True Wisdom and False Wisdom

James said: "Who is the wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. 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 there. 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" (James 3:13 - 18, NKJV).

Wisdom was an important thing to Jewish people. They realized that it was not enough to have knowledge; you had to have wisdom to be able to use the knowledge correctly. Most of us know people who are very intelligent, perhaps almost geniuses, and yet who seemingly are unable to carry out the simplest tasks of life. They can run computers but they cannot manage their own life.

Solomon said: "Wisdom is the principal things; therefore get wisdom" (Prov. 4:7).

James continued to exhort the people in the assembly who wanted to be teachers of the Word (James 3:1). It is not enough simply to stand before the people and say words; you must have some thing to say. This is where spiritual wisdom comes in. Knowledge enables us to take things apart, but wisdom enables us to put things together and relate God's truth to daily life.

There are preachers and Bible teachers who say many good things, but who somehow miss the heart of God's message and fail to relate truth to everyday life. It is this kind of "knowledge without wisdom" that James is writing about. He is contrasting true wisdom and false wisdom in three different aspects - Contrast in origin, contrast in operation and contrast in outcomes.

Constrast in origin (James 3:15, 17)

James said: "This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. 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" (James 3:15, 17).

The true wisdom comes from above, but the false wisdom comes from below. In other words, there is a "heavenly wisdom" that comes from God, and there is a "man-made wisdom" that does not come from God. Whatever does not come from God is destined to fail, no matter how successful it may seem at the time.

The Bible contains many examples of the folly of man's wisdom. Here are some of them:

1. This building of the Tower of Babel seemed like a wise enterprise, but it ended in failure and confusion (Gen. 11:1 - 9).

2. It seemed wise for Abraham to go to Egypt when famine came to Canaan, but the results proved otherwise (Gen. 12:10 - 20).

3. The disciples thought it was wise to dismiss the great crowd and let them find their food; but Jesus took a few loaves and fishes and fed the multitude (Matt. 14:13 - 12).

4. The Roman "experts" in Acts 27 thought it was wise to leave port and sail for Rome, even though Paul disagreed; and the storm that followed proved that Paul's wisdom was better than their expert counsel.

What is the origin of man's wisdom? - "This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic" (James 3:15).

The believer has three enemies - the world, the flesh, and the Devil (Eph. 2:1 - 3). These enemies are suggested by the terms "earthly, sensual, devilish (demonic)."

There is a "wisdom of the world" (1 Cor. 1:20, 21). Do not confuse the world's knowledge and the world's wisdom. Certainly, there is a great deal of knowledge in the world, and we all benefit from it; but there is not much wisdom. Man unlocks the secrets of the universe, but he does not know what to do with them. Someone warned that we had "improved means to unimproved ends!" Someone bought a luxurious fast car for the purpose of saving a few minutes of travelling time between two towns daily. But he does not know what significant thing he will do with the few minutes he is saving!

The world by its wisdom knew not God, and in its wisdom rejects the very Gospel of God. Paul said: "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, ..." (1 Cor. 1:18). Man's wisdom is foolishness to God (1 Cor. 1:20), and God's wisdom is foolishness to man (1 Cor. 2:14). Man's wisdom comes from reason, while God's wisdom comes from revelation. Man's worldly wisdom will come to nothing (1 Cor. 1:19), while God's wisdom will endure forever.

Because the world has turned from God, it has lost its wisdom. Every increase in man's knowledge only magnifies the problems. Solomon said: "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding" (Prov. 9:10). Paul said: "There is no fear of God before their eyes" (Rom. 3:18).

This false wisdom had another source - it is "sensual," that is, it is "natural." It is man's fallen nature as opposed to the new nature given by God. There is a wisdom that gets its origin in man's nature totally apart from the Spirit of God.

This "wisdom does not descend from above" (James 3:15) is also "demonic" or "devilish." Beginning with Genesis 3, where Satan successfully deceived Eve, and continuing through the entire Bible, there is "wisdom of Satan" at work, fighting against the wisdom of God. Satan convinced Eve that she would be like God. He told her that the tree would make her wise. Ever since that event, people have continued to believe Satan's lies and have tried the become their own gods (Rom. 1:18 - 25). Satan is cunning; he is the old serpent! He has wisdom that will confound and confuse you if you do not know the wisdom of God.

In contrast to the wisdom that is earthly, sensual, and devilish, James described a "wisdom that is from above" (James 3:17). Earlier, James said: "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, ..." (James 1:17). Because of this, the Christian looks up to heaven for all that he needs. His citizenship is in heaven (Phil. 3:20). The believer's home is in heaven (John 14:1 - 6) and his hope is in heaven. He sets his affection and attention on things above, not on earthly things (Col. 2:3).

What is the Christian's wisdom and where does he look for true wisdom? He cannot find true wisdom in the world because to begin with, Jesus Christ is our wisdom (1 Cor. 1:24, 30). In Christ "are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" (Col. 2:3).

The Word of God is also our wisdom. Moses said to Israel: "Surely I have taught you statues and judgments, just as the Lord my God commanded me, that you should act according to them in the land which you go to possess. Therefore be careful to observe them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding ..." (Deut. 4:5, 6, emphasis added). Paul said: "... and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus" (2 Tim. 3:15, emphasis added).

James 1:5 indicates that we find wisdom through prayer.

The origin of true spiritual wisdom is God. To get your wisdom from any other source is to ask for trouble!

Contrast in operation (James 3:13, 14, 17)

James said: "Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. 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" (James 3:13, 14, 17, emphasis added).

The wisdom from above, God's wisdom, operates in a different way from the wisdom that is "earthly, sensual, demonic." Since they originate from the radically different sources, they must operate in opposite ways. Let us look at the evidences of the false wisdom and the true wisdom.

Evidences of false wisdom

1. Envy (James 3:14)

This word carries the meaning selfish ambition and zeal. It ties in with James 3:1, where James warned us not to be ambitious for spiritual offices.

It is easy to go on an ego trip under the guise of spiritual zeal. The first Apostles argued over who was the greatest in the Kingdom. The Pharisees use their religious activities to promote the praise of men (Matt. 6:1 - 18). We ought to be zealous in the things of the Lord, but we must be sure that motives are right.

2. Strife (self-seeking) (James 3:14)

This word means "party spirit" which only creates rivalry and division in the Church. Paul said: "Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better thamselves" (Phil. 2:3, KJV).

3. Boasting (James 3:14)

Pride loves to boast, and nothing is prouder than the wisdom of men. There is a way to report blessings so that God gets the glory, but there is also an approach that gives the praise to men. In 2 Cor. 10, when Paul was forced to boast about his ministry, he was careful to give the glory to God (2 Cor. 10:12).

When God's wisdom is at work, there is a sense of humility and submission, and you want God to get all the glory. You have no desire to compare yourself with any other Christian, because you see only Christ - and compared with Him.

4. Deceit (James 3:14)

Being deceitful means always "lie against the truth." According to James, Christians, by their inconsistent living they were giving a lie to the truth of the Gospel.

Evidences of true wisdom

1. Meekness or self-control (James 3:13)

Meekness is not weakness; it is power under control. The meek person does not selfishly assert himself. He seeks only the glory of God and does not cater to the praises of men. Meekness is a fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:23); it cannot be manufactured by man.

2. Purity (James 3:17)

"Purity" means "holy, chaste and free from defilement." James said: "First pure" - this indicates the importance of holiness. God is holy, therefore the wisdom from above is pure.


3. Peace (James 3:17)


Man's wisdom leads to competition, rivalry, and war (James 4:1, 2); but God's wisdom leads to peace. It is a peace based on holiness, not on compromise. The peace of the Church is not more important than the purity of the Church. If the Church is pure, devoted to God, then there will be peace.


4. Gentleness (James 3:17)


"Gentleness" is a fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:23). The gentle person does not deliberately cause fights, but neither does he compromise the truth in order to keep peace.


5. Compliance or willing to yield (James 3:17)


God's wisdom makes the believe agreeable and easy to live with and work with. Man's wisdom makes a person hard and stubborn. The compliant person is willing to hear all sides of a question, but he does not compromise his own conviction. He can disagree without being disagreeable.


6. Mercy (James 3:17)


To be "full" of something, in this context, means to be "control by." The person who follows God's wisdom is controlled by mercy.


Jesus said: "Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful" (Luke 6:36).


God, in His grace gives us what we do not deserve, and in His mercy, He does not give us what we deserve!


7. Good fruits (James 3:17)


People who are faithful are fruitful. God's wisdom does not make a life empty; it makes it full.

8. Decisiveness or without partiality (James 3:17)

The word suggests singleness of mind and is opposite of "wavering" (James 1:6). When you lean on the worlds wisdom, you are pressured from one side and then another to change your mind. When you have God's wisdom, you need not waver.


9. Decisiveness or without partiality (James 3:17)


The Greek word translated "hypocrite" means "one who wears a mask, an actor." When man's wisdom is at work, there must be insincerity and pretense. When God's wisdom is at work, there is openness and honesty - "speeking the truth in love" (Eph. 4:15). Wherever you find God's people pretending and hiding, you can be sure the wisdom of the world is governing the ministry.


There is quite a contrast between the operation of God's wisdom and the operation of the wisdom of this world. It would be profitable for Church leaders to evaluate their own lives and their ministries in the light of what James has written.


Contrast in outcomes (James 3:16, 18)


James said: "For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace" (James 3:16, 18).


Origin determines outcome. Worldly wisdom will produce worldly results; spiritual wisdom will give spiritual results.


Worldly wisdom produces trouble - Envy, self-seeking, confusion, evil works. Wrong thinking produces wrong living. One reason why the world is in such a mess is because men have refused to accept the wisdom of God.


The most important thing we can do in our Local Churches is measure our ministries by the Word of God, not by the wisdom of men. The many battles among Christians, Church splits, the absence of purity and peace, all suggest that there is the absence of the wisdom of God.


There is a vast difference between man-made results and God-given fruit. The Christian life is sowing and reaping. The Christian who obeys God's wisdom sows righteousness, not sin; and peace not war. The life we live enables the Lord to bring righteousness and peace into the lives of others.