Who Is Wise – James 3:13-18

Book of James New Testament Obedience
/ By Randall Johnson

In Scripture, wisdom is not intelligence, or even right thinking. It is right thinking about God demonstrated in right behavior. Just as faith must be demonstrated by good works, so must wisdom be proven by good character and behavior. It is not just hearing but doing.

Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. (James 3:13-18, ESV)

The use of our words and all our conduct must demonstrate righteousness as proof of our faith. All such conduct will demonstrate faith if it is done in the wisdom that is from above. Divine wisdom does not show itself in jealousy and selfish ambition that leads to disorder and vile practices. That kind of wisdom is demonic wisdom, focused on self-preservation, not trusting in God but keeping everything in your own hands. It is a denial of the truth.

God’s wisdom always leads to purity, peaceableness, gentleness, reasonableness, mercy and good works done in impartiality and sincerely. It cares for the widows and the orphans, it welcomes every believer regardless of social standing, it speaks respectfully of all those made in God’s image and results in a harvest of righteousness. Practitioners of God’s wisdom sow peace and reap peace in an abundant way. They fear God, which is the beginning of wisdom. He is the one they trust their lives to. His ambitions are their only ambitions. They are happy for others to prosper as God wills. Order and fruit attend their way.

About the Author Randall Johnson

A full-time pastor since 1979, Randall originally graduated from Dallas Theological Seminary (ThM) in 1979 and from Reformed Theological Seminary (DMin) in 1998. He is married with four grown children and a pile of epic grandchildren.

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