Godly Wisdom

When my husband and I first moved to Las Vegas, I got a job at the same company as my husband. It was probably the most difficult work environment either of us has had to work in due to the brazen sinful lifestyles of the others we worked with. I don’t remember the details, but one day I got defensive about my work and being falsely accused of not doing things correctly. I later asked forgiveness for my attitude. The wife of one of the owners told me I didn’t need to apologize. It’s just the way I was. Her thinking was that we can’t change and shouldn’t be concerned about trying to change. It’s just who we are.

I told her I didn’t agree. God is in the business of transforming us. If I followed her “wisdom,” I would continue being defensive, hurting and demeaning others, sparking quarrels, and inciting division not only in the workplace, but in my marriage, family, and friendships. I thought her advice was complete nonsense, untrue, and hopeless. James calls it earthly wisdom, and it opposes godly wisdom.

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.[1]

James 3:13-18

We can learn from these verses as their own theme, but they are also tied to what James has previously taught. They present another proof of genuine, living faith verses worthless faith. As he has repeatedly done, James contrasts two ways of life. He has challenged his readers in how they talk, and now he challenges them in how they live. We need wisdom to tame our tongues and wisdom in trials. Daniel Doriani presents the idea that these verses are James’ “climatic indictment of sin.” And these verses will lead into James 4.

In typical James fashion, he poses a question: “Who is wise and understanding among you” (vs 13)? As James cautioned his readers not to be deceived in 1:16, this question challenges our thinking and cautions us not to be deceived in thinking we are wise. We should weigh the fruit of our wisdom.

First, what is wisdom? James compares two types: godly wisdom and man’s wisdom, heavenly wisdom and earthly wisdom. A focus on wisdom was critical in Scripture and among ancient philosophers. Jews understood “that true wisdom was not intellectual, but behavioral. Thus, the biggest fool was one who knew truth and failed to apply it. To the Jews, wisdom meant skill in living righteously.”[2]

When James asks, “Who is wise and understanding among you,” he is asking who is skilled in how to live a godly life. A wise and understanding person will know how to apply their expertise skillfully and practically to situations. Another mark of genuine, living faith is being able to take the truths of Scripture and rightly, skillfully apply them to life. Just as man is not able to tame the tongue by himself, man cannot simply choose wisdom and instantly be wise. Wisdom is a gift from God. He has graciously given us His Word and His Spirit who gives us understanding of His Word to rightly apply it.

“By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom” (vs 13b). Just as genuine, living faith produces good works, godly wisdom will produce works characterized by humility. Good conduct is the Greek word anastrophe meaning a way of life or a lifestyle. The Greek meaning is consistent with Old Testament teaching. Good conduct is natural or automatic. It is not merely following a list of dos and don’ts. Good conduct is a lifestyle that can only flow from a regenerated heart (Matthew 7:17-18), and a transformed mind (Romans 12:2), and it reflects God’s character.

James isn’t interested only in the lifestyle of godly wisdom but also the qualities godly wisdom exhibits. The works of this good conduct are in “the meekness of wisdom.” “Meekness of wisdom” qualifies the works. Meekness can also be translated as gentleness (vs 17). The Greeks defined it as “power under control.” Douglas Moo explains, “This Christian meekness involves a healthy understanding of our own unworthiness before God and a corresponding humility and lack of pride in our dealings with our fellow-men.”[3]

Godly wisdom will have a right or Biblical view of God, self, and others. Solomon wrote: “The fear of the Lordis the beginning [principal part] of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight” (Proverbs 9:10). We cannot have godly wisdom apart from knowing and fearing God.  In knowing and fearing our Holy God, we will understand our own unworthiness and the grace God has shown us. In light of our unworthiness and God’s grace towards us, we will respond to others in humility.

Contrast this with verse 14: “But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth.” John MacArthur describes “bitter jealousy” as a “harsh, resentful attitude towards others.” Bitter is the same Greek word used in verse 11 translated as salt water.

“Selfish ambition” pursues one’s own agenda even at the expense of others.[4] Identity and value are wrapped up in status and things. As we will see in chapter 4, this attitude leads to quarrels and fights because there is a warped logic behind it. We look to our own interests not to others’ interests. Wants become what we think we deserve, and when we don’t get what we think we deserve, we feel justified in behaving however we see fit no matter how sinful.

James reveals the results of bitter jealousy and selfish ambition (jump to verse 16): “For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.” Disorder (Greek akatastasia) can be confusion or a restless, unsettled state, but there is another way to understand it. The Greek is the noun form of the verb in 1:8 and 3:8 describing being double-minded and having a double-speaking tongue. Jesus used this word translated as tumults to describe the time before the temple’s destruction (Luke 21:9), and Paul used it in his letter to the Corinthians regarding their chaotic displays of spiritual gifts. “For God is not a God of confusion but of peace: (1 Corinthian 14:33, emphasis added). Disorder is the opposite of peace (vs 17-18).

The second result of bitter jealousy and selfish ambition is “every vile practice.” These practices are good for nothing. They are a boundless, assortment of sin. Jealousy leads us to antagonize, quarrel, complain, criticize, boast, steal, lie, gossip, rejoice at other’s misfortune, and a host of other sins.

Let’s go back to verse 14b: “do not boast and be false to the truth.” Wisdom (vs 15) is the object even though our English translation doesn’t make this obvious. The Good News Bible quoted in Douglas Moo’s commentary states it this way, “Don’t sin against the truth by boasting of your wisdom.”

James continues: “This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic” (vs 15). Bitter jealousy and selfish ambition are not from above. They are not the qualities of godly wisdom. They are earthly – only considering this life, weak, imperfect. They are unspiritual – gratifying passions (James 4:1-3), our feelings and reasons prevail. They are demonic in origin. This wisdom is of the world, the flesh, and Satan.

Wisdom from above, godly wisdom, comes only from asking God (1:17). “For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding” (Proverbs 2:6).

Having painted the ugly picture of earthly wisdom, James returns to godly wisdom: “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere” (vs 17).

Godly wisdom is pure – a heart motivated by spiritual integrity and moral sincerity. It is blameless (1:27).

Godly wisdom is peaceable[5] – it is peace-loving or peace promoting. Contrast this with the disorder of verse 16.

Godly wisdom is gentle – this is a difficult translation, but “most nearly means a character trait of sweet reasonableness. Such a person will submit to all kinds of mistreatment and difficulty with an attitude of kind, courteous, patient humility, without any thought of hatred or revenge (see Matt. 5:10–11).”[6] Gentle is reasonable, fair-minded, willing to yield not demand (2 Corinthians 10:1; 1 Timothy 3:3).

Godly wisdom is open to reason – originally the Greek meant to be teachable, compliant, to submit to military discipline or moral or legal standards. It is a willingness to get along with and yield to others (when it isn’t a crucial issue of doctrine). It is not stubborn. It is submission to God’s standards.

Godly wisdom is full of mercy – acts of undeserved kindness (2:8-16). Compassion for those who suffer. Forgiving quickly.

Godly wisdom produces good fruits – the outcome of merciful deeds.

Godly wisdom is impartial – there are two possible meanings as the Greek word is used only here. The first meaning is consistent, unwavering, undivided in commitment and conviction. This connects to James 1:7-8 as well as sincere (immediately following impartial in vs 17). The second meaning is not making unfair distinctions which would connect it to James 2:1-12. Either meaning would befit godly wisdom although the first is probably the best application.

Godly wisdom is sincere – not hypocritical. Acts according to character.

Godly wisdom begets peace, cooperation, and unity. Earthly wisdom breeds disorder and every vile practice.

“And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace” (vs 18). It isn’t clear if James was connecting this verse to his teaching on godly wisdom or if it is a separate proverb. Harvest could tie it to the good fruits and peaceable of verse 17, but we just don’t know for certain. Regardless, “a harvest of righteousness” is conduct pleasing to God (1:20), the good works that result from genuine, living faith, and the qualities in verse 17. We perhaps best understand James’ statement to mean that peacemakers create an environment of peace which produces a harvest of righteousness.

It is tempting to heed earthly wisdom, to be driven by our feelings or human reason. It is tempting to pursue what promotes self-interest, but this is not godly wisdom. As I look at the qualities of godly wisdom, I know I have failed in each one. But rather than be discouraged, I can be thankful that God has regenerated my heart. He has given me the gift of His Word and His Holy Spirit to understand His Word and rightly and skillfully apply it. Throughout Proverbs, Solomon tells us to pursue wisdom. Wisdom is not only God’s Word, but it is a Person. Jesus is the wisdom from God (1 Corinthians 1:30). Because of Jesus’ death and resurrection, we can know Him personally, and when we fail to practice godly wisdom, we have His righteousness credited to us.

“The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight” (Proverbs 4:7).

Reflection

1.     If we are struggling with envy and selfish ambition, we are forgetting who we are in Christ – beloved children of God. Think of the last time you struggled with envy or selfish ambition. What was going on in your heart? What wisdom were you listening to? What did you forget or ignore about your identity in Christ? What were the results?

2.     Do you tend to think of godly wisdom in terms of making decisions or by the qualities that it produces? How do the qualities of wisdom affect decision making?

3.     Godly wisdom is a gift from God, but he doesn’t just drop wisdom down onto to our heads. We get wisdom by humbly seeking God, studying His Word, asking the Holy Spirit to help us understand and apply God’s Word, and spending time with wise believers. In what ways are you pursuing wisdom?  Give a real example of how God helped you practice godly wisdom. What were the results?

4.     Who do you have in your life that is wise? Why do you think they are wise? What qualities of wisdom do they demonstrate?

5.     Any teaching, input, or counsel we receive, we should take back to Scripture and make sure it lines up with God’s wisdom. Are you diligent to evaluate your own or others’ counsel?

[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Jas 3:13–18.

[2] MacArthur, John F.. James: Guidelines for a Happy Christian Life (MacArthur Bible Studies) (p. 60). HarperChristian Resources. Kindle Edition.

[3] Douglas J. Moo, James: An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 16, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1985), 136.

[4] This is different from goals such as 1 Thessalonians 4:11. Selfish ambition is worldly. Goals can be godly.

[5] Note: James uses alliteration in listing the qualities and results of godly wisdom.

[6] MacArthur, John F.. James: Guidelines for a Happy Christian Life (MacArthur Bible Studies) (p. 61). HarperChristian Resources. Kindle Edition.