Avoiding Demonic Wisdom

James 3:13-18

This is not the wisdom that comes down from above but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere, and a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

Behavior Reveals Wisdom

James links speech with behavior. What we say reveals what's in our hearts and private lives. It shows our spiritual condition. To teach, one must control speech and behavior, exemplifying the message taught. If someone lives up to everything they teach, they're teaching too low.

James instructs that true faith is demonstrated by actions. A faith without works is demonic. Similarly, there is demonic wisdom, revealed by behavior that exposes specific sin problems in a person's life.

Two Outcomes of Wisdom

Demonic wisdom produces disorder and vile practices—chaos, unruliness, disobedience to authority, and low-grade morality. Lives marked by this are unstable, like a ship tossed in a storm, with no safety or security.

Godly wisdom produces a harvest of righteousness, where things function as God intended. Righteousness means relationships—with God, others, and the world—operate rightly. It's not perfection without trials, but right responses to trials: dependence on God, trust in Him, and resistance to sin.

Who Is Wise?

James asks: Who is wise and understanding among you? This question prompts self-examination. Wisdom means skillfully applying biblical principles in every aspect of life—public and private. The Greek word for "wise" (sophia) means being skilled or experienced, like a virtuoso musician who masters new pieces instantly through practice.

Understanding means expertise in knowing and applying Scripture. Those who hear but do not practice remain immature, needing basic teaching repeatedly, like adults forgetting how to eat solids and needing milk.

Criteria for Wisdom: Humility in Behavior

Wisdom shows by good behavior and works demonstrating humility. Examine yourself: Lack of humility reveals lack of righteousness. Pride leads to jealousy—a bitter hatred of others' success—and selfish ambition—seeking personal success above others. This thinks oneself better than everyone, which is demonic.

Disobedience reveals demonic wisdom and unrighteousness. Rebellion against authority—parents, leaders, or God—leads to disorder and vile practices. No sin is respectable; all disobedience has severe consequences, but it is 100% avoidable.

Characteristics of Wisdom from Above

James lists qualities in sequence leading to a harvest of righteousness:

1. Pure: Holiness, chastity, clear conscience, standing in awe of God. How big is God to you? Does Scripture leave you in awe, like Job's encounter or Isaiah 6?
2. Peaceable: Peace with others, not absence of conflict but qualitative responses—joy in trials (James 1), growth through relational conflict without anxiety or gossip.
3. Gentle: Strength under control, proper restraint, not harshness. Harshness reveals demonic wisdom.
4. Open to reason: Compliant, obedient, persuaded to do right.
5. Full of mercy and good fruits: Eager to meet needs.
6. Impartial and sincere: Non-divisive, inclusive, without hypocrisy—recognizing shared sinfulness and need for grace (Matthew 7).

These, sown in peace, produce a harvest of righteousness.

Measuring Progress Toward the Harvest

1. Not sinlessness, but actively doing something about sin—hindering it, not enabling it. Humility recognizes sin, relies on Christ, and desires change because God impresses most.
2. Obedience to authority (Hebrews 13:17; Ephesians 6:1; Romans 13:1-2). Rebellion resists God, blocking the harvest.
3. Humility: Seeing yourself as God defines you—the only path to righteousness and victory over sin.