It is a privilege to be with you again today; thanks for being there. This is our third lesson in a row dealing with our words. Last week, we learned about a monster, our tongue, and two weeks ago, it was “Watch Your Mouth.” Today’s title is “Words of Wisdom,” we look inside: What is the source of our words? This lesson is divided into two sections. Earthly wisdom and heavenly wisdom. As usual, James’s teaching on these two topics is unambiguous, and he uses many descriptive words to describe both types of wisdom. Anyone who thinks straight will want the wisdom from above. Yet, we find ourselves gravitating toward earthly wisdom and experiencing the negatives that come with it.
Following Jesus has many moments of fighting our flesh; this is another example of how we must fight against our natural desires. We encourage you not to quit, continue asking Jesus for help, and keep fighting against your natural desires, which come so often. If you fail or when you mess up, run back to the Father and confess, just like the prodigal son. This lifestyle is the wisdom we want to imitate and grow in.
Let’s go with J Mark to James 3 and learn more about these two types of wisdom.
In our previous message from Chapter 3, we learned that no cunning, logic, persuasion, or self-discipline can control our tongue. Does that mean there’s no hope for us in managing our tongues? No. There is not only hope; there is assurance from God’s Word that we can, by God’s grace, gain mastery over this unruly member of our bodies.
By the end of this study, I want you to confidently say, “By God’s grace and my obedience to the prompting of God’s Spirit, I will exercise control over my tongue.” Does that mean you’ll never mess up, never lose control? No. But once you experience the power of God in this area, I believe you will get excited about the results.
Let’s read our text from James 3:13-18. Then, by the guidance and inspiration of the Holy Spirit, we’ll go back and open it up and see the “Words of Wisdom” James provides.
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom.
14 But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth.
15 This wisdom does not descend from above but is earthly, sensual, and demonic.
16 For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.
17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and hypocrisy.
18 Now, the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
James’ “Words of Wisdom” will show us the SOURCES that control our speech patterns.
Before we examine the sources that control our speech, let me make a few introductory comments. Notice that verse 13 begins with a question. “Who is a man of understanding and thorough expertise among you?” This question sets the stage for us to determine the source of our wisdom and whether it is the kind of wisdom God wants us to have.
The First Source is,
Earthly Wisdom
Please note that James does not go immediately to the source of earthly wisdom. Instead, he points out the actions that result from earthly wisdom. By looking at the actions, we can determine the source. That shouldn’t surprise us because Jesus said, “By their fruits, you shall know them.”
That’s how a doctor diagnoses a person’s physical ailments. He looks at symptoms. If he’s a wise doctor, he won’t treat symptoms; he’ll look for the source of the problem and treat that. That’s the method the Holy Spirit inspired James to use here.
Let’s look at those symptoms. Notice the fruits or symptoms listed here: bitter envy, strife, arrogance, and deception.
Bitterness is a result of earthly wisdom. We think that destroying someone’s reputation will somehow elevate us in the eyes of others. And while that may seem to work, we don’t realize that bitterness is destroying us spiritually, emotionally, and physically. Many people today suffer from physical problems related to bitterness, and they don’t even know it.
Envy or jealousy makes war on the good we see in others. We become so blinded by anger that if we see anything good in the other person, we try to destroy it because it makes us look bad. We end up rejoicing in the failures of others and hiding our own. Because we know our shortcomings but don’t want others to know about them, we create elaborate schemes to keep people from knowing what’s in our hearts.
On the outside, we can look like we have it all together, but inside, there is a seething knot of anger, bitterness, jealousy, and condemnation. Condemnation is because we know we should be different but seem powerless to change.
In verse fifteen, James gives a precise diagnosis. He tells us that earthly wisdom doesn’t come from God. It comes from our soul and body, man’s earthly, sensual part. And further, he says, “It is demonically motivated.” Satan knows our weaknesses and areas of vulnerability and will exploit them whenever we give him the opportunity.
Even though a person has been born of the Spirit, born again, this earthly wisdom does not automatically fall off. James wouldn’t have needed to write these words if they were true because he’s writing to believers. You see, the soul needs to be reborn too. This is a process where the Spirit of God living in my spirit begins to take charge, with my cooperation, of course, of my mind, will, and emotions.
Earthly wisdom promotes disorder. There is no limit to the kinds of wickedness that originate from worldly wisdom. It leads people to depths of sin where they thought, perhaps even said, they’d never go.
Can you see how this affects your speech? If the things James listed above are in your heart, they will make themselves known through your words. As you analyze your words, are they the fruit of earthly wisdom?
The Second Source is,
Heavenly Wisdom
Verse 17 begins with the word but. Earthly wisdom originates in the sensual part of man and the regions of the demonic. Heavenly wisdom comes from above. Godly wisdom originates in the regenerated spirit of man and the heavenly places. The contrast could not be more significant.
James informs us that the most outstanding characteristic of this heavenly wisdom is that it is pure, holy, innocent, modest, and clean. It thinks the best of others and compliments them on their successes. It is transparent; it has nothing to hide. It seeks the good of others because it has a genuine appreciation for the diversity of personalities and spiritual gifts within the body.
Because it is pure, it is often misunderstood. Heavenly wisdom says God is just and reasonable in all He does. Earthly wisdom says God is unfair and even sadistic because He allows pain in our lives. Heavenly wisdom says God’s moral laws are meant to bless mankind. Earthly wisdom says God’s moral laws are intended to limit my freedom. We could go on and on.
When the heart is filled with heavenly wisdom, it expresses itself in pure words. Divine wisdom is peaceable. It seeks what is wholesome. It desires to live in peace with others and promotes harmonious relationships among the brotherhood. Instead of being boastful or arrogant, it is gentle, mild, and patient. If I have heavenly wisdom, I will encourage those who are timid to share their thoughts. I will listen to your opinions, observations, and counsel, trying to see the situation from your point of view.
Heavenly wisdom uses peaceable words rather than inflamed rhetoric. It encourages others to listen and consider our brothers and sisters’ thoughts, ideas, and counsel. It promotes unity rather than division.
When heavenly wisdom is confronted, it is approachable and easily reasoned with. It does not speak words that are defensive, harsh, or rude. It has the heart of a learner. It is full of compassion. It knows when to speak and when to be silent. It gives people the benefit of the doubt, a second chance, even as it refuses to compromise the truth. It knows that truth without love is harsh, but love without truth is not love at all, only empty sentiment.
Heavenly wisdom doesn’t play favorites. It doesn’t talk up one person and talk down another. It responds the same way to all. That doesn’t mean we don’t have closer relationships with some than others. It means we treat all persons with the respect and dignity they deserve because they are made in God’s image. It means we listen attentively to a child as to an adult.
Finally, heavenly wisdom is genuinely sincere, transparent, and has no hidden agenda. What you see is what you get.
Now, let’s look at verse eighteen. “And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.” What does that mean? The fruit of righteousness is the product of our right standing with God. Because we’ve accepted the sacrifice of Christ as the only acceptable payment for our sins, we are made righteous in His sight. Specific actions on our part substantiate or verify that acceptance. One of those actions is what we say and how we say it.
Then, it says that fruit is sown, broadcast, or scattered in peace. As it is used here, peace speaks not only of tranquility but also prosperity. Peacemakers always encourage others to exhibit this heavenly wisdom that promotes personal and corporate peace. They work toward peace and do all they can to facilitate it. They know from experience that the person at peace with God and his fellow man is rich.
As you consider your own life, what is the source of wisdom for your words? Are you a follower of Jesus yet still clinging to that earthly, sensual, deceptive wisdom? Are your relationships with others strained by your unforgiving spirit, harsh words, and unwillingness to admit your failures? I’m here to let you know you don’t have to continue down that path. God wants you to have His heavenly wisdom. And He’s made every provision for you to have it.
All you need to do is come before the Lord with a broken and repentant heart. He will forgive your sin and supply the grace you need to confess your faults to those you’ve offended. He will give you, by His Holy Spirit, both the desire and power to speak gracious words, words that build up, words that heal. He will bring tranquility and prosperity you never thought possible to your soul. That’s the promise of the final verse of our text. As you make peace and promote peace, you will experience peace. These will be clear evidence of your right standing with God. Your words will be words of wisdom, heavenly wisdom.
Let’s pray. Merciful Heavenly Father, we need your words of wisdom that build up, encourage, and heal. I confess my need before you and verbalize my desire to be more fully surrendered to your Holy Spirit in this area of my life. And I pray that each person will also find your grace in this area of life. If there is someone they need to go to and ask forgiveness, give them the courage to follow the prompting of your Holy Spirit so they can experience the freedom you want to provide them with, even today.
And now, Father, I commend all who are reading or listening to these words to you and the word of your grace, which can build them up and give them an inheritance among all who are sanctified through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Thanks, J Mark, for sharing this teaching on the two types of wisdom. Yes, he is right. We need God’s Spirit working in us so heavenly wisdom will grow and take over. Surrendering and waging war against the flesh and our natural desires is a continual battle, and our encouragement for you is to stay engaged and keep fighting, and God will be faithful.
It was good to be with you for this study. Please let us know if you have any questions about this teaching or want to hear other teachings from Heralds of Hope. Our email is hope@heraldsofhope.org. You can also contact us via our website, heraldsofhope.org. And of course, you can write to us. Our address is Hope for Today, Box 3 Breezewood, PA 15533. Use any or all of these ways to contact us; the important thing is to hear from you.
This brings us to the end of today’s lesson. Thinking about our topic, wisdom, it only makes sense to leave you with a thought from the wisest man ever. His name was Solomon, and we bless you as you follow this advice; he said, “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore, get wisdom. Though it costs all, you have to get understanding.”
*This episode is an exposition by J. Otis Yoder, re-recorded by J. Mark Horst, with an opening and closing by Arlin Horst.
