TEXT: James 3:13-18

SUBJECT: Exposition of James #7: Wisdom: True and False

Today brings us to the seventh sermon in our study of James and to another practical issue in the life of the Church. The book is written to a believing people. But they, like us, are less than perfectly sanctified. One of their chief problems is rivalry; like Diotrephes, these Christians "loved to have the preeminence". Some coveted a teaching position (vv.1-2); others wanted to be "The Brain Trust". They demanded respect for their wisdom. James admired wisdom as much as they did. But he didn't recognize it in everyone who claimed it. In these verses, he tells us what wisdom is--and what it is not. He does not offer a formal definition, but describes the effect it will have on one's life. "A tree is known by its fruit".

He begins with a challenge, v.13: "Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom".

Wisdom and understanding are proven, not by deep learning or sparkling eloquence, but by meekness. Meekness was despised in the First Century; it was identified with weakness or a lack of self-respect; we'd call it "boot-licking". This is not what James has in mind at all. The meekness of which he writes is an inner strength, a willingness to put personal feelings aside, and to serve others in love.

The meekness is not limited to any one sphere of life. We're to be meek at all times and in every place. At home, wives are to have "meek and quiet spirits"; husbands are to "dwell with their wives with understanding"; children are to "obey their parents"; parents are to "not provoke their children to wrath". At work, bosses are to be "just and fair"; employees are to "obey, not with eyeservice, but from the heart". In the Church, we're to "Submit ourselves to one another in the fear of God".

These words encapsulate the teaching of the paragraph. In sum: Meek people are wise, head-strong people are foolish. No matter how they compare intellectually. Wisdom is a religious and ethical trait. It begins with "the fear of God" and issues in loving service to His people.

Wisdom is inconsistent with some things. James provides a list in vv.14-16: "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 will be there".

Wisdom and "bitter envy" don't go together. The word "envy" is "jealousy". It describes the kind of person who is vexed when he doesn't get what he wants; he's doubly aggravated when others do. Its brings to mind Ahab sulking when he couldn't get Naboth's vineyard. Or Haaman, horrified that "the king would delight to honor" anyone but himself. His soul is poisoned with self-esteem. This is not wisdom.

Neither is "self-seeking". Donald Burdick calls it "an attitude bent on gaining advantage or prestige for oneself or one's group". Aristotle used the word to describe greedy and proud politicians. They claim to seek office for the good of the people; in fact, they want to line their own pockets or boost their own egos. Paul had to admit very few were free of this attitude: "For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus". Wisdom, in short, is not selfish or partisan.

Whenever a bitter, envious, and selfish person claims to be wise, he "lies against the truth". On paper, this seems nearly impossible. How could such a fool claim wisdom without blushing? In real life, however, this sort of person is quite common--in churches and in pulpits.

I've heard many sermons dripping with sarcasm against people who obviously love our Lord Jesus Christ. I've heard the word "Arminian" spoken in the same way as we might say "Child molester". We must beware of equating ourselves with Jesus Christ and of taking every disagreement as an insult to the Savior. He, I suspect, can "overlook a transgression".

What is the source of this so-called wisdom? v.15: "This wisdom does not descend from above but is earthly, sensual, demonic".

James uses the word "wisdom" ironically. He puts quotation marks around it, if you will. He makes it plain: a bitter, selfish, partisan spirit is not of God (even in the cause of truth)! It's "earthly" or consistent with the world under its curse. It's "sensual" or springing from the soul of man alienated from God. It's "demonic" or directed by Satan for his sinister purposes.

Truth and holiness are good. But when they're promoted in a sour, browbeating, and arrogant way, our "good is evil spoken of"; "the name of God and His doctrine are blasphemed".

James knows where this so-called wisdom comes from, not by a special inspiration, but by its visible fruits, v.16: "For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing will be there". Chaos is the result of everyone trying to be number one. And chaos is an environment perfectly suited for every rotten attitude, ugly word, and vicious deed you can think of.

Having debunked every false claim of wisdom, James goes on to describe the fruits of true wisdom, v.17: "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".

V.18 provides a summary: "Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace".

This is a New Testament Proverb. Its wording is awkward but its meaning is clear: Those who sow peace will reap a harvest of righteousness.

A strife-torn Church cannot fulfill its Divine mandate. It cannot nurture its members; it cannot evangelize the lost; it cannot reflect the glory of Christ. No one grows in grace without an increase of brotherly love. But strife is the opposite of love. A warring Church does not impress a watching world; "By this shall all men know that you are My disciples, if you have love one for another". A Church in conflict with itself does not properly express the Body of Christ. "Is Christ divided?" Paul once inquired. Of course not; neither is His Church.

This brief paragraph speaks volumes to the Church. Have we allowed our zeal for God to become zeal for ourselves? Has our love for the truth become a love for our party? Are we doing evil that good may come?

God forgive us. Let us now repent of that self-love and party spirit which so often masquerade as love for Christ and passion for His cause.

Let us begin where James does--in deep humility before the Lord and each other. Let us learn from that Man who was "Meek and lowly in heart". And let us "find rest for our souls", peace for our church, and a witness to the world. May God so teach us, for Christ's sake. Amen.