James exhorted. . .
“(17) But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.” (James 3:17 ESV)
The wisdom of the world is made up of a mixture of all kinds of ideas. And, in the world’s wisdom, there seems to be a blindness to the fact it does not all fit together. For everyone to have their so called “own truth” cannot help but bring lives into conflict. Human wisdom often leads into sin. God’s wisdom, however, leads to pure living!
God’s wisdom is not just intellectual, but it is also moral. Please note (especially the young reading this focus) this next point of contrast between the wisdom of the world and that which is from Heaven. The world focuses on “feelings” rather than “fidelity” and it does not take much investigation to see how our society is reaping the consequences of that wisdom. Divorce and broken homes, teen pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, etc., are propagated through the advice of the world. The world says, “You deserve to be happy, so don’t let anything get in your way of happiness.” Then the anguish such wisdom has brought to individuals in our society is either covered up or denied. Though the world urges the following of the heart, we must remember the heart (feelings) can be deceptive. (note Jeremiah 17:9) The heart must be properly nourished in accord with God’s wisdom to properly guide.
The wisdom from above is above humanity’s because it is “first pure”. It is pure because the source is holy and pure! How can humanity, in its impurity, come up with pure wisdom on its own? God’s wisdom is not gained through our discussion with the world. His pure wisdom is a gift from Heaven revealed to us through the example of the Son and the teachings of God’s Holy Word. God’s wisdom is free from anything that would lead us into error. It is wisdom that brings holiness to every aspect of our being.
W. E. Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words defines the word used by James here as signifying “pure from every fault.” If there were no fault with worldly wisdom, our world would be becoming a better place. However, changes to lives will not take place until the pure and faultless wisdom of God is acknowledged and followed. It we want it, James exhorted for us to ask, and God will provide. However, the asking is to be done in faith. (James 1:5-6)
God, the Author and Creator of life, knows what is needed most to bring blessing to our life. Let us trust Him as we live our life according to His pure wisdom!
Have a great day LIVING PURELY BY GOD’S WISDOM!
Carl
