worldly wisdom: part 2 james 3:14-16 - Capitol Commission
WORLDLY WISDOM: PART 2
JAMES 3:14-16
TO: COLORADO LEGISLATORS, SPOUSES AND THE GOVERNOR FEBRUARY 8, 2011
Dan File, PO Box 1088, Lake City, CO 81235 [email protected] Hm- 970.944.2551 Cell- 303.345.8830 Office- 970.944.1088 www.capitolcom.org
James 3:13-18 speaks of a wisdom that is another quality of true faith. And the kind of
1. EARTHLY - JAMES 3:15A
wisdom a person possesses will be revealed by the kind of life he lives. James would say that
James has already explained the prideful motivation behind worldly wisdom.
wisdom reveals an inner quality and the spiritual condition of your heart. Wisdom may be
It is a wisdom that looks out for #1. Here James describes the character of
our highest and most valuable possession. It is clear from Scripture that wisdom is the
this kind of wisdom as earthly. That may not sound so bad at first. But
ability to live rightly and righteously. And as James will expand on, there are two kinds
what does this word mean?
of wisdom; an earthly wisdom and a heavenly wisdom that comes only from above. “earthly” Greek “epigeios,” an adjective that doesn’t always have a negative sense except when used in reference to behavior or thinking. It means of the
I. WORLDLY WISDOM: PART 2- JAMES 3:14-16 James 3:13-18: “Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good
world, springs out of and is limited to the frail and finite of life.
behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. 14. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. 15. This
An earthly wisdom fails to consider God, His sovereignty and will and is
wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. 16.
limited to what man can discover himself, leaving no room for spiritual
For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing. 17.
truth. Philippians 3:19 speaks to those who operate within this realm. This
But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy
type of wisdom is prolific and permeates all of life in philosophy, education,
and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. 18. And the seed whose fruit is
politics, economics, sociology, psychology and every dimension and aspect
righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.”
of human life.1 It is a wisdom that is of the world.
Wisdom is the ability to take knowledge and apply it to your life. If you possess a faith that is real and genuine, then you will be able to bridle your
2. NATURAL/UNSPIRITUAL - JAMES 3:15B Next James describes worldly wisdom as “natural”.
tongue. The genuineness of your faith will be demonstrated by what you talk about. Does your conversation reveal a wisdom from above? Or does
“natural” Greek “psychike,” an adjective derived from the Greek word for
your life reveal one motivated by selfish ambition, characterized by the
soul. Refers to the life of the inner person pertaining to the life of the natural world
world and manifest by disorder and evil practices? James is direct and
and whatever belongs to it in contrast to the supernatural world.2
doesn’t mix words as he teaches about a worldly wisdom that does not come from God. In our study last week, we looked at James 3:14 which exposed the motivation of all worldly wisdom. This study will concentrate on James 3:15-16 which uncovers the character and outcome of worldly wisdom.
A. CHARACTER OF WORLDLY WISDOM - JAMES 3:15 James 3:15: “This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic.”
In the New Testament, this word always has a negative connotation referring to the opposite of spiritual. It refers to the part of man where human wisdom and reason is preeminent. It is life apart from God and without God. 1 Corinthians 2:14 talks about this kind of widom, “But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spritually appraised.”. 3. DEMONIC - JAMES 3:15C
James makes it clear that there is a wisdom that does not come from God. That wisdom is just a false representation of the real thing. “This wisdom” refers back to James 3:14 where he described wisdom without gentleness or meekness and is motivated by selfish ambition and envy. Contrasted with
The word occurs only here in the Bible. “demonic” Greek “daimoniodes,” literally demonical, pertaining to demons.
this worldly wisdom, James makes it clear there is a wisdom “which comes down from above”. Remember, true wisdom is a gift from God as Proverbs 2:6
James says that worldly wisdom is demonic in origin and nature and
states. James describes the character of worldly wisdom in this verse as
therefore in character. It is evident by jealousy, selfish ambition and pride.
earthly, natural and demonic. Each adjective becomes increasingly pointed
It is a wisdom rooted in Satan’s lies rather than God’s truth. James describes
in its description of worldly wisdom.
a wisdom here that is characterized by the world, the flesh and the devil. It stands in direct contrast to a “wisdom that comes from above” characterized by a humility and gentleness that’s heavenly, spiritual and from God.
BIBLE STUDIES LEGISLATORS: TUESDAY @ 7:15 AM, RM 0109 – COLORADO STATE CAPITOL STAFF, LOBBYISTS, SERGEANTS & JOURNALISTS: TUESDAY @ 12:00 PM, RM 271 – COLORADO STATE CAPITOL
CAPITOL COMMISSION COLORADO WORLDLY WISDOM: PART 2
JAMES 3:14-16
B. OUTCOME OF WORLDLY WISDOM - JAMES 3:16
Remember, there are only two types of wisdom; an earthly wisdom devoid
James 3:16: “For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil
of God and a wisdom from above that comes from God. James doesn’t
thing.”
want you to be deceived. Look around you. What kind of wisdom is
James begins this verse with, “For” which indicates that the judgment he is
manifest clearly in our world today?
about to deliver on worldly wisdom is based on its destructive outcomes;
Ask yourself, do the verses in James 3:14-16 describe you in any way?
“disorder and every evil practice.”
Remember, the externals demonstrate what’s on the inside. James is
1. DISORDER - JAMES 3:16B The sure result of an earthly wisdom devoid of God will be manifested first
concerned about your heart. Do you possess a real and genuine faith? It will be evidenced by how you speak and how you act. Does your life reflect a wisdom from above or below?
by disorder. And keep this in mind as well. As believers, James cautions us not to stray “disorder” Greek “akatastasia,” unstable, restless, unsettled, chaotic.
from the truth. If we do, then we will stray in our behavior and our speech. Are you straying from the truth? Do you spend quality time reading, studying and meditating on God’s Word? David wrote in Psalm 119:10-11,
James describes the outcome of worldly wisdom as unstable and restless.
“With all my heart I have sought Thee; do not let me wander from Thy commandments.
When people pursue their own selfish ambitions and personal agenda, this
Thy word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against Thee.” May this be
will only bring about conflict, confusion, rebellion, turmoil…disorder. This
the passion and pursuit of your heart as you serve in your home, community,
outcome described by James does not reflect God’s people at all. Contrast
church and state. If it is, then you will possess a wisdom that comes from
that with “a wisdom that comes from above” , which James 3:17-18 describes, “But
above.
the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” 1 Corinthians 14:33 says, “for God is not a God of confusion but of peace”. But James doesn’t stop with disorder. 2. EVERY EVIL PRACTICE - JAMES 3:16B James goes on to describe the broad kind of destruction that results from earthly, human wisdom for it leads to “every evil thing.” “every” Greek “pan,” every kind of. “evil” Greek “phaulos,” worthless, in its worst, vile and contemptible, the opposite of good. “thing” Greek “pragma,” practice, thing, matter, affair, work, deed, event. The proceeding adjective of “evil” describes the moral character of the thing, matter, work or deed.
The outcome of a wisdom that does not recognize God’s sovereignty, will or truth is just about every kind of evil pratice that one could think of. Ultimately there is no good that can result from worldly, human wisdom. In fact evil, the opposite of good, is what results from a human wisdom that is motivated by selfish ambition and is earthly, natural and demonic.
1MacArthur, John, MacArthur Commentary on James. Moody Press: Chicago, 1998. Pg. 173. 2Hiebert, D. Edmond, James. Moody Bible Institute: Chicago, Illinois, 1992. Pg.208.
JAMES 3:14-16
TO: COLORADO LEGISLATORS, SPOUSES AND THE GOVERNOR FEBRUARY 8, 2011
Dan File, PO Box 1088, Lake City, CO 81235 [email protected] Hm- 970.944.2551 Cell- 303.345.8830 Office- 970.944.1088 www.capitolcom.org
James 3:13-18 speaks of a wisdom that is another quality of true faith. And the kind of
1. EARTHLY - JAMES 3:15A
wisdom a person possesses will be revealed by the kind of life he lives. James would say that
James has already explained the prideful motivation behind worldly wisdom.
wisdom reveals an inner quality and the spiritual condition of your heart. Wisdom may be
It is a wisdom that looks out for #1. Here James describes the character of
our highest and most valuable possession. It is clear from Scripture that wisdom is the
this kind of wisdom as earthly. That may not sound so bad at first. But
ability to live rightly and righteously. And as James will expand on, there are two kinds
what does this word mean?
of wisdom; an earthly wisdom and a heavenly wisdom that comes only from above. “earthly” Greek “epigeios,” an adjective that doesn’t always have a negative sense except when used in reference to behavior or thinking. It means of the
I. WORLDLY WISDOM: PART 2- JAMES 3:14-16 James 3:13-18: “Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good
world, springs out of and is limited to the frail and finite of life.
behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. 14. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. 15. This
An earthly wisdom fails to consider God, His sovereignty and will and is
wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. 16.
limited to what man can discover himself, leaving no room for spiritual
For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing. 17.
truth. Philippians 3:19 speaks to those who operate within this realm. This
But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy
type of wisdom is prolific and permeates all of life in philosophy, education,
and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. 18. And the seed whose fruit is
politics, economics, sociology, psychology and every dimension and aspect
righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.”
of human life.1 It is a wisdom that is of the world.
Wisdom is the ability to take knowledge and apply it to your life. If you possess a faith that is real and genuine, then you will be able to bridle your
2. NATURAL/UNSPIRITUAL - JAMES 3:15B Next James describes worldly wisdom as “natural”.
tongue. The genuineness of your faith will be demonstrated by what you talk about. Does your conversation reveal a wisdom from above? Or does
“natural” Greek “psychike,” an adjective derived from the Greek word for
your life reveal one motivated by selfish ambition, characterized by the
soul. Refers to the life of the inner person pertaining to the life of the natural world
world and manifest by disorder and evil practices? James is direct and
and whatever belongs to it in contrast to the supernatural world.2
doesn’t mix words as he teaches about a worldly wisdom that does not come from God. In our study last week, we looked at James 3:14 which exposed the motivation of all worldly wisdom. This study will concentrate on James 3:15-16 which uncovers the character and outcome of worldly wisdom.
A. CHARACTER OF WORLDLY WISDOM - JAMES 3:15 James 3:15: “This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic.”
In the New Testament, this word always has a negative connotation referring to the opposite of spiritual. It refers to the part of man where human wisdom and reason is preeminent. It is life apart from God and without God. 1 Corinthians 2:14 talks about this kind of widom, “But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spritually appraised.”. 3. DEMONIC - JAMES 3:15C
James makes it clear that there is a wisdom that does not come from God. That wisdom is just a false representation of the real thing. “This wisdom” refers back to James 3:14 where he described wisdom without gentleness or meekness and is motivated by selfish ambition and envy. Contrasted with
The word occurs only here in the Bible. “demonic” Greek “daimoniodes,” literally demonical, pertaining to demons.
this worldly wisdom, James makes it clear there is a wisdom “which comes down from above”. Remember, true wisdom is a gift from God as Proverbs 2:6
James says that worldly wisdom is demonic in origin and nature and
states. James describes the character of worldly wisdom in this verse as
therefore in character. It is evident by jealousy, selfish ambition and pride.
earthly, natural and demonic. Each adjective becomes increasingly pointed
It is a wisdom rooted in Satan’s lies rather than God’s truth. James describes
in its description of worldly wisdom.
a wisdom here that is characterized by the world, the flesh and the devil. It stands in direct contrast to a “wisdom that comes from above” characterized by a humility and gentleness that’s heavenly, spiritual and from God.
BIBLE STUDIES LEGISLATORS: TUESDAY @ 7:15 AM, RM 0109 – COLORADO STATE CAPITOL STAFF, LOBBYISTS, SERGEANTS & JOURNALISTS: TUESDAY @ 12:00 PM, RM 271 – COLORADO STATE CAPITOL
CAPITOL COMMISSION COLORADO WORLDLY WISDOM: PART 2
JAMES 3:14-16
B. OUTCOME OF WORLDLY WISDOM - JAMES 3:16
Remember, there are only two types of wisdom; an earthly wisdom devoid
James 3:16: “For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil
of God and a wisdom from above that comes from God. James doesn’t
thing.”
want you to be deceived. Look around you. What kind of wisdom is
James begins this verse with, “For” which indicates that the judgment he is
manifest clearly in our world today?
about to deliver on worldly wisdom is based on its destructive outcomes;
Ask yourself, do the verses in James 3:14-16 describe you in any way?
“disorder and every evil practice.”
Remember, the externals demonstrate what’s on the inside. James is
1. DISORDER - JAMES 3:16B The sure result of an earthly wisdom devoid of God will be manifested first
concerned about your heart. Do you possess a real and genuine faith? It will be evidenced by how you speak and how you act. Does your life reflect a wisdom from above or below?
by disorder. And keep this in mind as well. As believers, James cautions us not to stray “disorder” Greek “akatastasia,” unstable, restless, unsettled, chaotic.
from the truth. If we do, then we will stray in our behavior and our speech. Are you straying from the truth? Do you spend quality time reading, studying and meditating on God’s Word? David wrote in Psalm 119:10-11,
James describes the outcome of worldly wisdom as unstable and restless.
“With all my heart I have sought Thee; do not let me wander from Thy commandments.
When people pursue their own selfish ambitions and personal agenda, this
Thy word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against Thee.” May this be
will only bring about conflict, confusion, rebellion, turmoil…disorder. This
the passion and pursuit of your heart as you serve in your home, community,
outcome described by James does not reflect God’s people at all. Contrast
church and state. If it is, then you will possess a wisdom that comes from
that with “a wisdom that comes from above” , which James 3:17-18 describes, “But
above.
the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” 1 Corinthians 14:33 says, “for God is not a God of confusion but of peace”. But James doesn’t stop with disorder. 2. EVERY EVIL PRACTICE - JAMES 3:16B James goes on to describe the broad kind of destruction that results from earthly, human wisdom for it leads to “every evil thing.” “every” Greek “pan,” every kind of. “evil” Greek “phaulos,” worthless, in its worst, vile and contemptible, the opposite of good. “thing” Greek “pragma,” practice, thing, matter, affair, work, deed, event. The proceeding adjective of “evil” describes the moral character of the thing, matter, work or deed.
The outcome of a wisdom that does not recognize God’s sovereignty, will or truth is just about every kind of evil pratice that one could think of. Ultimately there is no good that can result from worldly, human wisdom. In fact evil, the opposite of good, is what results from a human wisdom that is motivated by selfish ambition and is earthly, natural and demonic.
1MacArthur, John, MacArthur Commentary on James. Moody Press: Chicago, 1998. Pg. 173. 2Hiebert, D. Edmond, James. Moody Bible Institute: Chicago, Illinois, 1992. Pg.208.
