The Nature of Godly Wisdom
by Ross Ward, Jr.
"Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace" (James 3:13-18 ESV).
The Greek culture of Jesus’ day is known for their many philosophers. It seems the first Christian converts were desirous of wisdom as well. James addresses the seemingly over-ambitious Christians who desired to be teachers in James 3:1. Their attitude was probably much like the Pharisees who sought after and loved to have preeminence, Matthew 23:5-12. James 3 is a reproof of those who are overly ambitious, presumptuously wise, and unqualified to be teachers.
So, what, then, does true Godly wisdom look like?
Allow me to paraphrase James 3:13: The wise and knowledgeable man demonstrates his works by the wisdom of meekness—or maybe he demonstrates his works with “the meekness which belongs to wisdom and proceeds from it,” as Schaff describes it. God teaches us through James here that wisdom and knowledge are not just about the analytical; they are also about behavior. The godly wise have the heart or the internal attributes of a person who personifies God in their lives.
James explains more of the nature of this wisdom in James 3:17, “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.” Those are some mighty, challenging, virtuous attributes!
James also gives the antithesis of Godly wisdom in James 3:14-16, “But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.” Wow, there is a lot of bad packed into those verses. Notice the selfish ambition and jealousy. Those are destructive attitudes, and James states those with them are not qualified to be teachers. Tying to James 3:1-12, their speech sets the world on fire – Destruction.
God has offered everyone His wisdom through His revealed word and applying His virtues in our lives. Without knowledge and virtue, we do not hold godly wisdom and will be destructive in our words.
