The Meekness of Wisdom (James 3:13-18)

Today, we find ourselves in the thick of the book of James, a text that refuses to let us escape into comfortable Christianity. James is like that godly friend who doesn't mince words, that person who tells you to your face, "Hey, you've got spinach in your teeth." He's here to tell us we've got something a lot more troublesome than spinach in our teeth—we've got issues in our hearts.

You know, we live in a world captivated by the notion of wisdom, don't we? Business moguls write books about it, motivational speakers make millions selling it, and social media? Oh, it's flooded with bite-sized quotes about wisdom. But what's astonishing is that most people equate wisdom with shrewdness, with a 'get ahead at any cost' mindset.

But James, oh man, James is about to drop a truth bomb on us! He's not here to sugarcoat; he's here to redefine the currency of wisdom in the Kingdom of God. He's saying, "You want wisdom? Great, but understand it's not about how many books you've read, or degrees you've amassed, or business ventures you've succeeded in."

So, as we dig into James 3:13-18, we're going to hit three monumental points that will reshape your understanding of wisdom. First, we'll explore the question, "Who is wise and understanding among you?" — giving us a spiritual mirror to examine our work ethic and character. Second, we'll wade into the murky waters of "Demonic Wisdom," and let me tell you, it's darker than you might think. And finally, we'll arrive at the "Wisdom From Above," the essence of a heart that pleases God and is honored by men.

So grab your Bibles, engage your hearts, and let's prepare to wrestle with the Word. Are you ready? Because what James has to tell us is not just a good suggestion—it's a kingdom imperative. Let's dive in.

Who is Wise and Understanding Among You? (13)

James 3:13 (ESV) — 13 Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.

"Who is wise and understanding among you?" James throws this question out like a challenge, doesn't he? It's as if he's stepping into the ring and saying, "Alright, who thinks they've got it together? Step up!"

You see, James is not just asking this question for the sake of intellectual curiosity. He's pushing us to look at ourselves, to self-examine, and ask, "Is my wisdom and understanding manifested in how I work, in how I serve, in how I live?" In essence, James 3:13 says, "By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom."

So, what's this meekness of wisdom? Meekness isn't weakness; don't get it twisted. In the original Greek, the term for meekness is "prautes," which signifies power under control. Picture a wild stallion tamed, still as strong as ever, but its power is now purposeful, directed, and beneficial. That's meekness. It’s strength that’s submitted to authority. It's courage cloaked in humility.

Here's the kicker: James tells us that our good conduct, our "works," should be shown "in the meekness of wisdom." The way you work—the way you go about your job, the way you serve in ministry, the way you engage in relationships—ought to be influenced by a wisdom that’s both powerful and humble.

Some of you in this room are incredibly talented, ridiculously skilled, and enormously intelligent. God bless you for that! But James is piercing through our accomplishments and our IQ tests and asking, "Yes, but are you wise? And is that wisdom characterized by meekness?”

Listen, the topic at hand is not just about doing good work; it's about doing good work with a posture that reflects the gospel. It's not enough to just punch the clock, meet the quota, or even serve at every church event. The "how" of our work matters—how we engage with others, how we manage our responsibilities, how we respond to challenges.

So, if you're taking notes, write this down: It's not just about what we do; it's about who we are while we're doing it.

We don't want to be people who just clock in and clock out of our Christian lives. We want to be people whose work, whose very lives are drenched in the meekness of wisdom.

And folks, if we don't get this point, we're setting ourselves up for a rude awakening when we delve into our next section, which is—hold your breath—Demonic Wisdom. Are you bracing yourselves? Because this is about to get intense.

Demonic Wisdom (14-16)

James 3:14–16 (ESV) — 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.

Alright, Church, let's brace ourselves, because we're stepping into territory that's as unsettling as it is revealing. James goes from speaking about heavenly wisdom to diving into its sinister counterpart: Demonic Wisdom. He says, "But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth."

"Bitter jealousy" and "selfish ambition"—do you feel the weight of these terms? James isn't pulling any punches. He’s calling out the darkness that often drives us, masquerading as wisdom. You see, demonic wisdom doesn’t come with pitchforks and sulfur; it's much more subtle, lurking in the corners of boardrooms, friendships, and yes, even pulpits.

Let's talk about "bitter jealousy." This isn't just a passing envy of someone's success or blessings. No, this is a gnawing discontent that eats away at your soul, poisoning how you perceive others and tainting how you view yourself. You ever look at someone and think, "Why them? Why not me?" That’s bitter jealousy rearing its ugly head.

And what about "selfish ambition"? This isn’t your typical drive for success; it's ambition gone rogue. It's when your pursuit of goals turns into a steamroller, flattening anyone who stands in your way, even if that means compromising your character.

James is uncompromising as he exposes the fruits of demonic wisdom. He tells us in verse 16, "For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice." It's as if James is saying, "Hey, you want to know the endgame of demonic wisdom? It's chaos. It's disorder. It's everything that is in direct opposition to the Kingdom of God."

Understand this: This sort of wisdom doesn’t build, it destroys. It may give you short-term gains, but it leaves a trail of broken relationships, compromised integrity, and a life in disarray.

Now, hear me out—I'm not here to pummel you with conviction without offering the grace that comes with it. We've all dabbled in demonic wisdom; we've all tasted its fleeting sweetness and shame. But thank God for the grace that calls us out of darkness and offers us an alternative—the Wisdom from Above.

And that, my friends, is where we're heading next. Buckle up, because we're about to shift from the grim reality of demonic wisdom to the liberating truth of Wisdom from Above. Trust me, you'll want to hear this.

Wisdom From Above (17-18)

James 3:17–18 (ESV) — 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.

Ah, we've navigated the turbulent waters of demonic wisdom, and now, thank God, we've arrived at the shores of something far greater—the Wisdom From Above. James 3:17-18 paints a picture so vividly contrasting with what we've just talked about that it's like stepping from a storm into a sanctuary.

"But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere." Take a moment and just let that sink in. Does that not read like a balm to your soul after the tumult of demonic wisdom?

Let's break this down because each descriptor here is a facet of the diamond that is heavenly wisdom.

First off, it's "pure." This is wisdom unadulterated by personal motives, wisdom that seeks God's glory above all. When our wisdom is pure, it's no longer about "me, myself, and I." It's about God's kingdom, God's will, and God's glory.

Then James describes this wisdom as "peaceable," "gentle," and "open to reason." Notice the flow here? Wisdom doesn’t come into the room like a wrecking ball; it enters like a gentle breeze, ushering in peace. It’s willing to listen, to engage in meaningful dialogue, not a monologue.

But there's more—this wisdom is "full of mercy and good fruits." This isn’t a sterile wisdom confined to the ivory towers of theology; it’s wisdom lived out in the trenches of everyday life. It’s active compassion, a helping hand, a comforting word—it's wisdom that does.

Lastly, James closes with "impartial and sincere." Authenticity and fairness—these are the cornerstones of heavenly wisdom. It does not play favorites, and it doesn’t put on a mask to gain approval.

Now, I need you to hear this: This Wisdom From Above is not some unattainable ideal. It's a lifestyle God calls us into, one shaped by our relationship with Jesus Christ.

James closes this segment with verse 18, "And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace." Church, this is the endgame of Wisdom From Above. It's not just personal peace; it's communal. It's a harvest of righteousness that blesses not just you but everyone around you.

So as we prepare to transition into the application of all that we've heard today, ask yourself: What kind of wisdom am I operating in? Is it wisdom that disrupts or wisdom that brings peace? Is it wisdom that serves self or wisdom that glorifies God?

We've journeyed through some intense territory today, but don't lose heart. Because where we’re going next is the 'how-to,' the application that makes all this theology both touchable and doable. Are you ready? Let's take this home.

Application: Choosing the Right Kind of Wisdom

Alright, Church, this is where the rubber meets the road. We've dissected James' words, we've dug deep, but now what? How do we ensure that when we step outside these church doors, we're operating in the Wisdom From Above and not settling for its demonic counterpart?

First, let’s address the elephant in the room: Why do we often choose the wrong kind of wisdom when we're out there, in the real world? The short answer is—it’s easier. It's easier to be driven by our egos, our ambitions, our need to one-up each other. It's easier to manipulate and scheme our way through situations than to take a step back and ask, "What would Jesus do?" But Church, ‘easy’ is not what we're called to; we're called to ‘right.’

Now, I mentioned earlier that this Wisdom From Above is not an unattainable ideal but a lifestyle shaped by our relationship with Christ. Let’s unpack that.

You see, Christ is not just the object of our worship; He's our model for living. When you think about it, Jesus epitomized the Wisdom From Above. He was pure in His motives, peaceable in His ways, gentle in His approach, and oh, so full of mercy and good fruits. To walk in heavenly wisdom is to walk as Jesus walked.

So, how do we make this practical?

1. Self-Examination: Each day, take a few minutes to examine your motives, your actions, and your words. Is what you're doing or saying aligned with the Wisdom From Above? If not, course-correct.
2. to Humility: Admit when you're wrong, acknowledge when you don't know something, and give credit where it’s due. Humility is the soil in which the seed of heavenly wisdom grows.
3. Open to Correction: When someone points out a flaw or offers advice, don’t just dismiss it. Be open to reason, be willing to change—this is a mark of heavenly wisdom.
4. Grace: Be merciful, not just in big acts of charity, but in the everyday interactions. Extend grace to the barista who messed up your coffee, to the colleague who's hard to deal with, to the family member who's been difficult. Mercy is an indicator of the wisdom you carry.
5. Grounded in the Word: Wisdom From Above is rooted in God's Word. Spend time in it daily. Let it correct you, guide you, and equip you for every good work.

So there you have it, Church. We don’t have to be rocket scientists or theological prodigies to live wisely. We just need to be people committed to living like Jesus, committed to letting His Wisdom From Above shape our choices, our actions, and our interactions.

Remember, wisdom is not about the complexity of our thoughts but the integrity of our hearts. It's not about how much we know, but how well we love. And that, beloved, is a wisdom this world is desperately hungry for. Let's be the ones to show them what it looks like. Amen?

Conclusion: You Want Wisdom?

Church, we started today with a question that echoes through the hallways of history, a question that gnaws at the soul of every person sitting here: "You want wisdom?"

Well, James has given us an uncompromising, life-altering answer. It's not just about acquiring knowledge or achieving success. It’s about the very posture of our hearts. It's about our character, fashioned and refined by the gospel of Jesus Christ. We’ve dissected what it means to be wise and understanding according to God’s perspective. We've confronted the unsettling reality of demonic wisdom, and we've been lavished by the profound beauty of Wisdom From Above.

James doesn’t just leave us there. He tells us that the wisdom we carry affects not only us but everyone around us. You see, we're all gardeners in the fields of life, and the seeds of wisdom we sow will bear fruit. Will that fruit be disorder and chaos, or will it be a harvest of righteousness, peace, and love? That choice is ours to make, every single day.

I want you to grasp this—true wisdom is not just a change of mind; it's a transformation of character. It’s not a tool in your belt; it’s the compass of your soul. And thank God, we're not left alone to figure this out. We have the living, breathing example of Jesus Christ, the epitome of heavenly wisdom, guiding us every step of the way.

So, as you step out of this sanctuary and into the complexity of your lives—your families, your jobs, your communities—carry with you the Wisdom From Above. Let it shape your decisions, color your relationships, and define your legacy.

You want wisdom, Church? It's already within your reach. It starts and ends at the foot of the Cross, where love most pure was demonstrated, where heavenly wisdom was personified in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Let that wisdom be the lens through which you see the world, the principle that drives your actions, and the love that governs your relationships.

Walk in it, live it out, and watch as God uses you to sow seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness. That, my beloved, is wisdom worth striving for.