The Book of James: REVISITED Putting Faith to Work! (Chapter 3: Verses 13-18

Hello Friends!

This week we’ll continue to work our way through this serious “study” series solemnly surveying the powerful book of James in considering the TRUE calling of the “Christian” life as directed throughout this excellent Epistle – “Putting Faith to Work!”

The Book of James: Putting Faith to Work! (Chapter 3: Verses 13-18)

¹³ Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. ¹⁴ But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. ¹⁵ This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. ¹⁶ For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. ¹⁷ But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. ¹⁸ And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace – James 3:13-18

OPENING POINTS TO PONDER: As we closely EXAMINE this next powerful section of “James'” wonderful epistle, he continues outlining a series of telling TESTS proving true “faith” found in “Jesus Christ” alone. Here we will be considering the concept of the “TWO Wisdoms” available. One is heavenly the other is earthly. One is godly the other is demonic. One is true the other is false. One is good and the other is evil. Indeed a very – Discerning DISTINCTION!

We will LEARN that what “James” is saying here in the New Testament is indeed exactly what the Old Testament has already said! Therefore, “wisdom” is deeply DIVIDED into these TWO types typified…

ONE: This KIND woefully represents the waning “wisdom” waxed of ~ Maniacal MAN!

TWO: This KIND rightly represents the wonderful “wisdom” ways of ~ Eternal GOD!

In other words, this Sovereign subject matter is NOT a fleeting foreign concept found throughout the Biblical narrative – TWO Wisdoms!

TWO Wisdoms!

Many pious “people” may chiefly CLAIM they possess “wisdom” so called. However, the question to diligently DISCERN as such is this: Is it the “wisdom” of maniacal men or the “wisdom” of our great “God” given? Again, there is a distinctive DIFFERENCE to denote. Therefore, “James” begins this precise portion of his excellent “epistle” by asking a simple QUESTION in calling true “believers” to a solemn self-examination and then follows it up with an equally simple answer of ardent ACTION assumed:

Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom – James 3:13

If we CLAIM to be “wise” among the “brethren” and our “wisdom” is indeed FROM our loving “Lord” Himself, the burden of proof is with US to vehemently verify that we practically POSSESS personally His “wise” attributes. HOW? Here “James” says to “shew” it thoroughly through our willful “works” done with mindful “meekness” as aptly according to the “wisdom” given of “God” expressed throughout our lives. In other words, it is “him” who practically PROVES this wonderful “wisdom” regarded to be true by another trying TEST of his “good conversation” eagerly “endued with knowledge” mined from the pages permeating from the “Word of God” as the fostered – Firm FOUNDATION!

THEOLOGICAL THOUGHTS: This is the ONLY place in the entire New Testament narrative where these TWO words “wise” and “knowledge” appear together as such. The word "knowledge" in the Greek refers to a specialist or a highly skilled professional. The word for "wisdom" in the Greek refers to speculative knowledge or theory in kind. However, the Hebrew infuses "wisdom" with a much DEEPER meaning with the ability to apply our “knowledge” to the matter of “living” out life. Therefore, in the Greek culture "wisdom" was sheer SPECULATION and conversely, in the Hebrew culture "wisdom" was a matter of – PRACTICAL Living!

The simple distinction here is that “knowledge” relates to the accusation of true TRUTH whereas “wisdom” relates to the application of true TRUTH told. In other words, “we” can NOT really be “wise” if “we” do NOT have keen “knowledge” and “we” can NOT really have “knowledge” if “we” are NOT therefore “wise” in mind – TWO Wisdoms!

FALSE Wisdom!

“James” then continues by analyzing the FALSE waning worldly “wisdom” that is NOT at all of our “God” nor has “obedience” observed to our “God” and has NO true “knowledge” sent from our “God” in kind. Therefore, “James” now goes on to “teach” us these several points concerning this WICKED worldly “wisdom” that is from BELOW:

But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work – James 3:14-16

Here we are introduced to the man-centered motivation for all FALSE human waning “wisdom” of which is found fermenting from within the heinous “heart” of satanically “sinful” and fickle “fallen” man-kind. There are TWO attributes that motivate this human “wisdom” of which are “bitter envying” and sordid “strife” surmised. And this “evil work” causes constant “confusion” to commence, boasting lame “lies” set aptly “against the truth“ in full. Thus, “James” juxtaposes that this “wisdom” is entirely “earthly,” sordidly “sensual,” and deeply “devilish” in nature – Sent FROM Satan!

BIBLICAL BACKGROUND: This is similar to what the “Apostle Paul” had said in “writing” to the young pastor “Timothy” in diligently DESCRIBING the fiendish “false teachers” of whom were “giving heed” by terribly TEACHING many deadly “doctrines of devils” ghoulishly generated by the “seducing spirits” of Satan’s invention:

Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils – 1 Timothy 4:1

In other words, this wicked “wisdom” is definitely NOT of true “faith” and is from the pitiful – Pit of HELL!

The dilemma of “unbelievers” who thoroughly THINK themselves to be “wise” is that the reality is they are actually FOOLS! The worldly, finite system of “unregenerate” men are “living” in stark “confusion” filled chaos and demand a humanistic “wisdom” along with every “evil thing” and absolutely NOTHING else. Everything they SEEK to accomplish is limited to the caustic CORRUPTION of fickle man's “fleshly” and sinister system of thought. It piously PERVADES their “worldly” parched philosophy, evil education and EVERY other dimension – FALSE Wisdom!

TRUE Wisdom!

“But” now “James” diligently describes the totally TRUE godly wanted “wisdom” sent from HEAVEN of which is “imputed” to the bold “believer” in an ever-increasing measure as they “grow up” in the sure “sanctifying” power of the Holy Spirit baring much “good fruit” fostered unto “God” above:

But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace – James 3:17-18

This “wisdom” is fruitfully found to be “first pure” and implies a SINCERE spiritual “character” that is FREE from bitter jealousy, selfish ambition and arrogant self-promotion abided. This wonderful “wisdom” is also perfectly “peaceable,” justly “gentle,” and is “easy to be intreated” as it yields in all humility. It is also “full” of much “mercy” and many godly “good fruits” of which does NOT show personal “partiality” or hype “hypocrisy” of a sinister self-serving nature. True real “righteousness” is entirely EQUATED with our great “God’s” worthy “wisdom” wrought. WHY? Because it is surely “sown in peace” of which practically produces a ready real – RIGHTEOUSNESS Received!

HISTORICAL HINTS: In fact, many of these Holy Spirit inspired “fruits” can also be found within the ardent “Apostle Paul’s” excellent “epistle” exegeted to the “brethren” throughout the region of Galatia…

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law – Galatians 5:22-23

That is also the CONFIDENT condition of a true “believer” as indicated in the Beatitudes taught by “James’” big half-brother “Jesus Christ” Himself…

Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God  – Matthew 5:8

The Greek word "see" here means to “understand” more fully. In other words, it is the “pure in heart” of whom really have the “knowledge” of our glorious “God” granted and His TRUE wonderful “wisdom” and have it t in an increasing measure. This “wisdom” given by “God” does NOT create confusion, deceptive disorder or sordid self-promotion of sorts. Therefore, “James” is building on this terrific – TRUE Wisdom!

In closing:

According to pious PHILOSOPHERS throughout the centuries, “wisdom” is that for which “man” should most singly strive for in life. In fact, Cicero in the year 52 B.C. had this non-sense to say concerning “wisdom” ways:

"Wisdom is the best gift of the gods, it is the mother of all good things. The best and that which generates all of the best."

That sums up what most of these pragmatic PURPORTS have felt about “wisdom” itself. WHY? Because if a “man” had true “wisdom” he could get just about anything else in kind. This is the CHIEF culprit of satanically sordid – SINFUL Man!

Surely SUMMARIZING the Scriptures! Among many places throughout the five books of “wisdom” literature found in the Sovereign “scriptures” themselves (Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Song of Solomon) we find similar PROMISES pertaining to the “acquiring’ of wonderful “wisdom” and unique “understanding” as such:

Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding – Proverbs 4:7

And let’s NOT forget the story of the WISEST man in the world named “Solomon“ found in the Old Testament book of 1 Kings when the “Lord” had aptly appeared to him in a dream and inquired:

In Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee? – 1 Kings 3:5

Solomon PLEASED the Lord! Here is “God’s” gracious response pertaining to Solomon’s answer and great PLEA for the true telling “wisdom” of which is ONLY found from “heaven” above:

And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment; Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee. And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days. And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days – 1 Kings 3:10-14

God’s Great GRACE! Whether approaching “wisdom” from the viewpoint of a philosopher or the viewpoint of a writer of Holy Writ, an absolute PREMIUM is set on the acquisition of wonderful “wisdom” of sorts. Beloved, “we” too as “believers” can have HIS willful “wisdom” in our lives TODAY!

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you – Matthew 7:7

Therefore, “we” all must sincerely and unselfishly inquire of “God” Himself – Ask, Seek & Knock!

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Blessings!
Shane K. Morin <><

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