James 3:13-18, Part 1

[Hidden In Him]

Wisdom From God Is Spiritually Pure, And Full Of Good Fruits, Part 1

When our wisdom is truly pure, it will produce spiritual fruit that is enjoyable for others to hear and receive, and brings pleasure, just like delicious fruit that we find on fruit trees and count ourselves blessed to be able to partake of. Such wisdom is produced from the Holy Spirit inside a person. It is the opposite of allowing evil spirits to fill our tongues with death-dealing poison, as James said in our previous study, or let strife potentially set an entire congregation on fire like Gehenna. Wisdom from above brought spiritual Life, by producing the fruit of Love, Peace, Joy, Patience, Kindness, Gentleness, Goodness, and all the other fruit of the Spirit that a church of the Lord Jesus Christ was supposed to be characterized by and openly manifest. As James would now teach, wisdom that was truly from above would be "full of mercy and good fruits," so it was the kind of wisdom they needed to be listening for, and seeking out like good fruit.

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him demonstrate from good behavior his works through the meekness of wisdom… for wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peaceable, forbearing, yielding, full of mercy and good fruits, non-discriminating, and non-hypocritical. And the fruit of righteousness is being sown in peace by those making peace. (James 3:13, 17-18)

Earlier, James had taught that wisdom from above was like Light coming down from the Father out of Heaven; Light that was now producing "first fruits" in the earth. But some had now begun speaking wisdom that was "earthly, soulish, and demonic," meaning it had been contaminated by worldliness, personal lusts, and demonic influence. Such "wisdom" would never bring the kind of true change God was after in His children, for it simply made excuses for sin. "Wisdom" like what the Pharisees were teaching justified walking in bitterness, strife, contentiousness, condemnation, disdain for others, self-superiority, and a whole list of other things entirely unbecoming of true children of God. These would need to be removed from the human heart, for as Jesus said, the children of God were instead to be perfect, even as their heavenly Father was perfect:

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in Heaven, for so persecuted they the prophets who came before you... You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who despitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. For He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain upon the just and the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? Therefore you shall be perfect, even as your Father in Heaven is perfect. (Mathew 5:10-12, 43-48)

By this, He did not mean they needed to attain to sinless perfection but rather simply hold to godly standards, and not make excuses for their sins like the scribes and Pharisees were doing. It meant not letting the sun go down on their wrath but maintaining a heart of love even towards their enemies when reviled, spoken evil of, or threatened physically. The Lord wanted them to "rejoice and be exceedingly glad" when they suffered mistreatment and walk in patient endurance instead.

This was the same thing James was teaching when he said "Rejoice when you fall into various trials, knowing that the proving of your faith builds up endurance." Like Love, the body of Christ was supposed to be characterized by rejoicing, and this would be reflected in the words they spoke. Instead of containing "bitterness," their words and their wisdom were to be "full of mercy and good fruits," and like good fruit manifest a Spirit of Love, Joy and Peace.


A Spirit Of Peace Vs Contentiousness

In his opening statements, James stated that "Wisdom from above is first of all pure, and then peaceable," and that a wise man would demonstrate it through the "meekness of wisdom." By peaceable, James meant that wisdom from above was never deliberately intended to cause strife. Rather it would always be spoken with a peaceful intent, and with the hopes of it being easily received. This was again something Jesus taught before him. Several of the beatitudes centered on these themes, and urged believers to walk in meekness, mercy and purity of heart while always seeking to be a peacemaker with their fellow man:

Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. (Matthew 5:5-9)

Some interpret the word "peacemaker" here to mean someone who played the role of a diplomat, and brought contentious parties together and reconciled them. But this was likely not His primarily point. In light of teachings like those here in James, a "peacemaker" was someone who himself sought peace with others instead of strife, and thus would make every effort to avoid contention whenever possible, but seek peace and reconciliation instead.

The apostle Paul likewise taught the importance of seeking peace and pursuing it (Psalm 34:11-16), and to this end stressed that believers should not be eating meats sacrificed to idols. It caused strife and concern, and as such nullified the good many were otherwise doing by undermining peace amongst the brethren:

If on account of food your brother is grieved, you no longer walk in keeping with love. Do not destroy one for whom Christ died through your food, and do not let your good be spoken evil of because of it, for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking but righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. The one who serves Christ in this is well-pleasing to God and approved of men. So we pursue the things that foster peace then, and the things which edify one another. Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. (Romans 14:15-20)

This passage reveals clearly what they were aiming for during New Testament times; Righteousness, Peace and Joy in the Holy Spirit. Church services and gatherings were to be an experience of the Holy Spirit together, for the kingdom of God was "not eating and drinking" but pursuing edification together in the things of God, which would bring great Joy, Love and Peace. And maintaining that Peace was regarded as very important. Jesus said that His words were Spirit and Life, so the objective was to stir up the Spirit of God and fan it into flame by allowing the Holy Spirit to speak and act through them. But the opposite would take place if strife and contentiousness took hold, for the Spirit of God would increasingly become grieved and extinguished among them if an evil spirit gained the rule over them instead. This why the apostle Paul stressed not giving place to the Devil, but maintaining a Spirit of Peace together in the bond of unity.

I urge you therefore, as a prisoner of Christ, to walk worthily of the calling with which you were called, in all humility and meekness bearing with one another in love with all endurance, being eager to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace... Be angry yet sin not. Do not let the sun go down on your anger, nor give place to the Devil... And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God by which you were sealed until the Day of redemption, but let all bitterness and indignation and wrath and shouting and slander be removed from you, together with all malice. (Ephesians 4:1-3, 26-27, 29-31)

 

[Hidden In Him]

To combat the plan of God, unclean and impure spirits were continually seeking to inject venomous "wisdom" into congregations that would justify contention and strife, knowing that they could achieve victory over God's people if the Holy Spirit - a Spirit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness and meekness - were replaced and overcome by a spirit of bitterness. So the principle task for believers was to make sure the Spirit of God was not quenched among them but stirred up instead. And maintaining it would be required by allowing the Holy Spirit to "arbitrate" among them, or in other words keep peace among them by reminding them to walk in love and forbearance one towards another. It kept the door open for sharing the teachings, wisdom and admonitions of the Living God with one another during meetings, and letting these teachings "dwell within them richly."

Put on therefore, as the chosen of God, holy and beloved, bowels of compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, long-suffering... and let the peace of God arbitrate within your hearts, unto the which you were also called in one body, and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell within you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts unto the Lord. (Colossians 3:12, 15-16)


A Spirit Of Consideration Vs Belligerence

Should the word of God be discussed amongst congregations the way it was during New Testament times? Absolutely, for it produces great joy of the Spirit when we can all share together in what the Holy Spirit is showing each of us in turn, and all can benefit as a result. The apostles were certainly giving extended teachings when present, but normally the ministry of the word was corporate, and when all believers were sharing in the ministry of the word and the Spirit, it made everyone feel as though they were a part of what God was doing in their midst. It's what led the apostle Paul to tell the Corinthians the following regarding the diversity of the gifts.

There are diversities of executions, but it is the same God executing them all within all. And there is being given unto each a manifestation of the Spirit to be of benefit. For to one the word of wisdom is being given by the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to a different one faith in the One Spirit, yet to another gifts of healings... For by One Spirit we were also baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or freemen, and we were all made to drink one Spirit... And the eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of you." Or again, the head cannot say to the feet, "I have no need of you." But rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are greatly necessary. And those members of the body we suppose to be more dishonorable, upon these we bestow a more abundant honor, and those among us who are disrespectable have a more abundant respectability, while our respectable members have no need. But God has integrated the body together, having given more honor unto those who are inferior, that there might be no divisions in the body, but that the members might show the same concern for one another. (1 Corinthians 12:6-9, 13, 21-25)

The days are coming when congregational participation in the sharing of God's word together will return, for as persecution increases and times get harder to manage financially, larger churches will begin closing their doors, and home churches and Bible study groups will once again become the dominant form of Christian meeting, not just in regions around the world but even in the West as well.

In light of this, another term James used will become increasingly relevant, and that is that wisdom from above is not only peaceable but "yielding," and this manifests itself in several different ways. First of all, the Holy Spirit does not force Himself upon anyone if they are not ready to receive what He is saying. This is what the apostle Paul was talking about when he told the Corinthians that he was still teaching them milk because they were not ready to receive meat yet (1 Corinthians 3:2).

Another form of yielding, however, is to acknowledge when someone may be right about disagreements over a doctrine. When the Lord is free to use an entire congregation, sometimes someone when no one expects can present an excellent response from scripture, and in such instances even the most respected but humble teachers of the word will acknowledge it. This too can bring joy, for it once again demonstrates that God can use even the least esteemed in a congregation to teach the wise when it suits Him.

But this was something the Jewish leadership were not always comfortable with, and there was a simple reason for it. Jesus would bring it out in one of His teachings concerning them, when He stated the following regarding the Pharisees especially:

All their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments. 6 They love the places of honor at the feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, 7 greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called "‘Rabbi, Rabbi" by men. 8 But as for you, do not be called "Rabbi," for only One is your Teacher and all of you are brethren. 9 And do not call anyone on earth your "Father," for One is your Father in heaven. 10 Neither be called "Masters," because only One is your Master, the Christ. 11 But the greater among you shall be your servant. 12 And whosoever will exalt himself shall be humbled, yet whosoever will humble himself shall be exalted. (Matthew 23:5-11)

Because Jewish leadership often set themselves up as great giants of the faith like this, they had a very hard time dealing with it when someone corrected them. They often took exception to having their delusions of spiritual grandeur exposed, and this spiritual belligerence permeated throughout Jewish leadership, even down to the local synagogue. It's why the leadership in Jesus' home town eventually attempted to have Him thrown off a cliff when He informed them that they would reject Him, and that He would be sent to others instead (Luke 4:29).

But as Jesus and now James after Him were teaching, it was not wisdom from God to assume He gave His revelations only to a small group of select men and no one else. As James stated from the outset, God would give wisdom to any man and not bring reproach, so long as he maintained the faith to believe God for it (James 1:5). But the enemy attempted to foist earthly, soulish, demonic "wisdom" upon entire congregations in an attempt to silence them, and actually keep true wisdom from being spoken. This was the opposite of "the meekness of wisdom" James was talking about, which involved maintaining humility, and always remembering that one might not fully realize everything, and in some instances even be downright incorrect about something. But rather than be belligerent, the joy was found in everyone being free to share what God had given them personally by the Holy Spirit, for the possibility existed that even the wisest among them might still be ministered to by those who were the least, to the joy of everyone concerned. Belligerence on the other hand would help no one, for as it states in Proverbs, "Through insolence comes nothing but strife, but wisdom is with those who receive counsel." (Proverbs 13:10)


Questions And Applications

1. Going back to what I was saying about the Spirit that is supposed to govern our meetings, name some of the most fun times you have had around believers, whether during church services, Bible studies, conventions, or other church gatherings for Christian fellowship.

2. What do you like most about good church services? Is it the worship, preaching, the ministry of the Spirit, or something else?

3. Have you ever longed to interject into a message you were hearing at church, and wished you could participate in what was being said? Have you ever longed to ask a question, because something didn't make sense? What do you think would make for the best services; ones where only the pastor teacher did the talking, or one with participation, including your own? I ask because not everyone prefers the normal New Testament model as mentioned in 1 Corinthians 14:26, and certainly there were instances where the apostles were doing most of the teaching even during the days of the early church.