Daily Devotions
James
"The wisdom that is from above..."
Text: James 3:17
AN OUTSTANDING CONTRAST
James offered an outstanding contrast to earthly wisdom. This contrast would help the individual to identify what true wisdom is.
“But the wisdom that is from above is
first pure, then peaceable, gentle,
willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits,
without partiality and without hypocrisy.”
James 3:17
1. “But the wisdom that is from above”
a) This is in direct contrast to the wisdom discussed earlier (James 3:14-16).
b) The source of true wisdom is from above (from the Lord above).
2. Eight features were highlighted: –
a) “First pure”
i) Without defilement or impurity.
ii) That wisdom must first be pure is highlighted for obvious reasons!
iii) Purity of wisdom affects all the other features.
b) “Then peaceable”
i) This contrast with the demonic wisdom that brings about confusion and evil deeds.
ii) Peaceable wisdom naturally follows “purity”.
c) “Gentle”
This may be evidenced in “kindness, forbearance, considerateness”.
d) “Willing to yield”
i) Wisdom will listen to the opinions of others.
ii) The wise person yields his opinion to other views which are better.
e) “Full of mercy”
i) Mercy in itself includes a strong idea of “compassion”.
ii) The wise person is “full of merciful compassion”.
f) “Good fruits”
Bearing fruit was a principle James used as a measure; true wisdom will yield “good fruits”.
g) “Without partiality”
This is consistent with what James wrote about having true faith (James 2:1-4).
h) “Without hypocrisy”
True wisdom is never hypocritical!