November 13 | The Results of False Wisdom

“Where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing.”

James 3:16

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False wisdom ruins lives.

Renowned eighteenth–century theologian Jonathan Edwards said the following about the effect of the Fall on man:

Sin, like some powerful astringent, contracted his soul to the very small dimensions of selfishness; and God was forsaken, and fellow–creatures forsaken, and man retired within himself, and became totally governed by narrow and selfish principles and feelings. Self–love became absolute master of his soul, and the more noble and spiritual principles of his being took wings and flew away.

Edwards’s analysis certainly agrees with what James is saying: man is self–centered (cf. James 3:14, 16). Where self–centeredness exists, there will be negative results. One such result is “disorder” (v. 16). The term refers to disorder that comes out of instability and chaos. Earthly wisdom will never produce harmony or love because it’s proud and self–indulgent. It destroys intimacy, love, unity, and fellowship, and in its place brings discord and chaos. You can see the result of earthly wisdom all over our world today. Anger, bitterness, lawsuits, and divorces are just part of the legacy.

“Every evil thing” also results from earthly wisdom (v. 16). The phrase speaks of something worthless or vile. Greek scholar R.C. Trench said it contemplates evil, “not so much that either of active or passive malignity, but rather of its good–for–nothingness, the impossibility of any true gain ever coming forth from it.” The Greek word translated “thing” implies that false wisdom produces nothing of any practical value. At its best it produces worthless things; at its worst it produces vile things.

Which kind of life do you prefer? One that is characterized by love and unity, or by instability and chaos? A life with fulfillment and meaning, or with emptiness? If you want a life that satisfies and has eternal value, choose divine wisdom!

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Suggestions for Prayer: Thank God for giving you His Word so you can know how to live wisely and avoid the negative results of man’s wisdom.

For Further Study: Following human wisdom leads only to evil. Memorize Proverbs 4:27 to help you stay on the path of true wisdom.¹

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¹  MacArthur, J. (1997). Strength for today. Crossway Books.

November 10 | Living Unselfishly

“If you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth.”

James 3:14

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A wise person lives for God and others, not for self.

Having characterized spiritual wisdom in the preceding verse, James begins to analyze worldly wisdom in verse 14. Worldly wisdom is not of God. It has no relationship to Him, is not obedient to Him, and has no knowledge of His truth.

What is the motive of someone who lives according to worldly wisdom? “Bitter jealousy and selfish ambition.” The Greek word translated “bitter” also means “harsh” and is used of bitter, undrinkable water. “Bitter jealousy” carries the idea of a harsh, bitter self–centeredness that produces a resentful attitude toward others. People with bitter jealousy live in a world that focuses on themselves. They react in a jealous manner toward anyone who threatens their territory, accomplishments, or reputation. They resent anyone who threatens to crowd their slice of this world. They consider people who differ from them as implacable enemies. And they are bitterly jealous of anyone who is successful.

The Greek term translated “selfish ambition” refers to a personal ambition that creates rivalry, antagonism, or a party spirit. That’s another way of pointing to self. The person who follows human wisdom begins with a “bitter jealousy” that creates an attitude of competition and conflict. Then “selfish ambition” generates a party spirit and bitterness toward others. James is saying that ungodly wisdom is self–centered, and its goal is personal gratification at any cost.

What about you? Are you motivated by jealousy and selfish ambition? Be honest in your evaluation. Take a serious inventory of your heart and ask yourself, Am I serving others instead of fulfilling my own desires at the expense of others?

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Suggestions for Prayer: Ask God to convict you when you put yourself before Him and others. ✧ Repent of any present situations in which you are doing that very thing.

For Further Study: Read the following verses: Genesis 37:4; 1 Samuel 18:8; Luke 15:25–30; 22:24. What was the sin in each example? ✧ Read and study 1 Corinthians 13:4–7 to learn how the qualities of love are opposite to human wisdom.¹

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¹  MacArthur, J. (1997). Strength for today. Crossway Books.

October 23 | Burned Up

As a flower of the field, he will pass away. For no sooner has the sun risen with a burning heat than it withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beautiful appearance perishes. So the rich man also will fade away in his pursuits.

James 1:11

Wealthy people usually do not realize that they can’t take their riches with them. Only those who have been humbled before God know that life is “a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away” (James 4:14).

In today’s verse, James writes about the blooming grasses and flowers of Palestine that flourish with beautiful color in February and dry up by May. James also borrows part of his illustration from Isaiah 40:6–8. The burning heat, which could refer to the scorching wind known as a sirocco, destroys the vegetation in its path. It is illustrative of the fury of death and divine judgment that put an end to the rich man’s earthly life and his material possessions.

When the rich man’s possessions are burned up, he will have the true riches, just as the poor man does. If you are wealthy, make sure you have a true spirit of humility and don’t trust in the possessions of life.¹

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¹  MacArthur, J. (2001). Truth for today : a daily touch of God’s grace (p. 320). J. Countryman.