The Mark of True Wisdom

*What if you are a fool but just don’t realize it?

*There is a difference between true wisdom (that which comes from God), and false wisdom (that comes from the devil).

*Proverbs 14:12. “There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.”

*So again I ask: if you were a fool, how would you know it?

*In this passage, James helps us to see the difference between the two, and lays the framework for how to turn from the wisdom of the world into the wisdom of God.

The marks of false wisdom.

In vs. 14-16, James shows us what false wisdom is characterized by. He says, “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 are." Here, James talks about a rival form of wisdom that does not proceed from God. It is a wisdom that is worldly, sensual in nature, and at its core, demonic! But how do we recognize this kind of influence in our lives? I mean, sure, none of us would want the be described this way, and most of us would deny that this is true of us. But how would we recognize it if it were? James describes it for us fairly clearly:

• Bitter envy. The idea here is that of jealousy. It’s the craving of things we have no right to crave for. Born from a lack of contentment, it manipulates and destroys whatever it needs to destroy for its own gain.
• Self-seeking. This concept is simple but deadly. It is our fallen disposition to place ourselves as most supreme.

But also notice that the result of this is confusion and evil. That is, when the demonic has had the ability to influence through false wisdom, the result will be confusion in the minds of the world and God’s people, and will also result in evil.

• James 4:1-2. “What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask.”

Phil 3:18-19. “Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern. For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:  whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame—who set their mind on earthly things.”

Thus, James shows us what worldly wisdom looks like!

The marks of godly wisdom.

In vs. 13, and 17-18, James shows us what godly wisdom is characterized by. He says, "Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. . . .  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. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.”

In contrast to worldly wisdom, James now shows us what true wisdom from God is characterized by. First, those who have true wisdom from God show it with their lives. Second, they show it through spiritual virtues (characteristics that lead to health and well-being). Godly wisdom yields the following virtues or fruits.

• Purity. He first mentions purity. This is likely a broad reference to purity, indicating an unmixed loyalty and devotion to God above all things.
• Peace. Godly wisdom results in peacemaking.
• Gentleness. Godly wisdom results in a gentle disposition.
• Selflessness. Godly wisdom results in selflessness.
• Mercy. Godly wisdom results in mercy.
• Good fruits. This is a general catch-all.
• Impartiality. The wise will be those who do not function with partiality to people.
• Sincerity. James now says, without hypocrisy.

7:24-27. “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. “But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.”

What James describes here are the marks of Christian wisdom, spiritual virtue, and the fruit of the Spirit.

What to do about false-ungodly wisdom.

Throughout the passage, James teaches us how wisdom, humility, and godliness intersect with and flow from each other. Notice what he says in vs. 13. “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom.” Here we see a pattern that is highly important for us to understand as we strive for godliness. The pattern is:

 Wisdom   >  Humility   >   Godliness

James starts by saying that we must “show by good conduct.” That is, James insists that the believer is one who does demonstrate Christlikeness by the way he or she lives. But we are also told that this “good conduct” is “done in the meekness of wisdom.” This phrase “meekness of wisdom” is translated in various ways in our English translations, but most often as either “meekness of wisdom” or as “humility of wisdom.” The NIV helpfully translates this as “the humility that comes from wisdom.”

The idea here is that humility that accompanies wisdom, or even proceeds from wisdom. So then, the wise person will naturally humble himself before God. How could he not? Wisdom brings him to the realization of what is truly good and bad, good and evil, and powerful and weak.

• Proverbs 9:10. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”
• Proverbs 15:33. “The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom, And before honor is humility.”

From there, humility proceeds into godliness. Humbled before God, God draws near to us. He delights in us, works in us, and showers us with grace.

• Psalm 138:6. “Though the Lord is on high, Yet He regards the lowly; But the proud He knows from afar.”
• Proverbs 3:34. “Surely He scorns the scornful, But gives grace to the humble.”
• Matt. 23:12. “And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
• Isaiah 57:15. “For thus says the High and Lofty One Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, With him who has a contrite and humble spirit, To revive the spirit of the humble, And to revive the heart of the contrite ones.”
• I Peter 5:6. “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time.”

So then, what should you do if you find yourself marked more by false/ungodly wisdom that the true wisdom of God? In short, repent by embracing the truth of the word, humble yourself before God, and allow the spirit of God to work in you.

 Conclusion

• Which portrait best characterizes your life?
• If it the portrait of selfishness and jealousy, what’s keeping you from repenting of this sin?