The Bible informs us that there are two types of wisdom, which are opposites! Furthermore, neither form of wisdom is based on academic achievements or intelligence! Instead, both are determined by the heart of man.
Dear reader, which type of wisdom can you identify with? What type of heart do you have? Here are the eternal facts:
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness. (James 3:13-18)
Wisdom That Comes From Heaven
The wisdom which comes from heaven, is associated with the HUMBLE, who are truly wise and understanding. It is shown by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. That wisdom (from the righteously humble) is:
- pure
- peace-loving
- considerate
- submissive
- full of mercy
- full of good fruit
- impartial
- sincere
Wisdom Which Is Earthly, Unspiritual and of the Devil
The contrasting wisdom to godly wisdom, comes from bitter envy and selfish ambition. Such leads to disorder and every evil practice! In other words, sin proliferates from that type of earthly, unspiritual and of the devil type of wisdom. Sinful actions beget more sin.
Scripture states: If you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Instead, if that describes you, REPENT, for your heart is not right.
Surprisingly, many in ministry today are like that. They are motivated by selfish ambition and envy of others also in ministry. Their work is not as pure as it may appear to man!
Selfish Ambition
The subject of selfish ambition surfaces at other times in scripture and it is always shown to be a serious problem. In the following passage, it is shown to be of the sinful nature, as is envy:
The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. (Gal 5:19-21)
Even in Paul’s Day!
Even in Paul’s day there were preachers who taught Christ in such a way as to cause trouble for the godly! Case in point was Paul while he was in chains for serving God! Clearly, not all preachers declaring Jesus Christ are benefitting the kingdom of God or doing such out of a right motive:
The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. (Phil 1:17)
They weren’t preaching Christ to win souls, but to cause trouble for Paul — someone those preachers secretly wanted to hurt! WHY? There were preaching Christ out of envy and rivalry (Phil 1:15)! That was their wisdom!
The MOTIVES of us all are open before God and will be part of our judgment before God! Perhaps those unqualified preachers felt they were Paul’s rival. Folks, we must be guarded against selfish ambition and envy too, for it is associated with the wrong type of “wisdom,” a spiritually destructive wisdom:
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. (Phil 2:3)
Operate out of humility, not selfish ambition.
