GODLY WISDOM AND WORLDLY WISDOM

 the wisdom from above 

s first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, 

full of mercy and good fruits, 

without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy

James 3:13-18

Two Kinds of Wisdom

Who is wise and understanding among you? Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom.

But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not be boastful and false to the truth. Such wisdom does not come down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, devilish. For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there will also be disorder and wickedness of every kind

But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace for those who make peace.

St James tells us in this beautiful passage that there are two kinds of wisdom.  

Below is a sermon on this passage by Fr Michael Payyaplilly earlier in March, which I noted down to share...

 

Wisdom that is worldly:

• This kind of wisdom is unspiritual and divilish.
• It leads to earthly wisdom leads to envy and selfish ambition.
• It is only for the self, it is not used for something for good.

 

Wisdom that comes from above:

• is first pure, 
• then peaceable, 
• gentle, 
• willing to yield, 
• full of mercy and
• good fruits, 
• without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy.
  

Generally, we connect wisdom to how wise a person is, we connect it to intellectual wisdom. but wisdom should always be measured through the kind of fruit that wisdom brings about. 

• If that wisdom is bringing out fruit only for that person, in a selfish ambition, then that wisdom is earthly, it is not from God.  However much that wisdom enlightens the intellect, that wisdom is not from God.  Earthly wisdom will ultimately be Satan's little tool for his work to destroy our hearts and our relationship with Jesus. St James says it is devilish, a potential reason for destruction, for selfish ambition. 
  

• In stark contrast, Godly wisdom is pure. It will be peaceable, it will help build up the people around us. Godly wisdom help others grow.  Only the wise will be able to have the peace that can build people up.

Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing - 1 Thessalonia 5:11 

Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up,[a] as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear - Eph 4:29 

Let us then pursue what makes for peace and for mutual up-building - Rom 14:19


When we pray, don't just pray for wisdom, ask God to give us Godly wisdom.