The Gift of True Wisdom
To explain the difference between wisdom from above and earthbound wisdom and to affirm that all true wisdom is a gift from God
Scripture:
Job 28:12-18 & James 3:13-18
““But do people know where to find wisdom? Where can they find understanding? No one knows where to find it, for it is not found among the living. ‘It is not here,’ says the ocean. ‘Nor is it here,’ says the sea. It cannot be bought with gold. It cannot be purchased with silver. It’s worth more than all the gold of Ophir (oh-fear), greater than precious onyx or lapis (lap -is) lazuli(laz-uh-Lee). Wisdom is more valuable than gold and crystal. It cannot be purchased with jewels mounted in fine gold. Coral and jasper are worthless in trying to get it. The price of wisdom is far above rubies.”
“If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your heart, don’t cover up the truth with boasting and lying. For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind. But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.”
I know I have shared before that for my New Year Resolution I let Abba give me a word to work on. This year my word was wisdom. What an eye opener it has been. I thought I was very wise, but discovered I was very lacking in spiritual wisdom.
Have you heard the claim that we use only 10% of our brains? Technology: has proved this to be a myth. Over a day period we use just about every part of our brain. James talks about wisdom from above and one from below (earthbound). So we can choose to be single-minded or double-minded.
Eugene Peterson said in the Message: Wisdom is the way we live not the way we talk. Mean-spirited ambition isn’t wisdom, twisting the truth to make yourselves sound wise isn’t wisdom. It is the furthest thing from wisdom - it is animal cunning, devilish conniving . When we try to look better than others or get the better of others, things fall apart and everyone ends up at the others’ throats. Real wisdom is God’s wisdom / spiritual wisdom. It is gentle, reasonable, overflowing with mercy and blessings. God wants us to do the hard work of getting along with each other, treating each other with dignity and honor.
Have you heard the statement that Christians are people who are “in” the world but not “of” the world. James 4:4 tells us we should avoid developing a friendship with the world. So what then does it mean to be in the world but not of the world? We physically live in this world. Our feet are planted on the soil of this earth and so are the people who hate God. We live here and work here. The answer is: we are to live in this world without embracing its beliefs or its values. We are to conduct ourselves according to its laws without breaking the laws of God. We are to enjoy the culture and do what we can by God’s grace and power to transform it but we must be diligent not to let this culture shape our ideas, aspirations, desires and conduct. Paul says in Romans 12:2 “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind.” The tiny preposition “of” means that we do not draw upon its energy to live, that we do not derive our motivation from the spirit of the world, that we do not identify with it in such a way that its power serves to drive and sustain us. Our Power, energy, motivation, and values are from the Kingdom of God as revealed in Jesus Christ. We are undoubtedly “in” this world until we die or Jesus returns, but we are never “of” it. This world claims nothing from us, it doesn’t own us, it doesn’t dictate how we believe or live or govern the decisions we make. We are confronted with the unmistakable and decisive contrast between what this world prizes and approves and what followers of Jesus prize and approve.
The world insists that God doesn’t exist. We as christians know God called the world into being. God governs everything in human affairs including the will and actions of humans. History is providentially (proh-vi-dent -aul-ly) under the direction of a loving and all–wise God who will bring everything to its proper consummation in such a way that Jesus Christ will be seen and honored and glorified as Lord of all. We believe that what God says is good, is good; and what God says is evil, is evil. He is the deciding factor.
In our scripture today James assesses wisdom. He says three things about earthly wisdom.
If it is earthly - what we want is the measure of what matters. What we enjoy is the measure of what is good. The revelation of God is Scripture simply plays no part in forming this person’s worldview or value system.
It’ll it is natural. There isn’t much difference between earthly and natural. Both are the mental and emotional energy that gives direction to life and need look no farther than the depraved and self-serving interests of a fallen and corrupt heart.
If it is demonic. Wisdom, it leads to bitter envy and selfish ambition and arrogant boasting,
These types of wisdom lead to disorder, every vile practice. It gives the right to do what feels good, to pursue your pleasure in whatever way fits your fancy. Nothing is under control and everything is permissible. Such is the fruit of the wisdom of this world.
Now let’s look at the Wisdom from Above / Spiritual wisdom. What is the wisdom that comes from God, the wisdom of heaven? James describes it in ten ways:
If you are filled with Godly Wisdom your conduct will show it. The will of God is carefully and meticulously obeyed.Your conduct will exhibit joy, peace, a sense of freedom and satisfaction. Wisdom embraces that humility is more like Christ.
It reflects God’s value system and embraces God’s purposes for this world and your life is pure and morally blameless. Yes we will miss the mark, and sin but an instant conviction will occur, and we will confess with a heart-felt repentance.
It is peaceful. God’s wisdom hates conflict, unless it is in defense of the truth. James encourages us to turn our energy toward unity and conciliation rather than division and alienation.
It is gentle.
It is open to reason. It produces a heart that is considerate and respectful that says to those who disagree with him, let’s talk and listen to each other.
It is full of mercy.
It is good fruits.
It is impartial.
It is sincere
It is a harvest of righteousness.
It doesn’t mean we never pass judgment or lack discernment or the backbone to stand on what we believe is true. It simply means we base whatever judgments are drawn on the principles of God’s Word.
How do we recognize a person with spiritual wisdom? By the tangible beauty in the way they treat others and go about serving without so much as a twinge of envy or selfish ambition. Their lives are unmistakably pure. No one has accused them of immorality. They have a gentle spirit. They always listen to the opposing side. They are full of mercy and overflowing with the good fruit of the Holy Spirit. They are not prejudiced and truly love others.
Spiritual Wisdom comes from God. Anyone who seeks it can attain it. The Holy Spirit can guide and inform anyone at any given moment in order to accomplish God’s plan. Biblical Wisdom says we should give all we can and take care of the weakest among us. God’s wisdom always leads us to a place of justice and peace. To be genuine means to act and speak with no falsehoods, agendas, pretensions or be fake. These qualities describe a wise person who has received the pure gift of wisdom from God.
Proverbs 24: 13-14
My child, eat honey, for it is good, and the honeycomb is sweet to the taste. In the same way, wisdom is sweet to your soul. If you find it, you will have a bright future, and your hopes will not be cut short.”
The saying - “This too shall pass.” It’s meant to be both a comfort and a warning. Hang on! It will pass. Nothing lasts forever. All physical things do pass away. all our achievements, possessions, youth, beauty, strength—none of it can last because nothing earthly lasts forever. But that isn’t the ultimate truth. Some things do last forever. God’s wisdom is one; finding it gives you a future and hope. God’s Word is another. It’s sweeter than honey, more precious than gold. Jesus said, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away”
Prayer: Father, Help us to understand the wisdom you give us. Especially to love you and love others. May we be doers of humble deeds as we offer you to the world in ways that are peaceable, gentle, obedient, merciful, fair and genuine; in Jesus’ name we pray. Amen
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