Over the next several issues of the Witness, the Gentle Reformation writers will address, one by one, the qualities of heavenly wisdom given in James 3:17: “The wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.” Just as a bright light in the background can help you read a book more easily, so knowing the biblical background of wisdom will aid you in understanding what James is teaching here. As you read this verse and the articles that will follow, keep in mind the following three illuminating truths regarding this wisdom from above.

The Source of Heavenly Wisdom

If you were hiking and came upon a stream of water, you would want to know its source before you sipped. It is one thing to drink from streams coming from freshly melted mountain snow. It is another thing to quench your thirst with water polluted with chemicals and waste from a nearby factory. Likewise, when it comes to acquiring wisdom, we need to know its source.

Two types of wisdom are characterized by James in the immediate context—earthly wisdom and heavenly wisdom (Jas. 3:13–18). With these modifiers, James gives us the source of these two different kinds of wisdom. He tells us that earthly wisdom—which consists of jealousy, selfish ambition, and arrogance—is “earthly, natural, demonic” (v. 15). In other words, earthly wisdom comes from our three great enemies: the world, the flesh, and the devil.

But heavenly wisdom, which was with God from the beginning (Prov. 8:22–31), is from Christ Himself. For He “became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption” (1 Cor. 1:30). So if one displays such wisdom, then we can know he or she has received that wisdom from Christ as its source. Through the presence of the Holy Spirit—the Spirit of wisdom who supplies true union with Christ—in the life of the believer, there is a dynamic producing wisdom and its fruits in those who have faith in Christ. Thus, the qualities listed that describe wisdom are Christ-produced as well as Christ-like ones. How then should wisdom eagerly be sought in His Word, leading us to the next truth.

The Search for Heavenly Wisdom

Our modern world is always trying to sell us something. The phrase “Got milk?” is emblematic of this consumeristic age. But the biblical cry is far more urgent than common marketing techniques, and it is for a far greater commodity: “Get wisdom!” The Bible does not just ask us if we have it, but instead commands us to find it. We are urged in Proverbs to pursue wisdom with these types of exhortations: Make your ear attentive! Cry for discernment! Lift your voice for understanding! Seek wisdom as silver! Search for her like treasure! (See Prov. 2:1–4.)

Indeed, James exhorts the one who lacks wisdom to “ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it [wisdom] will be given to him” (Jas. 1:5). So when it comes to wisdom, you are not to be like the philosopher (literally “lover of wisdom”) who is content only with discovering, discussing, and debating different ideas. Rather, knowing there is a truth-based, Christ-bestowed source of wisdom from above available to you, earnestly pray and steadfastly search for it like gold with all your heart. For there is great benefit in doing so.

The Shaping of Heavenly Wisdom

As stated, growing in heavenly wisdom is not merely acquiring greater theological knowledge about Christ that does not affect behavior. That would be to develop a faith without works, which James says “is dead” (Jas. 2:17). After all, as he goes on to say, “even demons believe [without works], and shudder” (v. 19). To gain knowledge of God’s ways without character change is to exhibit the foolish behavior of the proverbial man, warned against at the end of the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 7:24–27), who built his house on sand.

Rather, note that James asks at the beginning of this passage, “Who among you is wise and understanding?” (Jas. 3:13). He then answers, “Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom.” Notice how the emphasis is on demonstrative conduct. The one who is wise is to show he is so. He is to do this by exhibiting good behavior. This exhibition is done through the deeds he performs. The telltale sign of this wisdom is that it radiates with a gentleness toward others. When I think of the wise men and women that I have known in the church, their godly character and conduct are what comes to mind. As verse 17 makes clear, wisdom leads God’s people to bring forth fruit of greater purity, peace, and the like.

So as you seek heavenly wisdom, know this venture is a soul-shaping one!

Barry York is the president at the Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary.