TWO KINDS OF WISDOM
James
3:13-18 / Keywords 3:17
But the wisdom that
comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate,
submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.
3:13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.
1. James points out that there are two types of wisdom.
There is earthly wisdom and there is spiritual, or heavenly, wisdom. Earthly
wisdom leads us to live in selfish ambition. Earthly wisdom says, “I want more!” Maybe its
money, or power, or prestige or position. And when we don’t get it, we
become bitter and envious of those who do get it. Earthly wisdom is thus
earthly, unspiritual and demonic. It sounds like a good thing to have. But it
leads to disorder and evil practices.
2. James
contrasts earthly wisdom with Godly, heavenly wisdom. Wisdom that comes from
heaven is pure, peace-loving, considerate, submissive to God, and full of
mercy, good fruit. It is impartial and sincere. It is this kind of wisdom that
allows us to love others with a pure, spiritual love, as Jesus loves us.
3. Is James
saying that all kinds of “book knowledge”, our
pursuit to find out how the world works and to make scientific advances
demonic? No! Our curiosity and our intelligence are God-given. When this
knowledge leads to good deeds and humility, it is wisdom from heaven.
Prayer Father, thank you for the wisdom of God. Help me to seek your wisdom in
all that I do.
One Word Seek wisdom from heaven
No comments:
Post a Comment