The Two Wisdoms | Sermon 05/22/2022

James 3:13-18

James begins his discourse on wisdom with an invitation to anyone in the church who thinks they have great insight on spiritual matters and biblical knowledge. As if to say, “Come let us examine your claims!” James demonstrates as he did with true faith that true wisdom results in obedience to God through works and humility.

The opposite of having humble wisdom is a kind of wisdom that is bitterly jealous and selfishly ambition; one considers themself being the source of wisdom despite James saying in 1:5 it comes from God. They must create lies to believe rather than the truth. Such false wisdom is earthly in nature, fleshly not spiritual in essence, and demonic in origin. Where this faux wisdom of man persists so does disorder and evil; like the kind Miriam used when she was jealous of Moses then punished by God.

James then defines the wisdom from above which are characteristics that Christ Himself possessed. To be truly wise to is emulate our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The righteous life isn’t sown by earthly and demonic wisdom but from the heavenly wisdom that God’s peacemakers possess thereby bringing a harvest of peace.