True and False Wisdom

In James 3, we are presented with a contrast between two types of wisdom: earthly wisdom and heavenly wisdom. Earthly wisdom is characterized by bitterness, jealousy, and selfish ambition. It leads to disorder, strife, and every vile practice. Heavenly wisdom, on the other hand, is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial, and sincere. It produces a harvest of righteousness sown in peace. The passage begins with a question: "Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom." (James 3:13) This question challenges us to consider whether our own lives reflect true wisdom. Are we living in a way that is characterized by purity, peace, gentleness, openness to reason, mercy, impartiality, and sincerity? Or are we being influenced by the bitterness, jealousy, and selfish ambition of earthly wisdom? The passage goes on to describe the negative consequences of earthly wisdom: "For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice." (James 3:16) When we are driven by these destructive passions, we create chaos and division in our relationships and communities. We become quick to anger, slow to forgive, and prone to gossip and slander. In contrast, heavenly wisdom produces a harvest of righteousness sown in peace. (James 3:18) When we seek after and cultivate this wisdom, we become peacemakers, sowers of righteousness, and instruments of God's love in the world. The message of James 3 is clear: we must choose wisely. We must reject the earthly wisdom that leads to disorder and destruction, and embrace the heavenly wisdom that produces a harvest of righteousness and peace.