This morning we're looking at James’ teaching in James 3:13-18. By now we've observed a familiar pattern in how James writes. In James 1, he says, “If any of you consider yourself a hearer of the word…” and “If any of you consider yourself religious…”. In James 2, “If any of you consider yourself full of faith… mature and complete…” As we come to James 3:13 he asks: “Who among you is wise and understanding?”
The Greek word for wisdom is “Sophia.” Our Lakeside staff team has Sophia Brooks. She's not here this morning (she'd be so embarrassed). Jay and Melani homeschooled their three daughters through a Classical (wisdom-based) form of education. Like her sisters, Sophia stands out among her peers. If you love your children, teach them to follow the way wisdom and understanding!
I saw this Albert Einstein quote. He says, “The person who follows the crowd will usually go no further than the crowd. “The person who walks alone is likely to find himself in places no one has ever seen before.” Isn’t it amazing that a person who unlocked the mysteries of the universe could also understand human nature? But this really is the contrast James paints in James 3:13-18.
There are six verses in our text. Three of them represent a POSITIVE test of whether a person follows the way of true wisdom. James 3:13: “Who among you is wise and understanding? By his good conduct he should show that his works are done in the gentleness that comes from wisdom.” And James 3:17-18: “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without pretense. 18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who cultivate peace.” We will come back to these in a moment.
But then sandwiched between these verses, are three other verses (a NEGATIVE test) that signals something catastrophically amiss in the “would-be” disciple’s life. James 3:14-16: “But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your heart, don’t boast and deny the truth. 15 Such wisdom does not come down from above but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there is disorder and every evil practice.”
How incredibly important are these verses today? In the Roman World you had an elite class of people called “Sophists." They were the Einstein types who would step away from “the crowd” to quietly pursue wisdom and understanding. They loved all wisdom and knowledge—Scientific, Mathematics, Sociological. The Sophists would warn against the passions and whims of the crowd. The crowd, (whether assembled physically or digitally) is rarely a respecter of wisdom!
In Matthew 7:6 Jesus taught, “Don't give what is holy to swine or toss your pearls (i.e. wisdom) before swine.” And why? “They will trample them underfoot, and then turn and tear you to pieces.” What an apt description of our times. The crowd neither understands nor appreciates sacred things. Not only are they hostile toward spiritual wisdom, but they trample wisdom underfoot at every turn. They make wisdom the butt of every joke. Like wild boars, they turn on the wise and tear them to pieces… all with a smirk on their face… all the while congratulating themselves with Emmys, Grammys, Pulitzers and other such awards.
In Matthew 7:13 Jesus warns, “…For the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who go through it.” The person who follows the crowd will usually go no further than the crowd. Even worse, they’re in danger of sharing the same destiny as the crowd. We need to be a people who learn to turn away from the crowd and follow the way of wisdom! When I consider the larger pop culture and its influencers, does their “fruit” justify their outsized influence our lives? The crowd celebrates the least common-denominator person among them. It’s a race to the bottom.
Einstein mentions how, “The person who walks alone is likely to find himself in places no one has ever seen before.” One of my favorite Leadership Books is called Leadership on the Line. The author says its critical leaders learn to “get off the dance floor and unto the balcony.” It’s not when we’re caught up in the crowd, but when we’re up on the balcony, that we gain wisdom and perspective!
In the gospels Jesus so often retreated to quiet, lonely places. He retreated to the wilderness, to gardens, and mountainsides. He'd escape the crowds on a small boat. He’d retreat through the night or arise at an early hour. And it’s in these spaces, Jesus taught the Twelve to find life by abiding in his love, and keeping his commands. Ironically, modern churches love to play to crowds. Church leaders boast that they will do most anything short of sin to attract a crowd. But Jesus’ approach was to call would-be disciples “out of” or “away from" the crowd.
The sophists offered their share of social commentary. They knew the dangers of crowds, the nature and danger of politics, tribalism, group think… the perils of selfish ambition. By way of critique… the Sophists prided themselves in being “pure rationalists.” In reality, they pursued wisdom the only way they knew how—through pure “reason alone.” They were keen observers. They wrote extensively about everything from physical and emotional health, investing wisely, relating to people effectively, even coping with dying and reality of death.
What James proposes (more profoundly) is that we seek wisdom “from above.” That we be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger—and plant God's Word in our hearts. That we gain true understanding by looking long and hard in the mirror of God's Word. James says God graciously gives wisdom to anyone who asks sincerely. And such wisdom--every good and perfect gift—falls from the Father of Lights who doesn't change like shifting shadows (crowds).
God's wisdom isn't anti-intellectual, irrational, or illogical. It's transcendent. It supersedes, elevates, and advantages our life in every way. God’s wisdom is even powerful to save our soul. The Sophists never found any “soul-saving” wisdom. Their rationalism, scientism, philosophy could only reach so high before it would fail them. But the Wisdom of God (Revelation) (which descends from God Himself), never fails. Such wisdom ought to permeate and order our whole life!
How much time do we really need to talk about James 3:14-16? “But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your heart, don’t boast and deny the truth. 15 Such wisdom does not come down from above but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there is disorder and every evil practice.”
For some reason the phrase “Crazy Train” entered my mind when I read these verses. Imagine you find yourself all aboard an Amtrak Train speeding toward Chicago. Of all places, you find yourself crammed in a booth, around a tiny table, people all around you. But soon enough you realize this isn't any ordinary train. Somehow, you've boarded the crazy train.
Every train has a locomotive. The crazy train is powered by bitter envy and selfish ambition. And every crazy train has a conductor, and crazy passengers. Boarding the crazy train might be as simple as walking into work, or to school one day. It might be as simple as sitting down during breaktime, or in cafeteria. It might be as simple as turning on cable news, checking your social media feed, sitting among relatives during the holidays. How many times in a given day do you realize people aren't okay! They’re thinking isn’t right. Why is it that the crowd always clamors after that lowest common denominator person?
The wise and understanding person may as well be a purple unicorn—but that is who we are to be—unlike everyone else! I think James is describing the spirit of every age (not just his and not just ours). You can take these verses apart phrase by phrase just as good as I can.
Bitter envy? Do you ever notice how bitterly unhappy people are? Envious? Jealous? Covetous of what others have versus what I don’t have. God hasn’t been good to me. Woe is me. Selfish-Ambition? Each one looking out to the interest of self not that of others, especially not that of Jesus Christ? We watch the news in total horror—the lengths a person will go to sell their own soul, the soul of future generations, and the soul of our nation?
Boasting? Denying the Truth? Who among you are wise and understanding? The first to raise their hands are those doing the most damage! The loudest, proudest, most boastful voices are also the most destructive. There is no self-awareness there, no reflection, no accountability, no truth there. Just doubling down on lies and self-deception. Overconfidence. James is describing people who are so blinded by zeal, they stand poised to attack anyone who dares think differently. He describes a person who will sacrifice the truth to defend their ego, their political tribe, their personal ego, … to hide their shadowy ambitions.
Look at this triad: Such “Wisdom” is earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. And James damming verdict: James 3:16 For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there is disorder and every evil practice. Every crazy train is headed down a one-way track toward destruction. It makes me think of Galatians 5:19-21, “Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” If you follow the crowd, you don’t end much further than the crowd. Are we, the Church, trying to be too much like the world?
So how ought we as Christians, as Salt and Light, conduct ourselves? James 3:13, “Who among you is wise and understanding? By his good conduct he should show that his works are done in the gentleness that comes from wisdom.” And James 3:17-18, “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without pretense. 18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who cultivate peace.”
The root of peace is gentleness. The root of gentleness is righteousness. The root of righteousness is wisdom. The root of wisdom is the not pure rationalism but pure revelation… the Word of God which is God’s gift that descends from above, that God Father of Lights gives generously without finding fault. The list of virtues James lists are in such short supply today!
• Wisdom is “first of all” pure. Remember how James said, if you are truly religious, get rid of the moral filth, to keep oneself from being stained or polluted by the world? If deepest motives and desires of the heart aren’t pure; nothing good results.
• Wisdom is peace-loving. Jesus said blessed are the peace-makers, for they will be called sons of God. Peace doesn’t just happen—it has to be “made.” God called us to help reconcile all things to himself. How do we do that if we’re blowing up relationships? In James 3:18 it says peace has to be “sown” like a seed. A “harvest of righteousness” is sown in peace by those who “make” peace.”
• Wisdom is meek and gentle. I know meek rhymes with weak. But the essence of gentleness is “power” under control. Think of a mighty beast like a horse, or even a Rhino or Elephant. If such power goes on a rampage, everyone dives for cover. But gentleness is power is under control of God’s Holy Spirit.
• Wisdom is compliant. To be compliant is to be open to reason, it’s to be “persuadable.” This doesn’t mean easily or quickly. But to be compliant is to have humility to be corrected, to be wrong, to be changeable, to let go of lies and embrace the truth. Wisdom has eyes to see, ears to hear, and a heart to receive truth. Wisdom doesn’t double down on foolishness.
• Wisdom is full of mercy and grace. The goal isn’t to win at every expense. The goal is to win over our enemies, to be reconciled to God and one another.
• Wisdom is full of good fruits. Galatians 5:22-25, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The law is not against such things. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.”
• Wisdom is Unwavering. This is critical. Where do we stand? Not with this faction, or that faction. Not with this division or camp or party. Wisdom is impartial and completely unprejudiced. Wisdom stands unwavering with God, in the fullness of grace and truth.
• Wisdom is without Pretense. Wisdom isn’t driven by pride or ego, nor concern for appearance at all. Wisdom doesn’t seek to be liked, loved, admired, adored. Wisdom is genuine, sincere, authentic.
• Wisdom produces Understanding; Understanding produces Gentleness; Gentleness produces Peace.
• Wisdom originates from above. It is not earthly but divine. It is not unspiritual, but a fruit produced by God’s Holy Spirit. It is not demonic, but of Christ.
• Wisdom doesn’t exacerbate problems, it solves problems. It doesn’t escalate hostilities, it dissipates them. It doesn’t just save your soul or mine, it can save generations, it can save entire nations.
James’ call is that we would stand faithfully, and with unwavering resolve, sowing peace proactively, everywhere. In our marriages and families. In public and private spaces. In sacred spaces. He calls us to trust wisdom to bear its fruit in God’s time.