“Who Is Wise And Understanding Among You?”

by Pastor Mark
April 11, 2024

A person who is wise and understanding

The Apostle James raised a vital question for all to consider, “Who is wise and understanding among you?” (James 3:13) Many tend to assume that they are wise and understanding. James had to help the brethren to determine who was truly wise and understanding.

The word “wise” (sophos) is a general word to describe the wise. The word “understanding” (epistēmōn) refers to expert knowledge with a deep understanding that has been carefully learnt. This man would reflect genuine faith through his wisdom and understanding and he stands in contrast to someone with the wrong/false kind of wisdom. There are two types of wisdom and they are different. Some claimed to have true wisdom but were displaying false wisdom. The display of wisdom through their lifestyle would have differentiated them.

A tree is known by its fruit

  1. The Lord Jesus taught that we could know a tree by its fruits (Matthew 7:16).
  2. A good tree will bear good fruits (Matthew 7:17).
  3. A bad tree will bear bad fruits (Matthew 7:17).
  4. The fruits of the tree are a clear and certain indicator of what type of tree anyone is.
  5. The challenge is to discern who is wise and understanding, or not, by their fruits.

The problem of displaying fruits of worldly wisdom

“But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth.” (James 3:14)

How would we know that we are displaying false wisdom?

  1. Bitter envy…There is envy for the wrong things and deep-seated bitterness sets in when we don’t have what we want.
  2. Self-seeking hearts…Looking out for our selfish interests and ambitions causes strife with others.
  3. Boastful…Pride is displayed as we seek to give glory to ourselves.
  4. Lying against the truth…The sin of lying is standing against the truth.

Source of false wisdom

“This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic.” (James 3:15)

Where does such wisdom come from?

  1. Not from above…This is wisdom that is not from God…it is not God’s kind of wisdom. The wisdom of God is not associated with “bitter envy” and “self-seeking”.
  2. Earthly…This wisdom is from the earth as it is worldly wisdom.
  3. Sensual…James used the word “psychikos” which in this context refers to that which is natural…natural human wisdom, which is the opposite of spiritual wisdom.
  4. Demonic…False wisdom actually comes from demons and they are evil in nature.

Result of worldly wisdom

“For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.” (James 3:16)

False wisdom will result in confusion among the brethren. The church would have disorder and its unity would be badly affected. Such worldly wisdom would result in every evil thing. This demonic wisdom will affect everything in our life and ministry. The challenge is to be wise and understanding.

Let us be challenged to discern between heavenly wisdom and worldly wisdom. Let us be challenged to guard against worldly wisdom and pursue heavenly wisdom.

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