Read James 3:13-18
Look at verses 15 & 16.
This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.
To better understand what is not the wisdom that comes down from above, we can consider what is meant by how it is described:
- earthly – limited to the earth (Ecclesiastes 1:12-18; 7:23,24;8:16,17; 12:11,12; Isaiah 55:8,9; Romans 11:33)
- unspiritual – natural; of the flesh; foolish (Romans 8:4-8; 1 Corinthians 2:14-3:3)
- demonic – anti-God; idolatrous; no truth in it (1 Corinthians 10:14-22; John 8:44; Matthew 4:1-11)
If we have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in our hearts and are boasting, being false to the truth, then we are not keeping in step with the Spirit (Galatians 5:25). It has nothing to do with the fruit of the Spirit. Jealousy and selfish ambition have nothing to do with God and are in fact opposed to God and to his wisdom. They are limited to the earth and have everything to do with the sinful heart of man and with Satan who is a liar and the father of lies.
This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic…
But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.
This is a heavy contrast. God is gracious to teach us and to warn us to look to the condition of our hearts. Are we living out our faith in Christ by what is earthly, unspiritual, demonic or by the wisdom from above?
Look for where he has already been teaching us and warning us through the writing of James. Here are some that came to mind as I studied. You may find it helpful to read them in context and consider the connection:
- Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. (1:12-18)
- But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. (1:19-25)
- If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless. (1:26-27)
God’s will for us is that we not be deceived. By his grace, he “undeceives” us by telling us the truth about what is in our own hearts when we are living according to the flesh. He shows us how it is opposed to his wisdom which he gives us freely and generously in Christ by the work of his Holy Spirit when we ask (1:5). He makes the difference clear: he alone is wise and we are not; he alone is holy, righteous, and good and we are not (1:17).
But it was his will that he brought us forth by the word of truth as firstfruits (1:18). That we should be holy as he is holy and that he would bring about his righteousness in us through Christ. This is the truth about God and how he works, and this is the gospel. Do not boast and be false to the truth.
Continue in verse 16.
For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.
What does this mean? How will we know that we are living by what is earthly, unspiritual, demonic?
Consider what exist means in this context.
This definition seems to apply here:To remain; to endure; to continue in being.
And, perhaps, in a figurative sense this one: To live; to have life or animation.
If we allow selfish ambition and jealousy to exist, to live and remain active in our hearts, not confessing them (1 John 1:5-10), putting them to death (Colossians 3:5) and instead even making provision for the flesh in them (Romans 13:14), then disorder and every vile practice will result. This is the “fruit” produced by what is earthly, unspiritual, demonic (Hebrews 12:15-17; Philippians 3:17-19).
James is writing to believers who are living out their faith together as a body of believers calling them to address this warning and teaching as individuals (who, by his good conduct, let him, etc.) and as the whole body (among you, in your hearts). Not only are we responsible for the condition of our own hearts, but we are also to care for each other as the body of Christ and be concerned about the impact of our continuing in sin on the hearts of others.
As Paul warns: Your boasting is not good, Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? (1 Corinthians 5:6)
And, later in James 5:19-20: My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.
But this is ultimately the work of God as he works in us producing the fruit of his righteousness through Christ and by his Holy Spirit.
Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. (Hebrews 13:20-21)
This so that we who are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:10) may do the good works that he has planned for us in the meekness of the wisdom from above, the wisdom that alone is wisdom.
But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. (James 3:17-18)
Praise God that we can learn more about him and the wisdom he gives as we move on in our study!