The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him in James 3:14-17,
"If you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such 'wisdom' does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. 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."
James speaks of two kinds or types of wisdom. Each comes from a different source, reflecting that source and are starkly opposite one another. The one comes from the devil and the other, that comes from heaven, comes from God. You will recall that James encouraged those lacking the wisdom from God to ask him for it. God gives his wisdom "generously to all without finding fault". James 1:5. However, anyone approaching God for wisdom must be a believer, James 1:6.
As James describes the characteristics of these two wisdoms, their sources become evident as each reflects the character of whom they come from. The "wisdom" from the devil results in the harboring of "bitter envy and selfish ambition." It is "earthly, unspiritual, of the devil." James also speaks of "disorder and every evil practice." In contrast, the wisdom from God is "pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere." What a contrast here!
Often, when listening to anyone (and what a crowd this is!) who appoints themselves to speak to us of life and how it should be lived, they betray the wisdom from which they speak. I have found that not only listening to what is said, but how it is couched reveals the source of the "wisdom" behind what is said. I am certain you have as well. I do note here that James is telling me to look at myself... Clearly, this is James point, we need to observe how what is said is framed. As casted, does it reveal envy, selfish ambition, disorder, evil practice? Or, on the other hand, is it pure, peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere?
As I consider the characteristics of these two "wisdoms" I can't help but acknowledge how wonderful the one is over the other. It is just like my God to reflect his wonderful qualities in the expression of his nature through the gifts he gives as in the wisdom he freely gives to believers who ask.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share your thoughts of worship with us from your Bible reading today. We'd love to hear from you!
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
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