The Pursuit of True Wisdom

13 Who among you is wise and understanding? By his good conduct he should show that his works are done in the gentleness that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your heart, don’t boast and deny the truth. 15 Such wisdom does not come down from above but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there is disorder and every evil practice. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without pretense. 18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who cultivate peace.

James 3:13-18

Introduction

Well, let’s start this way. I want you to picture with me a church meeting for a moment. One man stands up. He speaks with confidence, quotes scripture freely, and by the end of the evening, he’s gotten his way. And so, he walks out feeling he has served the Lord. But has he? Then I want you to picture another man in the same room. But this gentleman is much quieter. He’s less impressive. He yields his preference for the sake of peace. He says little. Which of these two men has shown himself wise that evening?

Brothers and sisters, the truth is every generation the church faces the same temptation. And that is to confuse giftedness with godliness, cleverness with wisdom, influence with spiritual maturity. A man may be eloquent, strategic, admired by many, and still operate with wisdom that doesn’t come from God. We build friendships. We disciple others. We share the gospel and labor to cultivate a thriving Christian community. Yet all the while neglecting the question James asks in our text. Who is wise and understanding among you?

Well, James writes to believers like you and I. Believers who were living under the pressures and temptations of a fallen world. And he calls us to demonstrate the reality of our faith, not in what we claim, but in the choices we make in everyday life. His call this morning is simple. Pursue wisdom. However, the kind of wisdom we pursue will shape our homes. It’ll shape our workplaces. It’ll even shape our church. True wisdom, not the wisdom of the world, not the world’s imitation of it. True wisdom is what we are to pursue.

Friends, we may be certain of this. With every good gift that the Lord gives to his children, Satan will always offer a counterfeit. Like the counterfeit note, a counterfeit note can fool almost anyone. It has the right color. It has the right size, even the right portrait. Everything but the one thing that makes it real. Wisdom too has counterfeits. They can fool the church. False wisdom can fool a church long enough, just as a forged note can fool a cashier. If you and I, brothers and sisters, are to pursue wisdom, then we must know the difference between the genuine and the counterfeit.

So James gives us in our text the test for true wisdom. Look at verse 13 with me. Verse 13 says, “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom.” So there it is. And James uses the similar phrase he used in chapter 2, verse 18, where he said, “Show me your faith.” And there faith proves itself by how one conducts themselves. And here wisdom proves itself by good conduct, a godly manner of life, a life that is marked by meekness.

The Counterfeit Wisdom

Well, this morning, brothers and sisters, we’re going to look at two kinds of wisdom side by side. And with each one, we’re going to consider its character, its source, and its fruit. The title of our sermon this morning is “The Pursuit of True Wisdom.” And so look with me first at the counterfeit wisdom. We’ll see the counterfeit wisdom from verse 14 through to verse 16.

So please read with me those verses once more. Verses 14 through 16. James says, “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.”

In these verses, James exposes what the counterfeit wisdom looks like. But notice verse 14. He starts with the word “but.” Here James is drawing a contrast between the man in verse 13 who shows wisdom through godly conduct and now James turns altogether to another kind of wisdom.

So let’s see first the character of this counterfeit wisdom. The character in verse 14. Verse 14 says, “If you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth.” So the first mark of counterfeit wisdom is bitter envy and selfish ambition. The word envy there comes from the Greek word zelos, which is where we get our root English word zeal. But zeal itself is not sinful, is it? For there is such a thing as godly zeal. But James here says this zeal is bitter. It is corrupt. It is zeal that flows from a heart that is poisoned by envy and rivalry.

And so James says the first mark is bitter envy and selfish ambition. But again, James is writing this especially this part of the scripture to those who desired teaching and influence in the church. But his letter was to be read to the entire congregation because this temptation belongs to you and I as well.

How does this kind of counterfeit wisdom look like? Well, picture a husband and wife disagreeing over how to spend Saturday or how to discipline one of the children. The husband stands up. He doesn’t shout. He simply will not allow his wife to point out certain things. He will not let her point stand without getting the last word. And so he brings up old mistakes, not because of its relevance, but because it will sway the argument his way. And by the end of the conversation, he has won. He tells himself, “I was simply standing up for what’s right.” And here, bitter envy is wearing the mask of conviction.

So, bitter envy doesn’t always look like raised voices or open conflict. A person living with this counterfeit wisdom will tear others down to build himself up, sometimes as quietly as bringing in failure just at the right moment. He’ll manipulate. He’ll exaggerate the truth. He will shape the truth to get his way. He may even weaponize private conversations. He will plant suspicion. He will quietly stir division. Anything to preserve his own influence, whether at home, at work, or even in the church. Under this kind of wisdom, people are expendable. Relationships become the battleground for being right. Friends, even ministry becomes a platform to build one’s ego rather than love and service. James says in verse 14, such people boast and lie against the truth. And why is that? This is because these people are living a life that is contrary to the truth they claim to possess. They speak of serving Christ while trampling on Christ’s people.

And where does this kind of wisdom come from? But look at verse 15 with me to see the source of this counterfeit wisdom. Verse 15 says, “This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic.” Do you see the contrast? This wisdom does not descend from above. In chapter one, James told us something that descends from above. He said, “Every good and perfect gift comes from above, and it comes from the Father of lights.” But this wisdom has a different origin entirely.

James names it in three increasingly severe words. Look at your text. He says, “It is not from above, but it is earthly, sensual, demonic.” It is earthly because it is bound to this fallen world. It chases reputation, status, self-preservation. It is sensual or unspiritual because it is the wisdom of fallen humanity operating without divine grace. And then James says something staggering. He says it is demonic. But why such strong language? Well, that’s because the spirit of selfish ambition is at the root. Satan’s very own spirit, pride, self-exaltation, rebellion against God. This kind of wisdom, its final aim is not the glory of God, but is the glory of self. That’s why James says it is demonic.

Now, this does not mean that unbelievers have nothing to teach us. Because some people might say, “Does that mean that unbelievers do not have the spirit of God and so they do not have wisdom?” By God’s common grace, many unbelievers display real intelligence and skill. There is much we can learn from them about ordinary matters of life. But what James is speaking about in this text, brothers and sisters, is the wisdom that governs the heart that shapes our lives before God.

Notice how he stacks those three words. He stacks them up in increasing intensity. He says first it is earthly, and then he goes on to say it is unspiritual, and then lastly he says it is demonic. The progression is sobering, isn’t it? What does not come from the spirit of God will sooner or later show itself to belong to this fallen world.

And what does this kind of wisdom produce? Well, look at verse 16 with me as we see the fruit of this kind of wisdom. “For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.” Confusion and every evil thing. And the church has tasted this fruit more times than we’d wish to count. Where selfish ambition takes root, believers stop serving one another. Rather, they start devouring one another. Instead of unity, there’s factions around personalities.

Friends, here’s what makes this kind of wisdom so dangerous. Earthly wisdom can wear a very convincing disguise for a season. A church may look like it’s flourishing. A leader can look like he’s growing in influence. A marriage or friendship can look like it’s thriving, yet underneath ambition is quietly breeding gossip and suspicion. The same way that rot spreads inside a beam long enough, long before we see the cracks in the ceiling and then eventually it shows. Sinful ambition never stays contained. It is never satisfied with merely getting its way. The old saying is true. You give the devil an inch and he will take a whole mile.

Paul describes it this way. Galatians 5:19-21. Where the works of the flesh are evident. Here’s what follows. Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambition, dissensions, envy, murder. Do you notice that selfish ambition is right there in the midst of all these other sins that shouldn’t be named among the people of God? Why? Because both James and Paul know that this kind of wisdom never travels alone. It brings with it all these other kinds of sins. Counterfeit wisdom then is earthly, unspiritual and demonic. It is a bitter fountain that at the end produces only destruction. Destruction in the home, in your workspaces, in the church, in our relationships.

Lehman Strauss puts it plainly, “He is no wise man who fails to shun impure motives and practices.” So consider your life with me for a moment. Does it bear this kind of fruit? Are you easier to offend than to correct? Are you more concerned about being right than being holy? Do people experience peace or tension around you? If these questions expose sin in you, James is not exposing you to leave you hopeless. God gives grace to the proud and struggling sinner who will humble themselves before him.

The True Wisdom

And so James turns from the wisdom that destroys to the wisdom that is genuine, to the wisdom that gives life. So here in verse 17 through 18 we’ll see what true wisdom looks like. What this wisdom that we ought to pursue looks like. Having seen the character, the origin, and the fruit of counterfeit wisdom, James now turns our attention to the real thing. What is genuine wisdom? What does it look like? Where does it come from? And what does it produce?

Look at verse 17 with me as we see its origin. Where does it come from? Verse 17 says, “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.” True wisdom is wisdom from above. It is heavenly wisdom. It is wisdom that comes from God himself. This stands in complete contrast to the earthly, unspiritual, demonic wisdom we just considered.

And the foundation of this wisdom we read in Proverbs chapter 9, verse 10: it is the fear of God. Proverbs says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” Now, this is not the fear one has before a lion or a fear of thunder or maybe a fear of a mighty waterfall. Although God’s majesty is more terrifying and more glorious than all of these, the fear of the Lord is reverent awe before a holy God who sees all things, who knows all things, who is sovereign and reigns over all.

This wisdom, true wisdom, is wisdom from God. And God delights to give us this kind of wisdom. Please turn with me to James chapter 1, verse 5. Just a page from where we are. James writes to the church as they’re facing different trials. He says to them in verse five, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” What a gracious promise that is. James does not say that God might give wisdom to those who ask. He doesn’t say that God will reluctantly give wisdom to those who ask. Rather, he says he will give generously to all. As it were, you are holding your cup and you’re asking him for wisdom. He comes with his jar and pours wisdom till your cup overflows. That’s how much he wants to give wisdom to those who will ask.

And this wisdom, brothers and sisters, wisdom from above does not stay hidden in the heart. It becomes visible. Think of walking into a dark room and flipping the switch. The light does not come in and introduce itself or announce itself. Rather, as soon as you flip that switch, the light turns on and it drives away the darkness in the room and everything becomes visible. Wisdom works the same way in our lives. Once we have it, it will be evident. It will show itself in how we speak, how we lead, how we serve, how we suffer, how we correct, and how we forgive.

Do you see the contrast between these two wisdoms? One exalts itself while the other submits under God. One is driven by selfish ambition while the other by reverent obedience. One springs from pride while the other flows from a fear of the Lord. Wisdom from above produces a life that increasingly reflects the character of God.

The second half of verse 17 tells us exactly what this wisdom looks like. Look at verse 17 once more with me. He says, “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.” Here we now consider its character. So true wisdom is from above. That’s its origin. And its character, James says, is first pure, then peaceable. And the order there matters because biblical peace is never pursued at the cost of holiness. Biblical peace is never pursued at the cost of holiness. True wisdom does not soften the truth to keep things comfortable. Purity comes first, then genuine peace. Genuine peace flows out of purity, not around it.

I want you to picture with me two church members meeting for coffee after a disagreement. One version of making peace would be to simply let the wrong go unsaid, to just smile and change the topic, to speak about something else. There peace is bought by silence. But the wisdom James describes here doesn’t work that way. It might mean that one has to gently name what was actually sin in their disagreement, and then the other would have to accept it, receive it without any defensiveness. This kind of making peace is harder, isn’t it? Showing someone their sin, being told how you are sinful. But this is the only peace that matters. This is the only kind of peace that lasts. And this kind of peace only comes from true wisdom.

The wise are first at peace with God. That’s what scripture tells us. If we are going to be wise, we need to be first at peace with God. How are we at peace with God? In Romans 5:1, the Apostle Paul tells us that we have been justified by faith. Therefore, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. And peace with God overflows into a pursuit of holiness and peace with others. If we are at peace with God, then we should be at peace with others. The author of Hebrews in chapter 12, verse 14 says, “Pursue peace with all men, and holiness.” And the apostle Paul says in Romans 12:18, “If possible, as much as it depends on you, live peaceably with all men.”

Friends, where God’s people live in this way, the flavor of the community changes. Instead of biting and devouring one another, they are found loving, encouraging, praying for, and caring for one another.

But James continues, he tells us that true wisdom is also gentle and willing to yield. And this is a direct opposite to the counterfeit wisdom. The world calls gentleness weakness. The world says you should not yield. Refuse correction. Refuse to consider anyone else’s interest above your own. Worldly wisdom would sooner wreck a relationship than surrender its own way. But heavenly wisdom, it’s different. It is tenderhearted. It is not harsh. It’s not combative or self-protective. Rather, it seeks the good of the one it loves.

James says it is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield. But then he also goes on to tell us that this wisdom is also full of mercy and good fruits. Full of mercy and good fruits. Well, genuine wisdom just like genuine faith produces genuine fruit. Those who possess it increasingly display the fruit of the Spirit. Apostle Paul told us. And the fruits of the Spirit are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. This is what comes out of the life of those who have true wisdom. Wisdom from above.

And then finally, James says, “This wisdom is without partiality and without hypocrisy.” And earlier in his book, James had already condemned favoritism. And Paul says in Philippians 2, verses 3-4, “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind, let each esteem others better than himself.” So here, brothers and sisters, true wisdom does not size up people by their status, their usefulness, their wealth. It is not two-faced.

Lehman Strauss puts it well. He says, “Wisdom from above marks one’s life. It pours out itself in compassion. It pleads for sinners. It pities the suffering. It is not a chameleon changing color with every surrounding situation, but always dependably consistent, honest, and sincere.”

And the fruit of such wisdom, look at verse 18 as we see the fruit of true wisdom. Verse 18 says, “Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” True wisdom produces peace. And James reminds us here that the principle of sowing and reaping holds not only in nature but also in the spiritual life too. If we sow in selfish ambition, in envy, in pride, in rivalry, then we should not be surprised when confusion and destruction follows. But James says when the believer sows righteousness, humility, gentleness, mercy, peace, loving, encouraging, praying for, caring for, forgiving one another. The harvest is altogether different. There is peace among them.

Application and Conclusion

Question. What kind of wisdom governs your home when there’s conflict? What wisdom governs your tongue, your thoughts, your conversations with others? What wisdom governs your ambitions at work, at school? Every day, brothers and sisters, we’re choosing between two wisdoms. One exalts itself and destroys peace. One humbles itself and produces righteousness. One reflects the spirit of the world while the other reflects the spirit and the character of Christ.

Brothers and sisters, if you are anything like me, you can already see places where selfish ambition still clings to your heart. But this is not where the good news leaves us, is it? God does not abandon his people to their foolishness. He always gives grace. He gives hope. James tells us, “He gives grace and wisdom graciously to those who will ask him.”

Perhaps you’re here this morning and you realize that for the most part you’ve been living your life with the wisdom of the world, driven by selfish ambition, rivalries, that there is no peace around you. But then there’s something in you that longs for the real thing. Proverbs tells us where it begins: with the fear of the Lord. But the fear is nothing less than loving God with all your heart, with all your mind, with all your soul, with all your strength. A fear and love that shuns selfish ambition, that recognizes sin for what it is. Rebellion against your creator God. This kind of fear, this kind of love of God turns from sins. It repents and seeks God’s forgiveness.

And so I ask, is this you this morning? Have you been living your life with the wisdom of the world? Do you need to turn and make things right with God? If this is you and you know that you need to make things right with God, friends, I plead with you, make things right with God today. The Bible tells us, “Today is the day of salvation.”

And then to you, my brothers and sisters in Christ, I encourage you, the world will bombard us with many wise words. Ten steps to being wise. I encourage you, pursue true wisdom. Seek it in prayer. Seek it in the word of God. Seek it in humble obedience to God our Savior. And as we grow in our heavenly wisdom together, may this church, Benoni Baptist Church, increasingly become a people marked not by rivalry or pride or selfish ambition. But may we be a people marked by purity, peace, gentleness, mercy, and the likeness of Christ himself.

Amen.