Today I am mindful of how dependent I am on wisdom. Not just any wisdom, however, will do. I must have wisdom from above. This being true, a legitimate question is How do we know wisdom which is from above?
To answer this question I turn to James 3:13-18. In this passage I find a type of wisdom which can best be described as arrogance. It seems everyone has an opinion, and everyone has a dominant yet basic motivation behind what he or she does. This is true in the Christian community as well as outside the church. It is even true of those who are faithful in attendance at church and in ministry.
According to this scripture arrogance is the expression of wisdom which is motivated by impure and selfish ambitions or desires. These ambitions can be legion. Motivations can be pure, or they can be selfish. Normally ambitious wisdom is characterized by a desire for and an insistence upon control or self-advancement. It is the kind of wisdom that cultivates important relationships, uses deceptive ploys, and manipulates people to achieve what one has determined to accomplish.
Ambitious wisdom normally breeds resentments, judgmentalism, self-righteousness, and even hatred toward others. It often seems to disregard the good of others and even the ultimate impact upon the witness of the name of the Lord and His church. It divides and condemns in order to justify itself.
However, wisdom from above, that is authentic wisdom, is discernable as well. Wisdom from above is first pure in its motives. It is wisdom that rises out of a sincere commitment to and love for the Lord Jesus Christ. Such wisdom enables obedience to His command to love God, oneself (appropriately) and others. It is reasonable—that is, it is willing to yield and give way when it recognizes an equal or more effective way of accomplishing the Lord's purposes.
Wisdom from above considers others and does not insist upon its own. Wisdom from above is peaceable. It may require sacrifice, but it will always defer to the truth of God. It does not compromise, but holds forth the teachings of the Scriptures as an authority intended to bring peace to life, family, community, and church. It is peace that flows from above through an abiding relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.
Here is the descriptive authority:
James 3:13–18 (ESV)
Wisdom from Above
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 final word in this portion of scripture is highly instructive to me: A harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
To answer this question I turn to James 3:13-18. In this passage I find a type of wisdom which can best be described as arrogance. It seems everyone has an opinion, and everyone has a dominant yet basic motivation behind what he or she does. This is true in the Christian community as well as outside the church. It is even true of those who are faithful in attendance at church and in ministry.
According to this scripture arrogance is the expression of wisdom which is motivated by impure and selfish ambitions or desires. These ambitions can be legion. Motivations can be pure, or they can be selfish. Normally ambitious wisdom is characterized by a desire for and an insistence upon control or self-advancement. It is the kind of wisdom that cultivates important relationships, uses deceptive ploys, and manipulates people to achieve what one has determined to accomplish.
Ambitious wisdom normally breeds resentments, judgmentalism, self-righteousness, and even hatred toward others. It often seems to disregard the good of others and even the ultimate impact upon the witness of the name of the Lord and His church. It divides and condemns in order to justify itself.
However, wisdom from above, that is authentic wisdom, is discernable as well. Wisdom from above is first pure in its motives. It is wisdom that rises out of a sincere commitment to and love for the Lord Jesus Christ. Such wisdom enables obedience to His command to love God, oneself (appropriately) and others. It is reasonable—that is, it is willing to yield and give way when it recognizes an equal or more effective way of accomplishing the Lord's purposes.
Wisdom from above considers others and does not insist upon its own. Wisdom from above is peaceable. It may require sacrifice, but it will always defer to the truth of God. It does not compromise, but holds forth the teachings of the Scriptures as an authority intended to bring peace to life, family, community, and church. It is peace that flows from above through an abiding relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.
Here is the descriptive authority:
James 3:13–18 (ESV)
Wisdom from Above
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 final word in this portion of scripture is highly instructive to me: A harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
Jesus said it this way, "Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called children of God."
Let us never call right wrong or wrong right, but let us be sowers of seeds in peace. Let us abide that we may know and exercise wisdom from above, be peacemakers, and avoid the evil traps of arrogance.
