The Two Kinds of Wisdom

Jim ButlerJames 3:13–18

James 3:13–18 sets before the reader two mutually exclusive wisdoms — one descending from above, the other rooted in what is earthly, natural, and demonic. The sermon works through the origin, characteristics, and results of each wisdom, showing that demonic wisdom is marked by bitter envy and selfish ambition, producing confusion and every evil thing in the church, while heavenly wisdom is pure, peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy, impartial, and sincere, producing a harvest of righteousness among peacemakers. The connection between James's account of wisdom and Christ's Beatitudes in Matthew 5 is drawn out at length, grounding the call to meekness and purity in the character of Christ himself. Hearers are exhorted to examine their own hearts, confess the vices James condemns, and ask God — who gives wisdom liberally to all who ask — for the heavenly wisdom that alone produces peace and righteousness in the church.