James 3:13-18 - 13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. 17 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. 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.



Wisdom is Truth Applied with Humility.
Knowledge – facts about God, his ways and his heart.

Wisdom – Truth applied at the right time with the right attitude and with the right motives.
So Wisdom is more than knowing what is right


Who‘s wise and understanding among you?
“Wisdom is proved right by all her children.” — Luke 7:35


1. Self-centered wisdom has recognizable fruit
Envy
v. 14  But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 

Selfish Ambition
Vs 14 and selfish ambition in your hearts,


2. Sources of Self-Centered Wisdom
vs 15 Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil.

3. Godly wisdom has visible marks 
Pure
  • The wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure..." 
  • 1 John 3:3 - All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure
  • Proverbs 10:9 -  The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out. 

Peaceloving
  • 17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving

Considerate
  • Phil 2.3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. 
  • Vs 17  "Wisdom is considerate"  = means "mindful of the feelings of others"
  • Proverbs 15:4 "Kind words bring life, but cruel words crush your spirit."

Submissive
  • Proverbs 12:15 "A fool thinks he needs no advice. A wise man listens to others."

Merciful
  • full of mercy and good fruit, 

Sincere
  • Vs 17 impartial and sincere

Lived Out
  • Who is wise and understanding among you. Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in humility that comes from wisdom." 
  • Vs 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.