What Wisdom Guides You? -  James 3

Pastor Dan Walker, PhD, MDiv

Introduction: The Source That Shapes Every Decision

Today our message is going to help you answer the question: What Wisdom Guides You? In our journey through life, we all seek guidance, and the paths we choose and the decisions we make are influenced by one of two kinds of wisdom. But the important question remains: What wisdom guides you?

Proverbs 3:19 (ESV) The LORD by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding he established the heavens;

This divine wisdom, eternal and unchanging, contrasts starkly with the fleeting, ever-evolving wisdom of the world. God’s wisdom existed before creation and continues to sustain everything that exists. It stands in direct opposition to human reasoning that shifts with culture and circumstances.

Isaiah 55:8 (ESV) For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD.

This verse describes the thoughts and ways that are not God’s ways or God’s wisdom. In our daily lives, we are often tempted to lean on our own understanding and thoughts, a worldly wisdom. This temptation is subtle and persistent, drawing us away from trusting God fully.

Proverbs 3:5 (ESV) Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.

We are to trust, to lean on God’s wisdom in every decision, not our own. Wisdom is not just about knowledge or information alone. True wisdom is true knowledge put into practice in your life.

Imagine with me a small village long ago nestled between rolling hills. In the village lived two builders, Joe and Sam, who were given the task of building homes on the opposite side of the river that ran through the village. Their approaches to building would reveal the kind of wisdom guiding each of them.

Joe, eager to get started, quickly gathered some material and began to build on the sand banks of the river. He liked the view at the river edge and boasts about how quickly he was building his home. His focus was on speed, appearance, and immediate satisfaction.

Sam, on the other hand took a different, slower approach. He searched for days to find a rocky outcrop further from the river that could be a solid foundation. His building process as much slower than Joe’s and he often consulted ancient texts and got advice from elder builders.

Some time after both houses were built, a violent storm hit the village. The rain poured, the wind howled and the river swelled. The next morning, the villagers came out to asses the damage.

Joe’s house, which had looked so good, was washed away leaving only scattered debris. Sam’s house, though enduring the same wind and rain stood firm on its rocky foundation. The difference was not the storm, but the foundation beneath the structure.

Just like Joe and Sam, we are all builders in the story of our lives. The foundations that we choose will determine whether our lives will withstand the storms of life. Today, we’re going to learn from the book of James, two types of wisdom.

One that looks good, but is fleeting and unstable. And another that’s harder to get, but is solid and enduring. So let’s continue to answer the question, Whose Wisdom Guides You?

How to Demonstrate True Wisdom

James 3:13 (ESV) Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.

Many people claim to be wise and have understanding. Yet, as we have seen before, words by themselves prove nothing. Wisdom and understanding are shown by our actions and words.

True wisdom is shown by good, as contrasted with bad, conduct. True wisdom is demonstrated in meekness or humility, not in pride or arrogance. This kind of wisdom reflects a heart aligned with God.

Why would James make this kind of statement? Because there were undoubtedly those he knew of in the church community who claimed to be wise and understanding. Yet, the conduct was not good and was expressed in ways that were prideful.

True wisdom is demonstrated by humble actions. It is visible in how a person lives and serves others. It is never merely theoretical or self-promoting.

Living Out God’s Wisdom Through Humble Service

True wisdom comes from God and can only be expressed by believers. True wisdom is shown in a life that serves others with humility. It is not about drawing attention to oneself.

True wisdom is seen through serving others like Jesus did, rather than promoting oneself. Ask yourself the question: Am I doing something simply to help or promote myself or am I doing it to help others? This question reveals the source of the wisdom guiding your actions.

When you’re at work or around other people, consider your focus. Are you thinking about yourself and your concerns? Or are you thinking about the needs of others?

True wisdom is demonstrated by humble works for others. May God help us to grow in demonstrating true wisdom.

Curses of Earthly Wisdom

James 3:14 (ESV) But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth.

There are two and only two kinds of wisdom, earthly wisdom and heavenly wisdom. First we are going to look at the evidence or curses of earthly wisdom. Let me remind you that the book of James was written to believers.

So, don’t think that this doesn’t apply to you because you are a believer. Bittler jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart comes from earthly wisdom. These are self-seeking and prideful attitudes that don’t come from God.

James warns us not to boast about ourselves and our achievements. When we exhibit these kinds of sinful behaviors, we are embracing Satan’s lies, his worldly wisdom rather than God’s. This kind of wisdom corrupts both heart and behavior.

James 3:15 (ESV) This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.

Now James makes it crystal clear that there are two kinds of wisdom. The first kind of wisdom, heavenly wisdom comes down from God. The type of wisdom that causes sinful thoughts and behavior doesn’t come from God, rather it is earthly wisdom.

Earthly wisdom is not neutral, it is unspiritual and demonic. The last two adjectives show us the origin of earthly wisdom. Earthly wisdom is unspiritual, not from God and it is demonic.

Earthly wisdom is demonic wisdom that comes from Satan and his demons. This wisdom influences thinking, attitudes, and behavior in destructive ways. It pulls believers away from God’s truth.

James 3:16 (ESV) For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.

Remember that jealousy and selfish ambition exist in people’s hearts. But when this type of earthly wisdom is embraced in someone’s heart, it results in disorder and every vile practice. The fruit always reveals the root.

As we go on through the book of James, we will understand that disorder and vile practices were related to disputes and schisms within the church. The sinful thoughts in our hearts that stem from earthly wisdom will result in damage to the body of Christ, the church.

Earthly wisdom brings curses into our own lives and our relationships. It destroys unity and produces chaos wherever it is embraced.

Recognizing and Rejecting the Lies That Shape Worldly Thinking

Where does earthly wisdom come from? Earthly wisdom comes from the lies that the world around us tells. Earthly wisdom comes from following the crowd, they’re always wrong.

Earthly wisdom also comes from false teaching that is currently present in many denominations. There cannot be unity between people who embrace earthly wisdom. The source of division is always false wisdom.

We see the effects of worldly wisdom on social media. The platforms can be used to spread heavenly wisdom or earthly wisdom. Yet, when people become consumed by how many likes or followers they have, they have succumbed to earthly wisdom.

Heavenly wisdom comes from God’s Word received with a willing and humble heart. And that is expressed and carried out with love for others. Beware the curses of earthly wisdom.

Blessings of Heavenly Wisdom

James 3:17 (ESV) But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.

Wow, we have eight blessings of following heavenly wisdom. When you look at all eight, what do they speak to you about? They speak of wonderful relationships, between you and God and between you and others.

They are the exact opposite of jealousy, selfish ambition disorder and every vile practice. We could spend an hour talking about each of these blessings. Each one reveals the beauty of God’s character.

Heavenly wisdom is first of all pure for it comes from God. It is peaceable, it brings the peace of God into every heart and relationship. It is gentle with others and not harsh or angry.

It is open to reason and does not engage in harmful arguments. Heavenly wisdom of full of mercy and good fruits, it is seen in outward actions of love. Heavenly wisdom is impartial, it does not discriminate between different kinds of people.

Heavenly wisdom is sincere, it is not fake, it does not mislead but always tells the truth. These eight characteristics or blessings of heavenly wisdom describe the character of Jesus.

And they describe the believer who chooses to walk in heavenly rather than earthly wisdom. This wisdom shapes both character and conduct.

James 3:18 (ESV) And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

What is a person who lives in the blessing of heavenly wisdom? He is a peacemaker. A peacemaker who makes peace between people.

And a peacemaker who helps other make peace with God. The harvest of earthly wisdom is disorder and vile practices. The harvest of heavenly wisdom by peacemakers is righteousness.

Those are the blessings of heavenly wisdom. They reflect God’s desire for His people.

Becoming Peacemakers Who Reflect God’s Wisdom

Let’s focus on what God is calling us to be from this passage today. God desires for us to embrace the blessings of heavenly wisdom, so that we can become peacemakers. This calling touches every area of life.

Is there any conflict in your life and in the lives of people around you? Most likely there is and our temptation is to run away from conflict. That is not what heavenly wisdom does.

Heavenly wisdom calls on you to be a peacemaker to conflicts around you. It may be a conflict in your family or with your relatives. It may be a conflict at work, at church or with friends.

Ask God for the wisdom to be a peacemaker in the conflict. The second area that God calls us to be peacemakers is with those who are not yet saved.

They are in conflict with God, whether they know it or not. God calls us to be a peacemaker by showing them how to have peace with God. To go from being an enemy of God to being a child of God.

God is calling each of us to be a peacemaker that leads people to Jesus. Those are the blessings of heavenly wisdom.

Conclusion: Choosing the Foundation That Will Last

As we reflect on the question, what wisdom guides me? Let’s remember the story of the two builders, Joe and Sam. In the midst of life’s storms, will your foundations hold?

Are you building your life on the shifting sands of earthly wisdom? Or are you building your life on the solid rock of heavenly wisdom? The choice is yours and the outcome will be evident.

Just as in the parable of the two builders, the storm reveals the foundation. May each one of us be guided by heavenly wisdom to build upon the rock.

📘 Continue the Journey

Reflect deeper and apply this week’s message with the Message Study Guide — perfect for personal devotions, family discussion, or your Life Group.

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