Wisdom is a central theme in James letter but what is true wisdom like and where does it come from?
A look at the text (Read James 3:13-18)
This section begins with a call, an invitation or challenge. Those who are truly wise are invited to step forward and demonstrate their understanding. The evidence or fruit will be a good life characterised by humility. The wise person doesn’t need to boast. The proof is in what they quietly get on with doing for the Lord (3:13). In contrast, those who don’t really have wisdom, or have a different, worldly kind of wisdom are characterised by bitter, jealous hearts. That’s something best kept to yourself! Don’t boast about it (3:14). The kind of life is not rooted in heavenly wisdom but earthly or even demonic wisdom (3:15) The fruit of this is seen in sin an division (3:16).
God’s wisdom has different characteristics. Divisiveness which arises out of a struggle for power is replaced with a willingness to submit to one another, compassionate mercy and consideration. Heavenly wisdom is pure and loves peace (3:17). Wise believers are those who seek to bring about peace and the result is a righteous harvest. In other words, there is a relationship between being right with God and right with each other (3:18).
Digging Deeper
James here helps us to see that wisdom, and I would argue with it, faith are not to do with intellect, knowledge and cognition. Rather, wisdom is a moral characteristic. It is about having God and his ways at the centre of your life. Notice too how this centres upon two crucial New Testament themes, peace and justification. Of course, Paul will draw the same links in his own way in Romans 5:1-2.
What we realise at the end of the chapter is that here James is telling us the true secret of how we control the tongue. It starts with the heart. Remember that for the rudder to move or the bit/bridle to be pulled, someone’s hand needs to be on it. The rudder and the bridle are connected to something else. The tongue matters because it connects directly to the heart and what we say comes from there. If my heart is centred on Christ and godly wisdom then it is Christ, through the Holy Spirit, who controls my tongue and my speech.
A look at ourselves
These verses are a challenge for us to read against the backdrop of contemporary culture which encourages us to emote and to let it all out. It is important to remember that James is not advocating a British “stiff upper lip” which denies our emotions or the reality of our experience. However, he is encouraging us not to be consumed and taken over by resentment, not to allow our hurts to dominate our thoughts, words and deeds. Instead, we are encouraged to draw our strength not from our own stories but from God’s great love to us in Christ and to allow that to shape how we think, speak and act.
Faithroots 