God has given mankind free will to choose their own path in life. One life choice is, what kind of wisdom will I follow after and direct my life with? God’s Word tells of two kinds of wisdom. The type of wisdom we choose will determine our quality of life.
What are the two kinds of wisdom? In the Book of James, God expounds on the concept of wisdom and reveals the two kinds of wisdom. The Book of James shows there is a wisdom that is according to worldly reasoning. It also shows a wisdom that is according to godly reasoning. Then it reveals the results, the fruit, produced by each kind of wisdom. By looking at these two types of wisdom and their respective fruit, we can decide for ourselves which one we will choose. Let’s look at the first type of wisdom described in the Book of James.
James 3:13-16:
Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation [behavior] his works with meekness of wisdom.
But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.
This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
Having bitter envying and strife would not demonstrate a right pattern of actions and emotions, which are based on God’s Word. These are things that come from worldly wisdom, which is earthly—belonging to the earth; sensual—what pertains to the soul, without spirit; and devilish—belonging to devil spirits. The fruit of this worldly wisdom is envying, strife, confusion, and every evil work.
The believer looks beyond how the senses world does things and chooses God’s perspective in order to avoid this type of fruit in their lives.
Romans 12:2:
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
In the Book of James, God goes on to offer another kind of wisdom for our consideration and shows the fruit of choosing it.
James 3:17,18:
But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.
Godly wisdom, wisdom that is from above, is first and foremost pure. The Greek word for “pure” here means chaste, clean, pure from every defilement. Wisdom from above is pure. Then, it is peaceable. The root of this word denotes the absence of or end of strife. As ungodly wisdom generates strife, the wisdom from above is without strife. It is gentle, not insisting on the letter of the law; it is fair and reasonable. And this wisdom is easy to be entreated.
Full of mercy and good fruits, this wisdom withholds judgment when judgment may be deserved, and it produces the good fruit our heavenly Father would have us enjoy. This wisdom is without partiality, or without uncertainty. And it is without hypocrisy—it does not play a part like an actor on a stage, but is genuine.
Proverbs 24:13,14:
My son, eat thou honey, because it is good; and the honeycomb, which is sweet to thy taste:
So shall the knowledge of wisdom be unto thy soul: when thou hast found it, then there shall be a reward, and thy expectation shall not be cut off.
God’s Word tells of two kinds of wisdom. Worldly wisdom leads to envy, strife, and confusion. Godly wisdom leads to what God has called us to. It leads us to a quality life that is full of good fruit—positive results. When we choose the wisdom that is from above, we can bring God’s purposes to pass, and we can live positive, fruitful lives.