Authentic Wisdom

James 3:13-18 Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct he should show his works done in the gentleness that wisdom brings.

But if you have bitter jealousy and selfishness in your hearts, do not boast and tell lies against the truth. Such wisdom does not come from above but is earthly, natural, demonic. For where there is jealousy and selfishness, there is disorder and every evil practice.

But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and not hypocritical. And the fruit that consists of righteousness is planted in peace among those who make peace.

James' highly practical exhortation to authentic faith includes equally practical guidance in discernment. This passage contains specific characteristics that believers can use to assess the source of perceived "wisdom".

In its context within chapter 3, James is demonstrating here in part that a truly "wise and understanding" person will demonstrate that in his works -- in contrast to some individuals including teachers who claim wisdom and authority but lack the fruit James delineates. For a people who were used to a religious system that claimed a person was wise based merely on his position, this was radical!

James' teaching highlights the fact that true wisdom is available to all who seek it - a point made in chapter 1. Like Paul, though, he recognizes that there is wisdom of the fleshly sphere and wisdom of the sphere of God's grace (see 2 Cor. 1:12). James outlines what true wisdom from God looks like by showing first its contrast.

Wisdom that is not from above - that characterized as earthly, natural ("not having the Spirit"), or demonic - exhibits the following traits:

• Bitter jealousy
• Selfishness - Also translated "selfish ambition". Strife, contention. Root means "provoke" and a related root maens "debate". This also characterizes those headed for wrath and indignation (Rom. 2:8)
• Arrogance
• Lies against the truth
• Disorder - Confusion; commotion (as in war); tumult. A general state of upheaval. Root = "unstable."
• Every evil practice

1 Cor. 3:19-20 notes that the world's wisdom is foolishness and useless before God. In contrast, God's wisdom - the "wisdom from above", can be seen by these traits:

• Pure - clear, chaste (as a virgin). Associated with clean, unsullied. Root - "holy"
• Peaceable
• Gentle - Moderation, patient. In 1 Timothy and Titus, Paul uses this word in contrast to brawlers and not being contentious, and Peter uses it in contrast with being unreasonable (1 Peter 2:18).
• Reasonable/Accommodating - "easy to be entreated"; a compound root that means "well persuaded/trusted". Essentially, this represents a person who is not rigid, who is willing to bend (obviously where it does not cause an unbiblical compromise).
• Full of mercy
• Full of good fruits
• Unwavering/Impartial
• Without hypocrisy
• Bearing righteous fruit that is sown in peace by those who make peace. This reflects a key Old Testament principle that peace comes with righteousness (Isa. 32:17). This is not peace in the sense of no conflict - these people were, after all, being persecuted - but peace in the true meaning of shalom, wholeness, completeness, peace with God. While we are counted righteous in Christ by faith alone, the daily living out of a righteousness life requires our cooperation. James merely echoes Hosea 10:12 and Paul in Gal. 6:8 that we should pay attention to what kind of soil will lead to righteousness. We only find that kind of soil by abiding in Christ (Phil. 1:11; John 15). The bottom line: Right relationship leads to right action.

As noted at the beginning of this passage, James tells us what we should do with this wisdom. Rather than a means of boasting or being exalted above others as in the Judaism of the day, we are to demonstrate wisdom and understanding by:

• good behavior
• deeds
• gentleness

In other words, wisdom doesn't make us superior to others, it enables us to maintain good behavior, do good deeds, and demonstrate the gentleness that true wisdom brings.

God's wisdom and the world's wisdom are very different. In the context of authentic faith, James teaches that authentic wisdom and understanding are shown by deeds done in gentle wisdom, evidenced by good behavior. In contrast, "wisdom" that is characterized by bitter jealousy, selfish ambition, arrogance, and disorder, points to earthly, natural, demonic sources.

James wants his readers to know these marks as they don't "lie against the truth", being deceived by self-perceptions contrary to truth. God's true wisdom is pure, clean, peaceful, gentle, and patient (not contentious or unreasonable); it is merciful, fruitful, unwavering without partiality; without hypocrisy. It is sown in peace and yields the fruit of righteousness.