James 3:17 – 18
True wisdom has its origin in Jesus Christ. It comes down from Heaven and is God’s gift to every believer who requests it.
James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
The Primary Attribute (or essence) of Heavenly Wisdom: “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure,”
It is the first of seven words or phrases James uses to describe heavenly wisdom.
Pure is a synonym for holy. The wisdom that comes from God is pure because God himself is pure or holy. Holiness is God’s primary attribute.
1 Pet 1:16 The scripture says, “Be ye holy; for I am holy.”
Pure indicates that which is immaculate, undefiled, and without any admixture. It’s not mingled or mixed. It is the original. You cannot dilute, defile, destroy, or in any other way, detract from God’s wisdom. Purity is just like light. When light enters a room, it dispels the darkness, but itself cannot be influenced by the darkness. In the same way, heavenly wisdom enters this sinful world but is not affected by it.
**Mix in the slightest bit of man’s wisdom, and you have changed the formula. It is no longer wisdom and not of God.
**Add the slightest error to truth, and it is no longer a truth.
We can group the remaining six characteristics into the following three categories.
- The Attitude of Heavenly Wisdom
- Peaceable
Prov 3:17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.
Rom 12:18 “If possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.”
- Gentle
It is characterized by consideration. It gathers all the facts before giving his opinion.
Phil 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
Phil 4:5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
- Easy to be intreated
Submissiveness of character. Always ready to listen, open to suggestions, opinions, and correction of others. Not “My way or the Highway!”
- The Actions of Heavenly Wisdom
- Full of mercy
Mat 5:7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
We show mercy to needy people who do not deserve it; otherwise, it would not be mercy.
- Full of good fruits
Gal 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Eph. 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
- What is Absent in Heavenly Wisdom?
- Without partiality
This topic is discussed in detail in the first part of chapter 2. A wise person does not take sides in a dispute when he serves as an arbitrator. He can avoid becoming personally involved and showing favoritism.
- Without hypocrisy
He is sincere. There are no hidden agendas or motives in the judgment a wise person renders.
Romans 12:9 Let love be without dissimulation (to be an actor on a stage). Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
The Altitude of Heavenly Wisdom vs.18
What we mean by this last point is that which, in the final analysis, separates heavenly wisdom from its earthly counterfeit. True wisdom soars above. The difference is the same as the difference between a snail’s view and the view from a jet airliner.
That which is sown and reaped is righteousness. And righteousness is both sown and reaped in peace. The world is looking for peace without righteousness. But true peace comes through character.
Isa 32:17 And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance forever.
Heb 12:11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.
We certainly desire peace, but we must not seek it at any price. We must not compromise doctrinal truth or set aside scriptural rules of conduct to achieve peace.
A day will come according to Psalm 85:10 when “Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.”
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