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 As a youth group, we have been studying the topic of the wisdom of God, and our passage for this week is James 3:13-18. Normally when we think of wisdom in the bible, our minds gravitate to the Old Testament books of Proverbs, Psalms, and Ecclesiastes, but in thinking of wisdom we cannot neglect the book of James. He begins this passage with the question in vs. 13: Who is wise and understanding among you? If we were to pose this question to our secular world, the response would be that the one who is wise is someone who is smart, intellectual, and well-read. Someone who gets good grades, or is fluent in multiple languages, or has multiple college degrees. But how does James answer his own question in vs. 13?  The one who is wise is not necessarily one who is intellectually smart but rather one who is trusting in God. The fruit of this trust in God and the gaining of wisdom is good conduct marked by humility. The measure of true wisdom is a humble attitude. ESV uses the word “meekness” instead of humility, which onveys the same thing. True wisdom flows out of meekness. To be meek is to be submissive, to be patient and humble and to learn to yield to the control of the spirit. When you have this attitude, then you will discover true wisdom.        

  In verse’s 14-18, James contrasts 2 different types of wisdom. Earthly Wisdom and Godly (or divine) Wisdom. The opposite of divine wisdom gained by humility and meekness is earthly wisdom stemming from what James says in vs. 14: bitter jealousy and selfish ambition. When you have a big decision or a choice to make, what are your motives? Am I wanting to do this for my own personal gain? Am I wanting to do this because I will make money, or gain popularity or status? Or maybe because someone else is doing it and I want to be better than them? Sometimes, we make decisions because we are jealous of others or because we have selfish ambitions. Satan has instilled in our flesh a desire to want to be the best, to want to be on top of the world and to be like God, and sometimes the decisions and choices we make can reflect those desires of our flesh. Selfish ambition is also translated as “rivalry” in the New Testament. If you think about sports rivalries it often includes one team hating another team and doing whatever it takes to beat them. This is a willingness to do what whatever it takes to get to the top without caring about others.

In vs. 15, James shows us that bitter jealousy and selfish ambition do not come from God, but rather this is earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. The wisdom that comes from God is different. Wisdom from God is first of all Pure. Purity is listed first because everything else that is listed here flows from a purity of heart. The Greek word for pure is the word “hagne” which means without any spiritual, ethical, or behavorial imperfection. This is perfectly in line with the character of God. God is pure, and so the wisdom that he gives is pure. Jesus said in Matthew 5:8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” Wisdom that is pure is wisdom that is without any sinful attitude or selfish motive. James lists 7 other words to describe the wisdom from God: Peaceable, considerate, submissive, full of mercy, and sincere, or authentic and genuine. The result of seeking this godly wisdom is a harvest of righteousness. When we seek the wisdom of God and put it into action in our lives, we will grow in righteousness and Christlikeness. Earthly wisdom produces disorder and chaos but heavenly wisdom produces righteousness and holy living.       

 So how do you cultivate this godly wisdom in your life? First, humble yourself before God. Second, study the word, as God reveals his wisdom through his word. Have you ever been given a pop quiz? The only way you will succeed in a pop quiz is if you know and have studied the material. When we study his word and take it to heart, we will be ready to handle life’s circumstances with the full wisdom of God. Third, we are to pray, and ask God, as James says in 1:5 “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” We can ask God confidently to give us his wisdom, and he generously gives wisdom to all who ask for it.