Two Kinds of Wisdom

There is a huge difference between knowledge and wisdom. I know many people who are smart in knowledge and facts. These people know things about technology, they have scientific knowledge, business knowledge, and even theological knowledge, but they have no ability to know how to live in the real world in relationship to God.

Wisdom is taking the truth of God and living that out in everyday life and everyday relationships.

James talks about two kinds of wisdom in James 3:13-18.

James 3:13

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in humility that comes from wisdom.

#1: Real wisdom and true understanding will be seen in deeds done

      motivated by humility.

God makes it very clear in His Word that He honors those who humble themselves before His authority and rule. It makes sense that true wisdom would be seen in actions that are motivated by that humility.

True humility is not putting yourself down. It is exalting Jesus to His proper place as the absolute and only Lord of your life.

Psalm 111:10 says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow His precepts have good understanding. To Him belongs eternal praise.”

Wisdom comes from having an awe of God as Lord (absolute ruler) and understanding comes by obeying God as Lord.

Raise the Roof and Remove the Walls is humbling yourself under God’s authority as Lord and walking in His wisdom.

James 3:14

But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts do not boast about it or deny the truth.

#2: Fake wisdom will be seen in bitter envy and selfish ambition.  

Just as much as God’s Word makes clear that God honors humility, it also makes clear that He opposes pride.

James says that if our lives are characterized by bitter envy and selfish ambition, we are not to boast about it or deny it. These characteristics don’t demonstrate a life humbled before God.

In 1 Peter 5:5 Peter reminds us that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. Bitter envy and selfish ambition are pride. It is desiring things for yourself and not caring how you get those things or who it may injure.   

I don’t ever want to do things that will put me in a position to be in opposition to God. I don’t ever want to live in opposition to God’s character or His truth.

Raise the Roof and Remove the Walls is allowing God to form His character in you.

James 3:15

Such “wisdom” does not come from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil.

#3: True wisdom is always compatible with God’s character.

Wisdom that produces bitter envy and selfish ambition is not from God; it is from the devil.

In Isaiah 14:12-15 we are given a description of Satan. In this description Satan says five times that “I will”. Five times Satan says that he will take God’s place as Lord. Now that is pride!

But when we allow our lives to be driven by bitter envy and selfish ambition then we are telling God that life is about my will, not God’s will. We are saying to God, “I want to be Lord over my own life.” That desire comes not from God, but from Satan.

Raise the Roof and Remove the Walls is seeking God’s will, not my will.

James 3:16

For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.  

#4: This wisdom that comes from the devil leads to disorder and evil.

1 Corinthians 14:33 says that God is not a God of disorder but of peace.

God does not bring disorder, He brings unity. This wisdom that James is referring to here brings disorder or disunity and thus it cannot be of God.

1 Peter 2:22 says that Jesus committed no sin and no deceit was found in His mouth.

Evil can never come from God. Anything that is connected with God will never lead us into sin or evil.

God’s wisdom will always lead us into unity and righteousness.

Raise the Roof and Remove the Walls is experiencing oneness with God and living in His righteousness.

James 3:17

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of merciful and good fruit, impartial and sincere.

#5: God’s wisdom produces godly character in us.

James describes wisdom that comes from God as:

Pure – wisdom that has no impurities

Peace-Loving – wisdom that always promotes peace

Considerate – wisdom that is concerned about others

Submissive – wisdom that leads to being humbled before God

Full of Mercy – wisdom that extends mercy

Good Fruit – wisdom that leads to the production of the character of Jesus

Impartial – wisdom that does not judge others

Sincere – wisdom that is honest and open

When we experience these characteristics, we know that the wisdom is from God.

Raise the Roof and Remove the Walls is letting God’s wisdom produce the character of Jesus in us.

James 3:18

Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.

#6: God’s wisdom makes us peacemakers and that produces in us a

rightness with God.

Wisdom from the devil produces disorder and evil, but wisdom from God produces peace and righteousness.

Matthew 5:9 says, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.”

When we have peace with God, we become peacemakers. The results are:

Being children of God

Living in right relationship with God

Living in right relationship with others

Raise the Roof and Remove the Walls is experiencing the peace of God and living out the righteousness of God.

There are two kinds of wisdom:

Wisdom from the devil

Wisdom from God

We choose which wisdom we will seek and experience. The kind of wisdom we choose will determine what our lives will look like.

In Godly Wisdom Raising the Roof and Removing the Walls,

                                         Joe