Wisdom

James crams a ton of instructions, warnings and appeals into just a few short pages, dealing with a wide range of subjects. In Chapters 3 and 4, James hits on so many different topics that it is difficult to sort through them all. One gets the sense that he was desperate to impart this information to a people in great need. One would be right.

Like King Solomon in Proverbs, James tackles the subject of wisdom. Like Solomon, he is steadfast in his exhortations that wisdom is NOT necessarily of this earth; it is NOT only knowledge gained through one’s own efforts or studies. Wisdom also comes from God, and there is a danger to rely solely on wisdom gained on this earth. So how does one tell the difference?

James asks, “Who is wise and understanding among you?” He distinguishes between wisdom that has earthly and selfish motives from that which has a more heavenly direction.

Earthly wisdom: “But 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.” – James 3: 14-16

Heavenly wisdom: “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 3: 17

There are dozens of other passages in the Bible that support James. A few examples:

“For the Lord gives wisdom, and from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.” – Proverbs 2: 6

“It is because of Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God – that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.” – 1 Corinthians 1: 30

Even Solomon’s great intelligence and wisdom came from God: “God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight, and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the seashore.” – 1 Kings 4: 29

So it appears that, according to the Bible, true wisdom is from God, and to acquire it, we must learn God’s ways and submit our desires, motives and will to Him.

Earthly wisdom, however, isn’t to be completely discounted and isn’t always bad, but often it becomes a question of motive. If we use earth-gained wisdom to pursue selfish desires in an attempt to benefit ourselves in terms of wealth, riches, position, prominence, or whatever, then we are not truly wise. If, however, we use this wisdom to better understand God, His ways, and his purpose for our life, then that gained wisdom married with His wisdom becomes life-changing. We begin using this wisdom and knowledge to serve others and carry out His will. That is true wisdom.

James gets harsher, though, in his distrust of the world, blaming it for the vices that well-up within us.

“What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You want something but don’t get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.

You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world is hatred towards God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.” – James 4: 1-4

Wow! Is friendship with the world really “hatred towards God?” I really like some aspects of our world, such as forests, mountains, flowers, sunsets, food, animals … and even most people! I even enjoy “man-made” things such as roller coasters, football games, movies, and, of course, board games! Is this bad? Does this mean I hate God? No, not at all. What James and other Biblical writers are speaking of is, according to the footnotes in my NIV Bible, “the world of people in rebellion against and alienation from God.” James is condemning the blind pursuit of earthly things – possessions, wealth, pleasures, etc. – in violation of God’s purposes and will. Heck, God invented nature, and gave us the intelligence and tools to invent and even create. These are God-given abilities and talents. In-and-of-themselves, they are not bad. Indeed, since they are from God, they are inherently good. However, it is how we use – or misuse – this intelligence, knowledge and ability, and whether the pursuit of these items becomes more important than seeking and pursuing God’s will and purposes that truly matters and spells the difference.

Following all of these warnings and outbursts, James offers this bit of sound advice and guidance:

“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and He will come near to you.” – James 4: 7-8

It is advice all of us should strive to follow each and every day.