TWO WISDOMS

Proverbs 4:7
Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.

© CreationSwap/Megan Watson 2012

The Bible tells us that wisdom is the principal thing and we are commanded to get it! According to Dr. Brian Bailey:

Wisdom is defined as the ability to live life in a manner that manifests the nature and purpose of God (14).

It is the capacity to make right choices both in the little and big decisions in life. It is also manifested in good conduct. James 3 tells us that wisdom is manifested in good conduct. Therefore, wisdom is more than just intellectual capacity. It is behavior.

James 3:13
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom.

Wisdom determines whether we are saved and whether we reach the fullness of God’s purposes for our lives or not. I remember a preacher once said that fools go to hell but it is the wise who go to heaven. Thus, wisdom determines our eternal destiny.

However, just as important as getting wisdom is taking the right one. For there are two kinds of wisdom according to the Book of James.

James 3:14-18
But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

James distinguishes from the heavenly wisdom and the wisdom of this world. Let us now look at the wisdom of the world.

James 3 tells us that there is a wisdom that is a product of envy and self-seeking motives. Envy is wanting what others have. It is also a fear of being replaced by another and the unhappiness and ill-will over something desirable others may have (Caram 55). When we cannot be happy for others' victories or blessings and covet what they have, we have envy. Envy is triggered by the things we see in others fused with a lack of contentment of what we have. Men can envy others in their material possessions, achievements, career growth, spiritual growth, influence, talents, relationships, callings, among others.

On the other hand, self-seeking motives are those that advance our interest over God and others. Such motives are intended to glorify and satisfy the self.

These two are both issues of the heart. And as the Apostle James explains to us, these heart issues produce a wisdom. That means that man can make decisions in life born out of envy and self-seeking motives. It also means that our behavior or actions can be driven by envy and self-seeking motives.

What kind of wisdom do they produce? James 3:15 says they produce wisdom that is earthly, sensual and demonic. This means that envy and self-seeking will produce in man decisions and behavior that are carnal, given over to passions and appetites, and are under the influence or control of the enemy.

On the other hand, heavenly wisdom is said to bring forth good conduct as it is a result of meekness. James 3:17 outlines for us the characteristics of heavenly wisdom. This wisdom is the very wisdom of God. He who has this kind of wisdom reflects the Lord.

James 3:17
But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.

1. Pure. It starts out with pure. It is notable that the verse separated purity from the rest of the characteristics by highlighting that it is the first. While the rest can be evident in our actions, purity is really a matter of the heart. For wisdom, meaning behavior or decision, to truly be from the Lord, it has to first and foremost be a product of a right heart. As envy and self-seeking are issues of the heart that promote self, purity is a matter of the heart that exalts God and promotes others’ interest. The rest of the characteristics of true wisdom cannot stand without purity. What is purity? Purity is being blameless in the area of morals as well as in motives. And purity of heart is something that needs to always be kept in check because along the way it can be lost. 
2. Peaceable. Heavenly wisdom is also peaceable. Envy and self-seeking produce conflict. But heavenly wisdom produces peace. He who is self-seeking wants to be proven right. He who is peaceable wants to bring reconciliation.
3. Gentle. Heavenly wisdom is gentle. Gentleness is seen in our speech and actions. It is patiently caring for those who are weak or still young. When we care for newborn children, we are very careful with them because we realize their fragility and inability to make it on their own. We have to do the same in the spiritual. In our dealings with others, especially those who are still young in the faith, we have to be understanding of their fragility and vulnerability. Gentleness is not staying silent when someone has done something wrong. Gentleness is patiently and carefully helping others see where they have been mistaken and how they can get up.
4. Willing to yield. Willing to yield is to be willing to let go of your preferences and rights for the sake of others. How much are we holding on to our preferences? How much are we willing to let go of our rights? How much are we willing to let go of “our way” and allow matters to be handled “others’ way”? We need to be flexible. 
5. Full of mercy and good fruits. Full of mercy and good fruits is being able to forgive, forget and overlook another’s mistake. Can we let others’ wrongdoings pass? Also, true wisdom will translate to behaviors and decisions that will look after the needs of those who are poor and needy. Mercy is not just a feeling. Mercy calls for action.
6. Without partiality. Without partiality is to show no favorites. It is to treat everyone with love and respect regardless of their status in life, people skills, or commonality with us. It is quite comfortable to simply relate with those whom we share a lot in common with or those whom we like. To be without partiality requires going out of our comfort zone and reaching out to those who may be very different from us. The true church will reflect this aspect of wisdom. It is one that can show love and care for people coming from all walks of life and culture.
7. Without hypocrisy. Without hypocrisy is to live a singular life. It is being the same person at home as you are outside the home. It is being the same person as you say you are. It is not putting up a front to promote an image. It is living out who we say we are - Christians. It is living out not only parts of the Scripture but its entirety.

This is the wisdom that comes from above. In our daily lives, it is helpful to use these characteristics as the measure of our behaviors and decisions. Is my decision born out of a pure heart? Have I been gentle? Peaceable? Etc. If we have these characteristics, wisdom shall be our way of life.

The next question then is how do we receive true wisdom? James 1:5-8 reveals to us how.

James 1:5-8
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

Heavenly wisdom is from God so we ought to ask it from Him. And when we ask we must do so in faith. We must believe that God is able to overcome envy and our self-seeking ways and that He is able to impart His nature upon us.

There was a man in the Scripture who asked for wisdom and was given it. When Solomon became king of Israel, the Lord appeared to him and said “Ask! What shall I give you?” In a moment of open heaven, Solomon asked for one thing.

1 Kings 3:7-9
Now, O Lord my God, You have made Your servant king instead of my father David, but I am a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. And Your servant is in the midst of Your people whom You have chosen, a great people, too numerous to be numbered or counted. Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?

1 Kings 4:29-30
And God gave Solomon wisdom and exceedingly great understanding, and largeness of heart like the sand on the seashore. Thus Solomon’s wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the men of the East and all the wisdom of Egypt.

As the Apostle James told us, when we ask for wisdom in faith, God will give it. The Lord granted Solomon’s request. With Solomon we can see how God was pleased with his request and gave him much wisdom and everything else that he did not ask for. The Lord is pleased when we ask for wisdom. But we cannot simply ask, we must ask believing that He is able to grant it to us. How many of us ask for wisdom from God with such a confidence in the Lord? May we all learn to honor God by asking for wisdom in faith.

References:

Bailey, Brian. The Two Wisdoms - The Epistle of James. New York: Zion Christian Publishers, 2014. E-copy.

Bailey, Brian. Victory Over the Self-Centered Life. New York: Zion Christian Publications, 1998. E-copy.