MENU
Study 3: The Getting of Wisdom
Did you know that sociologists have estimated that the volume of knowledge in the world has doubled:
What an incredible rate! But as much as this knowledge, information and discovery has grown – what of wisdom? Eugene Peterson reminds us that, ‘Wisdom is not primarily knowing the truth, although it certainly includes that; it is ‘skill in living’.. James practically unpacks his brother’s declaration that if his followers ‘live skilfully’, that ‘by this all men will know that you are MY disciples’. (John 13:35)
So how does James encourage us to live skilfully with heavenly-wisdom (Greek: ‘sophia’ / ‘σοφία’) as Jesus-followers?
Read Together
James 3:13-18: (NIV)
Do you want to be counted wise, to build a reputation for wisdom? Here’s what you do: Live well, live wisely, live humbly. It’s the way you live, not the way you talk, that counts. Mean-spirited ambition isn’t wisdom. Boasting that you are wise isn’t wisdom. Twisting the truth to make yourselves sound wise isn’t wisdom. It’s the furthest thing from wisdom—it’s animal cunning, devilish conniving. Whenever you’re trying to look better than others or get the better of others, things fall apart and everyone ends up at the others’ throats. Real wisdom, God’s wisdom, begins with a holy life and is characterized by getting along with others. It is gentle and reasonable, overflowing with mercy and blessings, not hot one day and cold the next, not two-faced. You can develop a healthy, robust community that lives right with God and enjoy its results only if you do the hard work of getting along with each other, treating each other with dignity and honor.
James both warns and encourages us to differentiate between ‘two kinds of wisdom’ – earthly and heavenly. It is critical as Jesus-followers that we discern the difference between them both as we live life.
James 3:13-18 describes two types of wisdom:
| Earthly Wisdom | Heavenly Wisdom |
| ● Appeals to the brokenness of our sinful heart
● Gratifying to our senses – but never-satisfying ● Demonic and comes from evil ● Fixates on ‘here and now’ ● Bitter and envious ● Mean-spirited and ultimately ambitious ● Destroys unity and provokes rivalry |
● Purity
● Peace-loving and promoting ● Considerate and reasonable ● Submissive ● Overflowing with mercy ● Full of ‘good fruit’ ● Impartial ● Sincere |
Loving God – and therefore, ‘living skilfully’ – involves passion (heart and soul), prayer (humility to seek) and intelligence (mindset and convictions transformed by the Holy Spirit). How do we do this?
Explore Further - Leadership Lesson
Wise leaders listen > Look to Acts 15:1-12 when the Early Church was debating whether the Gospel was exclusively for the Jews, or for Jews and Gentiles. James – known in tradition as ‘James the Just’ – listened quietly to both sides. He patiently listened and allowed them to fully express all their opinions, concerns, and arguments. Only after they stop speaking does he respond, and his answer demonstrates his knowledge of the Scriptures; his discernment; and strong, impartial leadership.
Pray Together
Lord, teach me to seek Your heavenly wisdom with all my ‘passion, prayer and intelligence’. Write this passage in my heart and in my mind so I can ‘live skilfully’. Give me a deeper love and understanding of the qualities of heavenly-wisdom – a pure and sincere heart, so I can live a life free of selfishness, envy, and ambition. Make Your glory my heart’s cry in all I say and do. Amen.
Extra Resources
Prepare