As we careen towards the 2020 Presidential election, let’s all keep James 3:13-18 in mind:
Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But 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. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
James 3:13-18, ESV
Clearly, we all want order over disorder. We may disagree about the nature of that order but very few (if any) actively want disorder to reign permanently. Even those who disrupt the current order do so as a means to an end. So when James argues that selfish ambition and jealousy lead to disorder, we should be careful to pay attention to his warning. He goes on to describe the wisdom from above. This is the wisdom we need to pursue and live out in the public square.
First, Pure
James describes the “wisdom from above” as “first pure”. What does this mean?
Wisdom must originate from an untainted connection with God. We must seek wisdom as something outside of us–within our Father–that He reveals to us. The Bible warns us time and time again to reject the wisdom “in our own eyes”. Wisdom requires humility and the purity of heart to listen to God without the adulterating impact of our own preconceived perspectives. While we are driven to foolishness by our innate desires, purity of heart leads us to Wisdom.
Then Peaceable, Gentle
Wisdom combines grace and truth. If we are to be wise, we must be gracious, gentle and in pursuit of peace. Gentleness approaches people with empathy and understanding. It understands that even those who disagree with us have had their perspectives shaped by experiences. We can often get very passionate about our positions because our perspectives are often borne out of our experiences. Gentleness and peace approach controversy with empathy and the wisdom to recognize that cultural anger often grows from personal pain.
Open to Reason
This one should be quite obvious! Wisdom is open to reason. Wisdom requires faith but it also recognizes reality and it uses empirical observation and logical reasoning to understand that reality. While we can’t rely completely on “reason”, we can’t disregard it either. God has given us the physical senses and mental faculties to develop an understanding of the world around us. He wants us to be a people that are committed to the Truth and simultaneously humble enough to admit we don’t have everything figured out right now.
Full of Mercy & Good Fruits
Wisdom leads to action. Wisdom is biblical doctrine and biblical action. Wisdom finds its fulfillment in the “doing of mercy” and the good fruits of our wise actions. When we face controversy in our culture, what are our actions saying? What story are they telling?
Impartial
Wisdom shows no bias or partiality driven by feelings or prejudice. Wisdom follows the example of justice in its fairness and desire to see the world through God’s eyes while rejecting the judgements our hearts make in haste. When we address cultural topics are we entering the discourse with a predetermined conclusion? Are we impartially regarding the perspectives around us, with a clear mind grounded in God’s word? We can’t be tossed by waves of cultural doctrine but we must be careful that the only “forgone” conclusions we make are truly based in God’s word, not in our chosen cultural narrative.
Sincere
At last, wisdom is sincere. It is genuine in love and truth. It cannot be personal ambition or jealousy masquerading as wisdom. It must be transparently and honestly committed to the ends which it declares. Wisdom from above doesn’t pretend. It is not a desperate guru on top of a mountain pulling sage aphorisms from the void to impress the pilgrims at his feet. There is substance to true wisdom, proven substance.
The Harvest
James draws a line from the “wisdom from above” to a “harvest of righteousness”. Those who sow peace, reap peace.
I can’t say it any better than the Proverb can:
Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold. She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called blessed.
Proverbs 3:13-18, ESV
May we all seek the wisdom from above this election cycle and beyond.