James 3:13–18 (NKJV)
“Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.”
I. TRUE WISDOM IS REVEALED BY OUR CONDUCT (v. 13) – “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom.”
Wisdom shows up:
In how you respond when someone criticizes you
In how you treat your spouse
In how you talk to your children
In how you behave when nobody is watching
In how you handle pressure
In how you respond to disagreement
Scripture References:
- Numbers 12:3 – “Now the man Moses was very humble, more than all men who were on the face of the earth.”
- Colossians 4:2-6 – “Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak. Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.”
II. EARTHLY WISDOM PRODUCES CHAOS (v. 14-16) – “But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.”
Scripture References:
- Matthew 16:24 – “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him DENY himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.”
- Romans 12:15 – “Rejoice with those who rejoice.”
III. HEAVENLY WISDOM HAS DISTINCT CHARACTERISTICS (v. 17) – “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.”
Characteristics of Christlikeness:
A. PURE – God cares about motives
- Psalm 24:3–4 – “Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart.”
B. PEACEABLE – Godly wisdom pursues peace
- Matthew 5:9 – “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”
C. GENTLE – Gentleness is strength with compassion
D. WILLING TO YIELD – Teachable. Approachable. Open to correction
- Proverbs 12:15 – “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he who heeds counsel is wise.”
E. FULL OF MERCY AND GOOD FRUITS – Compassion towards people who don’t deserve it
- Lamentations 3:22-23 – “His mercies are new every morning.”
F. WITHOUT PARTIALITY – Godly wisdom does not play favorites
- James 2:8-9 – “If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you do well; but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors.
G. WITHOUT HYPOCRISY – Wisdom is genuine
IV. GODLY WISDOM PRODUCES RIGHTEOUS FRUIT (v. 18) – “Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.”
Scripture References:
- Galatians 6:7 – “Whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.”