Two Kinds of Wisdom Compared

"Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hears, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such wisdom does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness." (James 3:13-18, NIV)

James speaks very clearly in this passage on the two kinds of wisdom: that which is earthly and of the devil and that which is heavenly and of God. If we make parallel columns-left and right-and list the characteristics of each type of wisdom, we should see how easily we want to choose and work toward godly wisdom and the fruit it bears:

Earthly (devlish)wisdom			Heavenly (godly)wisdom
bitterness			purity
envy			peace-loving
selfish ambition			consideration of others
disorder			submission (to God)
			mercifulness
			bearing good fruit
			impartiality
			sincerity
			righteousness

The chart gives a visual of wisdom in its two aspects. How quickly we want the virtues and way of life represented by the right column. Godly wisdom saturates life with characteristics that lead to right living, good relationships, and "a harvest of righteousness." But we have to make the personal choice to follow this way of wisdom and then pray that God will keep us on task in producing these characteristics. Fruits of godly wisdom can be seen on a personal basis as we relate rightly to others in our daily dealings. Fruits of godly wisdom need to be evidenced in how our leaders bear up under pressure and seek godly wisdom. As I was thinking on these verses and praying about what to write, I received an e-mail (not so complimentary of our national leaders) on why we should get out and vote to bring about a change. I agree with the sentiment and the responsibility we have to exercise our right to vote and make our voice heard in government. Think what a difference we can make if we spend time praying earnestly for our leaders to seek godly wisdom. "Wisdom is God's will in action, not human knowledge in competition." (William M. Pinson, Jr.)

c Ethelene Dyer Jones; Wednesday, October 20, 2010