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Introduction
Verse 15 is our verse of study for this evening.
Open your Bibles to James 3:15.
The men are handing out my worksheet.
While they are doing that, let’s read the entire paragraph, and then we will come back to our verse.
Now let’s go back to verse 15 which says:
This is a short verse but one full of truth.
So let’s look at it grammatically and then we will make some spiritual application.
Grammar
This verse contains one noun, one verb, one adverb, and three adjectives.
The verb is “descendeth.”
It means to move downward and lower.
In Scripture, it is used both literally and figuratively.
It is also used for both physical and abstract things.
The noun is also our subject.
It is the word “wisdom.”
We have studied this word multiple times.
It means having the necessary knowledge, skill, and experience to master a particular subject or trade through much practice and training.
This specific “wisdom” does not come from above in our text.
Coming from above is an apparent reference to Heaven and, thus, from God.
It is also a reference back to verse 14.
Verse 14 speaks of bitter envying, strife, self-glory, and lies against the truth.
All of which are characteristics of men’s sinful nature.
We can safely surmise that this brand of “wisdom” is the wisdom of men or the world’s wisdom.
It is most assuredly not wisdom that comes from God.
The adverb in this verse is “from above.”
It tells us from where this wisdom did not descend.
There is one conjunction.
It is the word “but” offering a contrast.
However, this wisdom is not from above; it is earthly, sensual, and devilish.
The word “earthly” means to belong or have the traits of this earth as opposed to Heaven.
I want to stop and dwell for a moment on the word “sensual.”
In your worksheet, you see that I have it defined as “governed by the soul.”
That description, unfortunately, is a little vague.
The Greek word used here rarely occurs in the New Testament.
We only find it 6 times.
In our English Bibles, it is translated as “sensual” (2 times)(here in our text) and “natural.
(4 times)” Thus its use refers to men and women in their natural, unspiritual state.
A state that is animated by the soul.
This natural condition of men is contrasted with the spiritual.
Spiritual life can only be animated by the Holy Spirit.
A “sensual” or “natural” person is one whose life is out of touch with God.
Note Scripture’s description in 1 Corinthians 2:14.
Scripture also uses this same word (sensual, natural) to contrast a spiritually resurrected body with the natural body in 1 Corinthians 15:44, 46.
Therefore, this word in James describes man’s wisdom as being wisdom inherited from sinful men.
It is a wisdom that comes naturally to man because it originates from his sinful nature.
The third adjective is the word “devilish.”
Our text is the only place in the New Testament where you find this word.
It literally means demonic.
Thus, the wisdom of this world is driven by Satan.
It stands in open rebellion to God.
Man’s wisdom opposes God at every turn.
Spiritual Application
So let’s take what we have already discovered and see what God wants us to know.
What is the Holy Spirit talking about?
As we already know, He is talking about wisdom.
What is the Holy Spirit saying about wisdom?
He notes a vast difference between God’s wisdom and man’s wisdom.
In this verse, the Holy Spirit describes the essence of man’s wisdom.
As we consider verse 15, don’t forget the overall context.
The Holy Spirit started with our words and now moves to wisdom.
And in verse 1 of this chapter, we begin with those who desire to teach.
There are two dangers defined by God when teaching His Word.
The first danger is our tongue.
We must be careful to let God’s Word and His Spirit do our teaching for us.
We are NOT to teach without first submitting to His authority in our lives.
The second danger is man’s wisdom.
That is the danger under consideration in this verse.
The issue is this.
False teaching is the product of using the wrong wisdom.
Thus, the warning from God is not to use our wisdom as the foundation of our teaching.
Instead, we are to use His wisdom which comes from His Word.
The Holy Spirit lists here four attributes of man’s wisdom as proof it should not be used.
Here is the first.
Man’s Wisdom is Earthly and Not of God
James 3:15 (KJV 1900)
15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
What I mean by ungodly is this.
It is not of God.
Man’s wisdom is centered and focused upon the things of earth.
Stop and think about it for a moment.
Is there anything taught outside the local church and God’s word that is not centered upon self?
Every philosophy and teaching of men focus on pleasing self.
Let me give a few examples.
One philosophy of men today teaches a primal view of man.
Essentially, their wisdom says men are driven by their instincts to pursue gratification.
Thus, men will do whatever they must to obtain and keep what satisfies them.
This philosophy, by the way, in a certain sense is true.
However, their wisdom says it is okay.
They encourage following your instincts so that you may liberate yourself from all that encumbers you.
It is wisdom focused on this earth and nothing more.
Here is a philosophy utterly contrary to God.
It is not of God.
Another philosophy of man takes a more mental approach.
For them, it is all about behavior.
We are who we are because we are conditioned or programmed.
If you were raised under the wrong influences or conditions, you are a victim of those circumstances.
You need to be “reprogrammed.”
The term “improve your self” is used quite frequently.
We see this a lot in the “woke” mentality sweeping through America currently.
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