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Wisdom From Above - James 3
Wisdom From Above - James 3
The opening verses of the third chapter of James are addressed to those who desired to be recognized as ‘teachers’ among God’s people. There has always been the real danger of wanting the position and reputation without actually doing the work or being the character. It has shown itself in Diotrephes, Simon the sorcerer, Ananias and Sapphira, and many others. (see 3John 9; Acts 8; and Acts 5)
God will have none of it. First, anyone being a teacher will received a stricter judgment (vs. 1): they are expected not only to know what they are talking about but to act in accordance with what they teach. Second, anyone who has done much public speaking / teaching knows that it is easy to say the wrong things (vs. 2). Third, since what we REALLY believe is displayed by how we live (reread vs.9-12), godly wisdom will be displayed in a godly life.
The wisdom that is false has:
· The wrong SOURCE: it is earthly; natural, and demonic.
· The wrong CHARACTER: it is bitter, jealous, selfish, and arrogant.
· The wrong PRODUCT: it brings about disorder and evil.
James tells us plainly what godly wisdom is like, and it stands in stark contrast with worldly wisdom.
· Its source of from above; it comes from God through His revelation.
· Its character is pure (undivided), peaceable, gentle, able to be reasoned with, full of mercy, full of good fruits, unwavering, and without hypocrisy.
· Its products are righteousness and peace.
What this means is that the fruit of our true faith is evident in our lives. The truly wise man will show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom (vs. 13). So, what DOES your life show?
Hugh DeLong
