Wisdom from Above or Below James 3:13-18 Wisdom from Above or Below

James 3:13-18 “13 Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. 15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. 18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.”

The Conditional, Rhetorical Question James 3:13 “Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.” Show you are wise by two actions: Good conduct Meekness

“Pride means we want to promote ourselves and bring others down “Pride means we want to promote ourselves and bring others down. Pride is nothing to be proud of.” Sam Allberry

Worldly Wisdom or Wisdom from Below (v. 14-16) James 3:14-16 “14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. 15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.”

Godly Wisdom or Wisdom from Above James 3:17-18 “17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. 18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.”

James 1:5   “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.”   Proverbs 2:6-7 “6 For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; 7 he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity…”

Proverbs 3:13-16 “13 Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, 14 for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold. 15 She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her. 16 Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.” Proverbs 4:5-9 “5 Get wisdom; get insight; do not forget, and do not turn away from the words of my mouth. 6 Do not forsake her, and she will keep you; love her, and she will guard you. 7 The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight. 8 Prize her highly, and she will exalt you; she will honor you if you embrace her. 9 She will place on your head a graceful garland; she will bestow on you a beautiful crown.”

1 Kings 3:9 “Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?”   Daniel 2:20-22 “20 Daniel answered and said: ‘Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might. 21 He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding; 22 he reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him.’”

  Galatians 5:22-23 “22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”

Origin WISDOM FROM BELOW WISDOM FROM ABOVE Characteristics   Meekness of wisdom (v13) Bitter jealousy (v14 & v16) Peaceable (v17) Selfish ambition (v14 & v16) Gentle (v17) Boasting (v14) Open to reason (v17) False to the truth (v14) Sincere (v17) Earthly (v15) Impartial (v17) Unspiritual (v15) Full of mercy and good fruits (v17) Demonic (v15) Pure-holy (v17) Results Disorder (v16) Peace (v18) Every vile practice (v16) Harvest of righteousness (v18)

Psalm 119:97-101 “97 Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day. 98 Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is ever with me. 99 I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation. 100 I understand more than the aged, for I keep your precepts. 101 I hold back my feet from every evil way, in order to keep your word.”