Real Wisdom
From James 3 (New King James Version) – 13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter envy and [h]self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. 16 For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. 17 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. 18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
Andrew Murray writes on humility in his classic book by that name that the virtue is, "nothing but that simple consent of the creature to let God be all, in virtue of which it surrenders itself to His working alone.”
This approach to our thinking also begins to unpack the distinction James makes in his biblical letter between worldly wisdom and godly wisdom. They are different, he says, in their source, in their measure, and in the outlook they produce. James says a lot about the hearts of his listeners, and our hearts, by asking for nominations. Is any of you wise, he entices the prideful spirit to nominate himself or herself in James 1:13? This is, it turns out, a lower more enticing than cheese to a hungry rat. But for moment at a time, we are addicted to the idea that we are smarter in some ways than our peers. No need to let God be God, we clear our throats and stand as the world calls for our help, we think. We've got this.
As our finger stings in the spiritual mousetrap James has set under inspiration, we can consider his contrast. Real wisdom is from above, he sources in James 1:17. It is God's gracious expression in the moment of need and not a byproduct of our overestimation of ourselves. Is this wisdom by which Daniel volunteers after being commended for a desperately needed right answer that it did not come from him. God, Daniel says, gives answers. Real wisdom is from Heaven, and wisdom's most faithful messengers will never fail to be the most surprised that they had been used to convey God's wisdom.
Heavenly wisdom is also different in how it is measured. Worldly wisdom seek its validation from comparisons and will defend itself against all comers. It won't wait to be proven by good conduct, bristles verse 13. That takes too long and is too likely to show accompanying flaws still pointing to desperation for God's ongoing intervention. The worldly wisdom we express wants approval now, and more approval than our neighbor, coworker, or spouse might get at any given moment. This comparison quest, James diagnoses in the 14th verse, is bitter and self-focused. These quickly perishable traits, James ones us with a quick whiff, are accurate tells as to the origin of the wisdom we would present. The contrast is already evident in verse 13, as real wisdom will be distinctive because of how it is conveyed. Real heavenly wisdom, verse 17 tells us with a deep, savoring inhaling, is also willing to wait on results. Those moved by real wisdom would rather wait to hear Christ say, "Well done," than squeeze people for a hasty and coerced complement.
Worldly and heavenly wisdom are also distinctive in the outlook they foster as we wait on results. James recoils as he destins worldly wisdom for its place with the devil in verse 15, but we don't, he says, to wait for the final verdict of the age to tell the difference. Those not satisfied with the praise of men in the moment James offers as a comorbid symptom in verse 16, will give off confusion and a taste for every evil thing as substitutes. Even when those moved by Heaven's wisdom are still planting and believing for blessed results, verse 18 assures us that they are planting in righteousness. No cheats or shortcuts are needed, for those wise in the ways of Christ are sure that He will reward grace-driven effort. Rows planted side-by-side with equal diligence are already different. The humble planter trusts the Lord to bring the harvest.
Andrew Murray writes on humility in his classic book by that name that the virtue is, "nothing but that simple consent of the creature to let God be all, in virtue of which it surrenders itself to His working alone.”
This approach to our thinking also begins to unpack the distinction James makes in his biblical letter between worldly wisdom and godly wisdom. They are different, he says, in their source, in their measure, and in the outlook they produce. James says a lot about the hearts of his listeners, and our hearts, by asking for nominations. Is any of you wise, he entices the prideful spirit to nominate himself or herself in James 1:13? This is, it turns out, a lower more enticing than cheese to a hungry rat. But for moment at a time, we are addicted to the idea that we are smarter in some ways than our peers. No need to let God be God, we clear our throats and stand as the world calls for our help, we think. We've got this.
As our finger stings in the spiritual mousetrap James has set under inspiration, we can consider his contrast. Real wisdom is from above, he sources in James 1:17. It is God's gracious expression in the moment of need and not a byproduct of our overestimation of ourselves. Is this wisdom by which Daniel volunteers after being commended for a desperately needed right answer that it did not come from him. God, Daniel says, gives answers. Real wisdom is from Heaven, and wisdom's most faithful messengers will never fail to be the most surprised that they had been used to convey God's wisdom.
Heavenly wisdom is also different in how it is measured. Worldly wisdom seek its validation from comparisons and will defend itself against all comers. It won't wait to be proven by good conduct, bristles verse 13. That takes too long and is too likely to show accompanying flaws still pointing to desperation for God's ongoing intervention. The worldly wisdom we express wants approval now, and more approval than our neighbor, coworker, or spouse might get at any given moment. This comparison quest, James diagnoses in the 14th verse, is bitter and self-focused. These quickly perishable traits, James ones us with a quick whiff, are accurate tells as to the origin of the wisdom we would present. The contrast is already evident in verse 13, as real wisdom will be distinctive because of how it is conveyed. Real heavenly wisdom, verse 17 tells us with a deep, savoring inhaling, is also willing to wait on results. Those moved by real wisdom would rather wait to hear Christ say, "Well done," than squeeze people for a hasty and coerced complement.
Worldly and heavenly wisdom are also distinctive in the outlook they foster as we wait on results. James recoils as he destins worldly wisdom for its place with the devil in verse 15, but we don't, he says, to wait for the final verdict of the age to tell the difference. Those not satisfied with the praise of men in the moment James offers as a comorbid symptom in verse 16, will give off confusion and a taste for every evil thing as substitutes. Even when those moved by Heaven's wisdom are still planting and believing for blessed results, verse 18 assures us that they are planting in righteousness. No cheats or shortcuts are needed, for those wise in the ways of Christ are sure that He will reward grace-driven effort. Rows planted side-by-side with equal diligence are already different. The humble planter trusts the Lord to bring the harvest.
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