"For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy."
James 3:16-17
Part 1
“For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.”
James, who has been writing to his Jewish brethren who are in the dispersion, wants them to understand the difference between worldly wisdom and God’s wisdom. In verses 14-16, he points to “this wisdom” which is from this world and is sensual and devilish. As opposed to “the wisdom” which comes from the Lord (verse 17). Because we are born as earthlings “this wisdom” from the earth is what we understand and do best. But the results of “this wisdom” are strife, confusion, and every evil work. After salvation, we learned that “the wisdom” is what we need for this life and the next. Let’s take a few minutes to look at the results of working with God’s wisdom.
“But the wisdom that is from above.”
Here are the characteristics of God’s wisdom…
“Is first pure.”
God’s wisdom is pure inside and outside. It is “chaste, holy, and clean”[1] (Clarke). Purity is an essential quality of God, and it’s of little wonder that his wisdom is pure. The believer with God’s wisdom is concerned about virtue, and it instantly begins to work on his mind.
“Then peaceable.”
God’s wisdom loves peace. It helps us to live in harmony with others and to encourage peace among all men. True peace begins with a relationship with God. To know Him provides “the peace of God” in our hearts.
“Let us, therefore, follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another” (Romans 14:19).
“Gentle.”
Gentleness was a quality that could be seen in Jesus as he worked with people, especially with children. This quality is being,
“… gentle, kind, forbearing, considerate, making every allowance for the ignorance and frailties of others, imitating the character of Him who is meek and lowly—‘the gentle Jesus.’” [2]
“To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men” (Titus 3:2).
Come back tomorrow as we learn more qualities that God’s wisdom provides for us.
[1] Adam Clarke, Adam Clarke’s Commentary on the Bible, the electronic version in eSword.
[2] Popular New Testament, A Popular Commentary on the New Testament, the electronic version in eSword.