"Wisdom" from the Devil; Wisdom from God - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing,
majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of
him today and what came to my heart and mind 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."

Here is something I wrote on this passage in January 2010:

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 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 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
what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to
hear from you!

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