Earthly, Unspiritual, Demonic Wisdom

James 3:14–15 “If you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.”

Human beings have an insatiable hunger for wisdom. We find proof in that every culture has produced its own teaching on wisdom and how to attain it. Whether we are talking about an advanced civilization that features many schools of philosophy or a more “primitive” group of people who have a shaman to instruct them in wisdom, societies have seen value in figuring out how to rightly apply knowledge and live according to what is true, good, and beautiful.

Certainly, we should always commend the true pursuit of wisdom. Because of the fall of mankind into sin, however, our efforts to find wisdom end up futile as long as we seek to be wise without the fear of the Lord (see Prov. 1:7). Those who discover “wisdom” without the fear of God have discovered only worldly wisdom, and worldly wisdom condemns because it despises and rejects Christ (1 Cor. 1:18–31). Thus, Paul tells us, what impenitent people consider to be the foolishness of God because it does not fit their standards actually stands as “wiser than men” (v. 25).

James likewise teaches that there is a difference between worldly or earthly wisdom and what he will call “the wisdom from above” in James 3:17. Verses 14–16 give us James’ explanation of the nature and evil folly of earthly wisdom. We will look at verses 14–15 today.

True, godly wisdom, James 3:13 tells us, reveals itself in meekness and good works. It is evident in people who truly know who they are in light of who God is, who see themselves as needy creatures, not the all-sufficient Creator. Worldly or earthly wisdom, on the other hand, flows from jealousy and selfish ambition (v. 14). The inordinate desires for things that do not belong to us and the insatiable lust for power at the expense of others produce “demonic” wisdom (v. 15). Such “wisdom” seeks to elevate ourselves to the place of the Creator and Judge of all; it seeks to live by its own rules and not by God’s. It is demonic because selfish ambition and jealousy likewise motivate Satan and his minions to try to become God (see Matt. 4:9).

Importantly, James’ description of this wisdom as “unspiritual” (James 3:15) qualifies “earthly” so that we know that he is not disparaging all things physical or connected to this world. “Unspiritual” means “not characterized by the Holy Spirit.” Worldly or earthly wisdom does not hate creation; rather, it is ungodliness.

Tabletalk Bible Studies - September 2024 - Earthly, Unspiritual, Demonic Wisdom

Coram Deo Living before the face of God

Bitter jealousy and selfish ambition are at odds with true wisdom, so we cannot hope to have that wisdom as long as our hearts are filled with such things. We are to mortify jealousy and selfish ambition by cultivating contentment, for those who are content will not be jealous of others or consumed by selfish ambition. Let us seek, by the help of the Holy Spirit, to be content every day of our lives.

What is the difference between knowledge and wisdom?

Knowledge usually refers to information or awareness that someone has about a subject, whether from education or experience, as in “she has a lot of first-hand knowledge about the video game industry as both a player and a designer.” Wisdom refers instead to someone’s good sense, judgment, or insight (“he demonstrated wisdom by not responding to the taunts of his political opponent”)—in other words, to their ability to process, apply, or otherwise act on knowledge.

1 Corinthians 1:30-31  And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”