James 3: 13-18
“Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom.” (Vs. 13).
James addressed the teachers or those who wanted to be teachers at the beginning of this chapter, he explained how they should talk and live among the fellow members. Now, he is pointing to two major aspects- being wise and understanding. A person who wants to be a teacher must have divine wisdom and understanding. Many teachers fail as they give priority to the position rather than spending time with God who is the source of all wisdom. A person can bridle his tongue if they have divine wisdom. Wisdom gives guidance to talk and to speak up in the right manner. A word spoke at the wrong time can create chaos and confusion. So, with wisdom and understanding, we will know when and how to talk.
A wise person will never blow his own trumpet when doing things for others. Meekness is a sign of true wisdom. Being gentle in talks, being calm in the behavior, and also considering others better than himself are all part of being wise. In other words, we can say, a man of true wisdom silently does things and as he is not doing it for his benefits, people will see it and say well about him. Doing things to seek attention from others shows that they lack wisdom. Speaking more and doing more before others will never make us wise, people have an attitude to both to show off before others that they are better than others. But, in God’s eyes, its pure futility. Take responsibilities as God directs, not as per our motives. Show divine wisdom through our lives.
“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.” (Vs. 14-16).
James is now comparing the characters of earthly wisdom and divine wisdom in verse 14-18. Bitter envy and self-seeking attitudes are opposite to meekness of wisdom. This comes from a heart that doesn’t seek God and His righteousness. And, the one who has this attitude must never deceive himself and others. I have seen people who respond to us as if they know everything. While we share something God has illuminated us in our personal prayer, they show an attitude that they knew this very thing even before. This is truly an example of earthly wisdom. The earthly wisdom always brews pride within us and we will never have the heart to accept the good in others. They have an attitude to rule over others and want others to follow them even when they are wrong. We must have wisdom from above to discern this dangerous wisdom.
To identify this wisdom, James gives us three descriptions- earthly, sensual, and demonic.
- Earthly: has no life or relation from God. This can be identified from the agenda they follow.
- Sensual: gives gratification of the senses and physical. They speak things that are related to the carnal man.
- Demonic: has the characters that a demon or evil spirit. Lacking love, humility, and meekness.
“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.” (Vs. 17-18).
Here, we see seven characters of the wisdom from above.
- Pure: Purity is a state where we can find no contamination or foreign objects. The wisdom from above is genuine and it has no adulteration. Or we can say without any sinful attitude or desire.
- Peaceable: The wisdom constitutes of peace, so, the one who speaks with this wisdom speaks with peace and patience. If we are unable to speak in peace, we better check our relationship with God.
- Gentle: The wisdom is bearing or forgiving.
- Willing to yield: I have seen yield sign on Toronto Transit’s buses. Other vehicles have to yield when they put the indication to merge into the lane. So, the others have to have a willingness to accept the indication. Just like this, the wisdom from above gives us the willingness to yield to others. To accept without any complexes and to walk with and to care for others.
- Full of mercy and good fruits: The wisdom speaks with mercy. This person will never have a bitter attitude to others and he produces things that are productive to others. Producing good fruits by words means supportive, caring, and nurturing others in a way that they will bring forth the best out of themselves.
- Without partiality: The wisdom gives the heart to be impartial. Many churches fail as they show partiality to the people. While we read Acts 6, we can see a dispute in the first church as a result of partiality. This was solved by placing seven men who were full of faith and the Holy Ghost.
- Without hypocrisy: This wisdom gives the courage to speak up without any hesitation. When people do wrong, they correct. When people need correction, they correct.
Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
The fruit of righteousness contains the seed of righteousness as well. And the peacemakers sow this seed to the hearts who are ready to hold this seed. Or in other words, James is guiding us to be productive in peace. Invest in others to bring peace from them as well. Carry the fruit of righteousness, sow it with divine wisdom, real its harvest in the due time.
