken and is backed with a true motive.

17] But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.

Individually and corporately, we need to go before God and pray for wisdom. We ought to be desperate for it. All believers should have the attitude of Solomon in 1 Kings 3, who confessed that he was but a child and in need of God's help (1 Kgs 3:7-9). Only God can give this wisdom, which is why godly wisdom is motivated by

174 Charles R. Swindoll, Insights on James and 1 & 2 Peter, Swindoll’s New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2010), 78-80.


God-centered humility. In verses 17-18 James says, "But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without favoritism and hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who cultivate peace." Consider how these characterizations of wisdom in James are evident in the Beatitudes in Jesus' Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5:3-12:

• Pure: "The pure in heart are blessed, for they will see God" (Matt 5:8).

• Peace-loving: "The peacemakers are blessed, for they will be called sons of God" (Matt 5:9).

• Gentle/Considerate: "The gentle are blessed, for they will inherit the earth" (Matt 5:5).

• Compliant/Submissive: "The poor in spirit are blessed, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs" (Matt 5:3).

• Full of mercy: "The merciful are blessed, for they will be shown mercy" (Matt 5:7).

• Full of good fruit: "Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness are blessed, for they will be filled" (Matt 5:6).

When you read James 3:17 in the original language, you see that James has organized these characteristics of wisdom in a beautiful literary style. They are grouped by the way they sound, and the result is a beautiful picture of the blessing of the wisdom that comes from God (Blomberg and Kamell, James, 175). This wisdom is God-centered—"The pure in heart are blessed, for they will see God" (Matt 5:8)—not self-centered. It's also humble, which is what James means in 3:13 when he refers to wisdom's "gentleness." Wisdom from God produces humility in man. But the world is exactly the opposite: Wisdom from the world produces self-centered pride in man.175

It must be understood that God's wisdom is pure from all that is earthly, sensual, and devilish. The wisdom which is from below, from the world, is the complete opposite.

Divine wisdom is "peaceable" in contrast to earthly wisdom which creates confusion. It is peace-loving and produces "peacemakers" (Matthew 5:9). It is "gentle"; that is, it is fair, forbearing and considerate, in contrast to the arrogant spirit produced by earthly wisdom. It is "easy to be entreated," that is, reasonable as opposed to harsh or stubborn. It is "full of mercy and good fruits." God's wisdom

175 David Platt, – Exalting Jesus In James: Christ-Centered Exposition, ed. David Platt, Daniel L. Akin, Tony Merida, (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman, 2014), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, 84-85.


results in compassion for the suffering, and produces good works as opposed to the evil work (3:16) resulting from human wisdom. The wisdom from above is "without partiality" (literally "undivided"). There is no indecision about commitment to God. It is "without hypocrisy." There is no attempt to pretend or to make a good impression.176

The wisdom that God gives is 'first pure,' first in the sense of priority and rank. A key attribute of God that He desires us to remember is that He is holy, and that is the root word here (hagios). It means that God and His wisdom are free from fault, without deficiency, and devoid of anything sinful. God's wisdom loves peace and spreads it everywhere it operates. The Greek adjective is eirēnikē, from the familiar noun for peace, eirēnē. Here and in Hebrews 12:11 are the only instances of this adjective in the New Testament. 'Gentle' is from epieikēs, an old adjective meaning fair, reasonable, equitable. Robertson points out that no English word satisfactorily renders it. It appears three other times in the New Testament (1 Tim. 3:3; Titus 3:2; 1 Pet. 2:18). English versions employ a variety of terms: 'considerate' (NIV, neb); 'forbearing' (Moffatt); 'courteous' (Weymouth). However it is translated, it is a descriptive word describing greatness of character.

'Easily entreated' could be translated 'reasonable.' It occurs only here in the New Testament and speaks of a conciliatory nature – one that is open to reason. This quality, unlike the world's point of view, is not self-seeking and is ready to yield to others (Phil. 2:3). Not surprisingly, it is also 'full of mercy and good fruit.' The concept of being 'full of mercy' suggests one who is more than willing to help and minister to others. The same benevolence that God bestowed on us should be transferred to others. As God did for us, this kind of character is willing to 'get its hands dirty' in ministering to those in need. 'Good fruit' speaks of the good works that a righteous person will exhibit (Matt. 7:17-20). The fruit discloses the root; the tree will bear fruit in keeping with its nature.

The last two descriptions of wisdom from God are 'impartial' (adiakritos) and 'without hypocrisy' (anupokritos). 'Impartial' occurs only here in the New Testament and refers to one who shows no favoritism. In this context it seems to mean that godly wisdom is consistent; it does not waver between convictions depending on the circumstance. It is the opposite of the duplicitous nature of the tongue in verses 9-12. A person of true wisdom is not shifty, turning to catch the prevailing winds that blow at the time. This attribute describes God – He does not change or waver. "Without hypocrisy' or 'sincere' closes this telling description of true wisdom. It refers to being straightforward and is used to qualify love in Romans 12:9 and 1 Corinthians 6:6.

176 Thoralf Gilbrant, ed., The Complete Biblical Library – Hebrews-Jude, (Springfield, IL: World Library Press, Inc., 1989), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, 229-231.


Wiersbe offers a helpful discussion on how we receive this wisdom. First, our wisdom comes from the Lord Jesus who saved us and indwells us through His Holy Spirit. In Him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Col. 2:3). Second, the Word of God is a source of wisdom: 'Keep [the words of Scripture] and do them for this is your wisdom and understanding' (Deut. 4:5, 6). Third, we find wisdom through believing prayer, for God has promised to give it (1:5). Our only source of true wisdom and understanding is God; to seek it from any other source – whether humanism, relativism, existentialism, or subjectivism – is to build our lives on an unstable foundation.177

18] And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

Verse 16 describes the evil results of worldly, spurious wisdom; now in verse 18 we see the results of true, godly wisdom. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace (3:18)

The structure of this sentence leaves room for a wide variety of possibilities and the English translations reflect that fact. One concern is how to render the genitive 'of righteousness.' Is it appositional: 'the fruit which is righteousness'? Or is it subjective: 'the fruit which righteous living produces'? Either way James sums up the substance of all that he has been saying. He has spoken of good works and peace, of a living faith and not a dead creed. However we take the genitive phrase, righteousness is directly related to peace. This comes as no surprise as James writes to a congregation divided over rank, status, and wealth. 'Sown in peace' contains the present passive indicative of speiro, 'to sow.' The point of the grammar here is significant: one's life should consist of habitually sowing the seed of peace. Those who love peace innately sow peace everywhere they go. And nowhere is this peacemaking wisdom needed more than in the body of Christ!

The context of this passage demands that we appreciate that there may be two sorts of teachers. We must not forget that teachers were James' subject in the earlier part of the chapter. Teachers use their tongues more than most, and it is by our tongues, more than anything else, that we show the kind of wisdom that predominates in our life.

Teachers reveal by their tongues what kind of wisdom they possess. Self-appointed teachers, not called by God, will probably not be bothered very much if what they teach is not exhibited in their own lives. Their selfish motives may lead them to cause factions and disorder. Genuine Christian teachers, however, called by God and filled with His Spirit, though not perfect, will be most concerned about truth and their example (good life and deeds, v. 13). They will sow in peace and



produce a harvest of practical righteousness in men's and women's lives by means of their consistent teaching and example.178

Eight Characteristics of True Wisdom

1. Pure. Wisdom from above is “first pure.” The word “first” means more than merely first on a list. It indicates first in order of importance. God-given wisdom produces purity of internal motives as well as external actions. This kind of lifestyle has a built-in promise, as Jesus said: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Matt. 5:8). Purity of thought and deed helps us see God working in all of our circumstances.

2. Peaceable. In contrast to the “bitter jealousy” and “selfish ambition” of the unwise, God-given wisdom produces peaceful relationships. The natural tendency is to be argumentative, quarrelsome, belligerent, and quick-tempered. But God’s supernatural life within us guards against alienating others. Rather, it seeks to remove ill will. Jesus has a promise for the peaceable: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God” (Matt. 5:9).

3. Gentle. The third characteristic of a wise person is gentleness. This is a different Greek word than the word translated “gentleness” in 3:13. That verse emphasized humility. In verse 17, the meaning is “equitable, moderate, yielding.” It describes a person who surrenders his rights for a higher ideal. In our day, when people feel their rights have been violated, they strike out with a lawsuit over the most insignificant offenses. That’s the world’s wisdom: petty, contentious, selfish, bitter. But with God’s wisdom, we meet petty infractions of our “rights” with a different kind of ethic: “Whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also” (Matt. 5:39–40).

4. Reasonable. This Greek word appears only here in the New Testament. It comes from two Greek words, “well” and “persuadable.” Together they mean, “easily persuaded.” But don’t get the wrong idea. This doesn’t mean a wise person is a naïve pushover! Rather, it has the sense of “teachable,” somebody who puts aside stubbornness and readily yields to the truth. It can refer to a person who is conciliatory, flexible, and open to change. When the Spirit of God captures the heart and does His work deep within, He softens us.

Abraham’s relationship with Lot in Genesis 13 exemplifies this kind of conciliatory attitude. God had blessed these two men with so much livestock that the same fields could no longer sustain their herds. Now remember, Abraham was the older of the two, and he was the one to whom God had promised all the land of Canaan. He could have said, “Lot, take your herdsmen and your flocks and move on.” But he didn’t. According to Genesis 13:8–9, “Abram said to Lot, ‘Please let there be no strife between you and me, nor between my herdsmen and your herdsmen, for we are brothers. Is not the whole land

178 B. Dale Ellenburg and Christopher W. Morgan, Focus on the Bible Commentary – James: Wisdom for the Community, (Great Britain: Christian Focus Publications, 2008), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, 137-138.


before you? Please separate from me; if to the left, then I will go to the right; or if to the right, then I will go to the left.’ ” Now, that’s a man of wisdom—reasonable … cooperative … flexible.

5. Merciful. The fifth character trait of those who exhibit wisdom from above is mercy. If grace is giving a person a blessing he or she doesn’t deserve, mercy is withholding a just punishment a person does deserve. Mercy implies looking on somebody with compassion when they probably deserve punishment. While worldly wisdom would heap on ridicule or judgment, mercy shows kindness and benevolence.

6. Bountiful. Wise people are filled with “good fruits.” James ties this closely with the previous quality, “mercy.” It probably refers to the outward actions that accompany the attitude of pity for others. A person who has genuine mercy will give bountiful blessings to others. In the last chapter, James used the example of the useless “faith” of those who saw a brother or sister in need but who refused to do anything about it (2:15–16). Godly wisdom, however, puts mercy to work, abounding in fruitful deeds.

7. Unwavering. This term suggests a person with fixed principles, who will never violate biblical standards regardless of the situation. This steadfast person is never willing to compromise on the truth of Scripture. Never! Now, this doesn’t contradict the earlier characteristic of “reasonableness.” Rather, James indicates the balance that true wisdom brings. A wise person does not take the virtue of steadfastness to the extreme of ornery legalism, nor does he or she take flexibility to the extreme of compromising on absolute truth. That kind of balance takes true wisdom … and that comes only from above.

8. Sincere. Finally, James describes wisdom from above as “unhypocritical.” The Greek word hypokrisis comes from a term used to describe an actor playing two parts. In Greek plays one actor would often switch masks, costumes, or props to take on different roles. (The fewer actors who put on a play, the larger the cut from the ticket sales!) When the actor played a comedic role, he would wear a mask with a big smile. For a tragic character, the mask would change to sorrow. He’d then run off the stage and come out with an angry face for the villain. That’s the essence of hypocrisy—a shiftiness, instability, unpredictability. But believers endowed with the Spirit of wisdom will live a life of sincerity. All the masks come off and they follow the WYSIWYG principle: “What You See Is What You Get.”179

179 Swindoll, 81–83.


Fruits of the Unwise Fruits of the Wise

Godly wisdom sees things from an eternal perspective that can only come from

God. We must go to Him constantly in prayer and in the Word, crying out to Him in order to receive His wisdom. This is the point of Proverbs 2:1-8:

My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, listening closely to wisdom

and directing your heart to understanding; furthermore, if you call out to insight

and lift your voice to understanding, if you seek it like silver

and search for it like hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and discover the knowledge of God.

For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.

He stores up success for the upright; He is a shield for those who live with integrity

so that He may guard the paths of justice and protect the way of His loyal followers.


Stepping In the Light Eliza E. Hewitt & William J. Kirkpatrick

Trying to walk in the steps of the Savior, Trying to follow our Savior and King; Shaping our lives by His blessed example, Happy, how happy, the songs that we bring.

Pressing more closely to Him Who is leading, When we are tempted to turn from the way; Trusting the arm that is strong to defend us, Happy, how happy, our praises each day.

Walking in footsteps of gentle forbearance, Footsteps of faithfulness, mercy, and love; Looking to Him for the grace freely promised, Happy, how happy, our journey above.

Trying to walk in the steps of the Savior, Upward, still upward we’ll follow our Guide; When we shall see Him, ‘the King in His beauty’, Happy, how happy, our place at His side.


Contrasting Worldly Wisdom vs. Godly Wisdom

Worldly Wisdom Godly Wisdom

• It comes from hell. • It’s of the devil. • It is earthly/fleshly. • It is combative. • It leads to disorder. • It comes from trusting yourself. • It is rooted in bitter jealousy and

selfish ambition. • It unleashes the tongue and

employs it as a weapon of self-promotion and destruction.

• It leads to strife and quarreling. • It produces a corrupted character. • It is hypocritical. • It sees life from man’s perspective. • It focuses on the here and now. • It seeks the advancement and

pleasure of self. • It asks the question, “What’s in it

for me?” • It is the antithesis of everything

that is from God. • It produces a world of

unrighteousness. • It is subtle and deceitful.

• It comes from heaven • It’s of the Lord. • It’s Spirit-filled. • It is gentle. • It leads to peace. • It comes from trusting God. • It is rooted in meekness and

humility. • It tames the tongue and employs it

as an instrument of grace and mercy.

• It leads to unity. • It produces Godly character. • It is without hypocrisy. • It sees life from God’s perspective. • It focuses on eternity. • It seeks to die to self, take up the

cross and follow Christ. • It asks the question, “what would

God have me to do?” • It is the antithesis of everything

that is of the devil. • It produces a harvest of

righteousness. • It is open and authentic.


Real Wisdom Jerry Vines

James 3:13-18

The Bible talks to us about a "know so" salvation. In the writings of the Apostle John, in particular I John, we are told that it is possible to have a "know so" salvation. Brother James comes along, and he also says that there is a "show so" salvation. He says in verse 13, "Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? Let him show."

Do you remember when you were in kindergarten and how they used to have show and tell? You would bring something and show it and tell about it. James says that that is the way the faith ought to be, that our faith should be a faith which we show by our daily life.

What he's saying here is that if you are a wise person you will show that you are a wise person by the kind of life that you live. Your lifestyle will demonstrate whether or not you have the wisdom of God in your life.

The Bible says that you can have wisdom. In Chapter 1, verse 5, it says, "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, who giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not, and it shall be given him." It is possible to have the wisdom of God in your life.

Here's what James is going to do in these verses. I'm going to try to unpack the verses for you and make it very simple and easy to understand. But in these verses James is going to make a contrast between two kinds of wisdom. He is going to talk about the wisdom which is from above and the wisdom which is from below.

In verse 17 we see the wisdom which is from above. Verse 15 says, "This wisdom decendeth not from above." There is a wisdom from above. There is a wisdom from below. There is a heavenly wisdom and there is an earthly wisdom. There is a wisdom which is divine and there is a wisdom which is devilish, and he's going to contrast the two.

In the process of that we are going to meet two individuals. We're going to meet Mr. Wise and we're going to meet Mr. Otherwise.

I. Earthly Wisdom.

First of all, let's talk about the earthly wisdom that James sets before us. In this earthly wisdom we are going to see Mr. Otherwise. He talks about this earthly wisdom in verse 14, 15 and 16. He shares with us some of the characteristics of an earthly wisdom.

There are some people who operate on the basis of this kind of earthly wisdom. James tells us what the characteristics of this earthly wisdom are. He tells us in verse 14, first of all, that its motives are all wrong. Look at verse 14 specifically those three words, "In your hearts."


Its Motives Are Wrong He is talking about motives now. Our motives cannot be seen by other people.

Motives are matters of the heart. You and I can't see what's going on in the hearts of individuals. The Bible says that man looketh on the outward appearance but God looketh on the heart. It is only God who knows the motives of people's hearts. We really don't know. The Bible makes it very, very clear that by God actions are weighed.

But the motives of the heart are demonstrated here by the use of two words that are quite familiar in the New Testament. In verse 14 he talks about the motives of the heart, and he says, "But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts."

Look at the two words. We will look at bitter envying first. The word envying carries the idea of jealousy. It means to be jealous because of the good fortune of someone else. It means that somebody has a job you would like to have. It means that somebody has a boyfriend you wish you had. It means jealousy at the good fortune of someone else. "Bitter envying."

Then he says on the other hand strife. The word strife I think is quite particular at this special time of the year because its original meaning was used of a politician who was politicking for office. In order to politick for office and try to get the office, the politician would resort to any means whatsoever in order to get himself elected. Does that sound familiar to you?

He is saying that when there is bitter envying in your heart, that is, the desire to pull somebody else down, and when there is strife in your heart, that is, the desire to lift yourself up, then this wisdom is an earthly wisdom.

You will find in the New Testament that envy and strife go together. They are the treacherous twins. It is possible for God's children to have these treacherous twins in their hearts. Sometimes it even makes its way among the people of God and in the church of the Lord.

Its Marks Are Wrong He begins by characterizing this wisdom which is from below, this earthly wisdom,

by saying that its motives are all wrong. But then he moves on and points out, secondly, that its marks are all wrong. Verse 15 says, "This wisdom descendeth not from above." Then he uses three words. He says it is earthly, it is sensual, and it is devilish.

The word earthly means that which arises from the earth, that which is earthly in nature. It is looking at things from an earthly point of view. Unfortunately, there are even those among the people of God and those in the church of the Lord that look at things purely from an earthly perspective.

The church of the Lord Jesus Christ is a spiritual institution. While we always want to use good sound business principles in our church and activities, we must always be aware of the fact that the church is not primarily an earthly institution. It is a heavenly institution. It is God who has brought His church into existence.

We must operate not on the basis of earthly wisdom. Let me give an example to you. We know that we have to have finances in order to have a church. Our church spends


well over a half million dollars a year just on electricity to keep the lights on in this building. We have to have finances. But if you are not very careful, you will look at everything from an earthly material standpoint.

Think about it for a moment. Let's just suppose that this morning for some strange reason when the offering plates were passed, nobody put in an envelope. Not one dime was put in the plate. Then let's just suppose that tonight when the offering plates were passed again, for some strange reason not a single envelope, not a dollar bill was placed in those plates. Then let's imagine that come Wednesday night and the offering plates are passed again and not a dime comes in. For a solid week not one dime comes in through the offering plate. I will guarantee you that there would be an emergency meeting of the Finance Committee before this week was over. Well we should.

Then think about it. It is possible for a church to be concerned about its finances and let a service go by and people not be saved and let another service go by and people not be saved, and there not be a great deal of concern. The church of the Lord Jesus Christ exists primarily to give people an opportunity to know Christ as their personal Savior, and you and I ought to be greatly concerned that souls are being saved in our church. When we don't, we have an earthly wisdom instead of a heavenly wisdom.

Then he uses the word sensual. The word sensual is psuchikos. It's from where we get words like psychic, psychology, psychotherapy. What he is saying here is that earthly wisdom is sensual in nature. It is psychological in nature. It is a basic passion in nature. When we appeal only to the earthly nature and when we do not appeal to the spiritual nature, then the Bible says that we have an earthly wisdom.

Then it says that it is devilish. The devil whispers in people's ears. You are sitting in a committee meeting somewhere and the devil whispers in your ear, "Why don't you suggest this?" You haven't prayed about it. You haven't consulted the Word of God about it. You don't know what God wants to do about the matter, but the devil told you that that would be a smart thing for you to say and you put that forth as wisdom. The Bible says that is a devilish wisdom.

Its Manifestations Are Wrong Earthly wisdom is wrong. It is all wrong in its marks. But it is all wrong in its

manifestations. Verse 16 says, "For where envying and strife," there the twins are again, "are, there is confusion and every evil work." What it's saying is that when we operate on the basis of earthly wisdom, it produces confusion, that is, it produces disorder. It produces instability and it produces every evil work. It produces the things of the world and work which are worthless in value.

I'm so thankful for our fellowship here and I'm thankful that all through these years we have had godly people in places of leadership and the study of the Word and the truth of scripture has always been primary in everything we do here. I hear scary stories and sad stories from all over the country of churches that are in utter confusion. "There is confusion." The Bible says in I Corinthians 14, verse 13, that God is not the author of confusion but He is the God of order.

In II Corinthians 12 I want to show you a picture of the church which is operating on the basis of earthly wisdom instead of spiritual wisdom. Let me show you what God

Shoe-Leather Theology: A Study of James 1 These study notes are produced to coordinate with the weekly teaching series “Shoe-Leather Theology: A Study of James” by First Family Church, Ankeny, IA. More resources on this series are available at ffclife.com.

has to say in His Word that will take place in a church like that, and this is the picture in many congregations around our land this evening.

Paul is talking to the church at Corinth. They were having all kinds of problems because they were operating on earthly wisdom instead of heavenly wisdom. It says in this verse, "For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not; lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults." That is the picture of a lot of congregations in America this evening. It is a wisdom characterized by earthly consideration.

II. Heavenly Wisdom.

We see first of all Mr. Otherwise. But now let's think for a moment in verses 17 and 18 about Mr. Wise. We will see that Mr. Wise operates on the basis of heavenly wisdom.

Verse 17 says, "But the wisdom that is from above." Connect that with chapter 1, verse 17. It says, "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variableness, neither shadow of turning." In other words, God says, "I have a wisdom from above." Mr. Wise uses the wisdom which is from above.

Here's what you will find in verse 17. You will notice that he mentions eight characteristics of divine, heavenly wisdom. You will discover that these eight characteristics are organized into four couplets. They tie together, each of these couplets.

It Is Pure and Peaceable For instance, he says in verse 17 first of all, "But the wisdom that is from above is

first pure, then peaceable." He's saying that the wisdom which is from above is first of all clean in its desires. It is first pure and then it is peaceable. The wisdom which is from above is pure in its motives. It comes out of a pure heart.

How do you live your life? Do you do it out of a pure heart? How do you serve the Lord Jesus Christ? Do you do it with pure motives?

In I Timothy 5, verse 22, the Bible says, "Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins; keep thyself pure." It is so important that we stay pure in our hearts and that we keep our hearts clean. Do you serve the Lord from pure motives?

I think about these wonderful singers. Why do you sing? I think about these wonderful players. Why do you play? Do you do it for love of the Lord Jesus Christ? Then God blesses your music. I think about you wonderful teachers and those of you who work in so many places of services in our fellowship. Let me urge you to be sure that everything you do, whether you teach or whatever role of position of leadership you have or whatever place of service, do it all with purity of motives.

The wisdom that is from above is first pure. Then he says that it is peaceable. That means that it is a kind of purity that produces a peaceable kind of approach. It is pure in its desires, clean in its desires.

Peaceable, making peace. Are you a peacemaker? Jesus said, "Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the sons of God."


Everywhere Mr. Wise goes, because he has no ulterior motives, because he is not filled with bitter envy and strife, because he is not trying to push others down and push himself up, everywhere he goes he is a peacemaker.

He is a lover of peace. He produces peace. Don't we need some peacemakers today? But, not peace at any cost. Not peace at the expense of purity. Someone says you Southern Baptists have been having a big fuss. Well, at least we believe enough to fuss about. When the integrity of the Word and the purity of the Word of God is at stake that's worth fighting for. You do away with the Word, you pollute and taint the Word, and stain the Word and you don't have anything left. It is a peace that is built on purity. It's clean in it's desires is the wisdom of Mr. Wise.

It is Gentle and Considerate Not only is it clean in its desires, but it's considerate in its disposition. The next two

things go together -- gentle and easy to be entreated. Gentle! Considerate! A sweet reasonableness. Mr. Wise is not hard to get along with. Some folks you just can't get a long with.

Paul said in Romans if it be possible as much as lies within you live peaceably with all men. But there is the indication in that statement that there are some folks hard to get along with. Mr. Wise is gentle.

He is considerate. There is a sweet reasonableness about him. Not only that he is easy to be entreated. That means he is flexible on nonessentials. You get Mr. Otherwise on a committee and you have problems because he is just as rigid and unyielding as he can be. He thinks he has all the answers. His basic philosophy is my mind is made up, don't confuse me with the facts. Ever met anybody like that? If the sign is black–he says it's white and the United Nations couldn't convince him it is black.

Mr. Wise is different. Mr. Wise is easy to be entreated. He is willing to sit down and discuss the matter. He is willing to be flexible on nonessentials. He doesn't have to have his way all the time. Mr. Wise is always looking for ways that he can work with people instead of working against people. This would be a good attitude to have in the family– gentle and easy to be entreated.

Are you gentle in your dealings with people? Are you gentle in your disposition? Are you gentle in the way you love people? A person who is gentle is even willing sometimes to ask forgiveness when really they don't even need to be forgiven.

It Is Full of Mercy and Good Fruits Then look at this next couplet. Not only easy to be entreated but compassionate in

dealings. Notice what it says. "Full of mercy and good fruits." There are two ways for a person to live their Christian life. Some Christians live

their Christian life on the judgment side of life. I want to live on the mercy side of life. Mercy means that you do not get what you deserve.

Jesus told a parable one time about mercy. He talked about a person who owed a great deal of money. He went and pleaded to the person he owed the money to. He said, "Have patience with me and I'll pay you back." The man had mercy on him. That man


walked right out and encountered someone who owed him just a little tiny amount and refused to have mercy on him.

The Bible says that we ought to be merciful in our dealings with one another. If you want to have mercy, you've got to be willing to give mercy. Are you merciful in your dealings with other people?

He says, "Full of mercy and good fruits." The person who has heavenly wisdom in their life is a person who does good things to other people. That person with a heavenly wisdom who is full of mercy and good fruits hears about somebody having a hard time. They sit down and they write a little note of encouragement and just say to them, "I want you to know that I love you and I'm praying for you." Have you ever got a note like that from somebody? When a person does that they are full of mercy and good fruits.

Or they hear about somebody who is having a tough time. They send in the mail some cash or they see that some cash gets to the person and the person never knows where it came from. They are full of good fruits. They are doing something to help somebody out in a tough time. That's the wisdom of God. That's the wisdom that comes from above.

The wisdom from above is clean in its motives. It is considerate in its disposition. It is compassionate in its dealings. It is consistent in its deliberations.

It Is Without Partiality and Hypocrisy Let's look at the last two. "Without partiality and without hypocrisy." The word

"without partiality" means without favoritism. It means it doesn't show favorites. It treats everybody the same. Don't you like people who treat everybody the same?

The Bible says that God is like that. God doesn't show partiality. James talks about that in the church in chapter 2. His whole theme in the opening verses of chapter 2 is that there be no partiality in the house of God, no favoritism in the house of the Lord.

"Without partiality," and then he says, "Without hypocrisy." The word hypocrisy was a word that was used in the New Testament time of putting on a mask and playing a part.

On the stage they would put masks on and they would play a part. They were called hypocrites. In other words, play actors.

The person who has a heavenly wisdom is not a play actor. He doesn't put on a show. He doesn't put on different faces. What you see is what you get. They are the same everywhere.

On the one hand we have Mr. Otherwise. His wisdom is from below. It is devilish. We have Mr. Wise. His wisdom is from above and it is divine.

When I go down through these and I list all of these different things, and when I take a look at my own life, I'm afraid I see too often too much of Mr. Otherwise and not enough of Mr. Wise in my life. When I look at these characteristics again I cannot help but notice the Lord Jesus Christ in these words.

When you look at this wisdom which is from above, you will discover that this is a beautiful picture of the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus was pure. Jesus was peaceable. Jesus was gentle. Jesus was easy to be entreated. Jesus was full of mercy. Jesus was full of good works. Jesus was without partiality and Jesus was without hypocrisy.


You say, "It's easy for Jesus to be that way. He was the Son of God. I could never be that way." Let me give you a promise. In Galatians 2, verse 20, it says, "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."

Here's the good news of the Christian life. I can never be what the Bible requires me to be. I can never live the life that God expects me to live. But when you receive Jesus Christ as your personal Savior, the Bible says that God, the Holy Spirit, comes to live in your heart. The Spirit of Christ now dwells in your life. Christ now living in your life can live His life through your life and can help you to live the life of the Lord Jesus Christ in your daily life.

Every day of our life we should pray and say, "Lord, help me to be less of Mr. Otherwise and help me to be more of Mr. Wise. Lord, help me to be less of me and what I am by my old fallen nature and help me to be more of what You want me to be by the power of the new nature which Christ delivers in my life."

Verse 18 says, "And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by them that make peace." Let me give you a good paraphrase of what that verse is saying. Peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness. When we become what God wants us to be and live that life of heavenly wisdom, we sow seeds of peace and we reap a harvest of righteousness.

I wonder this evening if there are some of you in this service that would say, "Preacher, I'm afraid there has been too much of Mr. Otherwise in me. I have lived my life on the basis of earthly wisdom, but I need to switch over and live on the basis of heavenly wisdom."

Let me tell you the wisest thing you will ever do. When I was a 9-year-old boy, on a Sunday afternoon a friend of mine came by. My folks in that day were nominal Christians. They were occasional Sunday morning Christians, never on Sunday night. But I remember that afternoon my friend came by and said, "Let's go to church tonight. I'm going to talk to the preacher tonight about being saved. Would you like to go?" I said, "Yes, I'll go."

I can remember going by the pastor's study that evening before the service. The pastor explained God's way of salvation to us. We went into the service. I was sitting down in the front on a Sunday night. That's one of the reasons I like Sunday nights. The preacher preached, but I can't tell you a thing he said. I don't remember his message or his text. He wore glasses and as he preached, the lights of the building casting light upon his face. I saw tears rolling down his cheeks as he began to tell about Jesus and plead for us to come to Christ.

I knew in my heart I was a sinner, and I knew that Jesus died on the cross for my sins. That evening I made the wisest decision anybody will ever make. I went forward gave my heart and my life to Jesus.

You are a wise person if you will give your life to Christ. You may have made some bad decisions in life, but if you have accepted Jesus as your personal Savior you have made one wise decision in your life. Many of you tonight who need to make that wise decision.


Let's bow our heads in prayer.

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