The Meekness of Wisdom, Various

The Meekness of Wisdom

A few weeks ago we looked at the two ways presented to us in Psalm 1. We found the way of the righteous and the way of the ungodly or worldly. These could also be called the way of wisdom and the path of folly. We saw the metaphors of walking, standing and sitting convey a sense of progress moving off of the path of godliness. First, someone is willing to walk with sinners, being influenced in their ways. Then they stop to stand taking the time to be influenced more and more. Finally under the influence of worldly people some finally take up with the foolish ones by sitting and becoming like them as they mock and scoff at those on the way of the righteous. 

A couple of weeks ago, we looked at some aspects of the way of the righteous by looking at the fool, foolishness and folly primarily from the book of Proverbs. We saw that foolishness is mostly identified with what a person thinks, speaks and does. They do those things that are opposed to wisdom—even though they are right in their own eyes Proverbs 12:5. Actually, the man who is wise in his own eyes is worse off than a fool. Proverbs 26:12. Wisdom knows when to answer a fool and more importantly, when not to answer.

What I hope to do today is survey the scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to define wisdom and to lay before you a better way than that of folly—the way of the wise on the path of wisdom. Many among us think themselves wise. A truly wise person will exude the characteristics of the wise we find in scripture.

There is also a wisdom that is of this world that is deadly, smells like smoke, and comes from the pit of hell.  It is worldly wisdom, not divinely informed. At times, it may look good, or even be attractive, but is deadly dangerous to your soul.

1 Cor 3:18  Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. ¹⁹ For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their own craftiness”; ²⁰ and again, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.”

Paul is writing to Christians. Christians can be self-deceived about many things. They accept a false wisdom that is only apparently wise, but not really wisdom. The language in the translation is that of seeming to be wise. The remedy is a wonderful paradoxical activity—to become a fool in order to become truly wise.

How does someone become a fool in order to become wise? They become a fool by the standards of the world in order to take up and embrace God’s wisdom. The apparent wisdom of this world is foolishness to God. That’s quite a statement. So, it is good for believers to know the truth about wisdom in order to have knowledge with understanding and discernment. In my experience, these three things along with real wisdom are lacking in the professing church today. The influence of worldly wisdom has contaminated churches with the advice of the world. The models of ministry are taken from corporate America, psychology or the social sciences. Acquiring wisdom takes work and we are a lazy people. The pursuit of wisdom ought to be one of our main tasks. Wisdom is built on knowledge. Knowledge may give understanding. The use of knowledge and understanding will demonstrate whether or not someone is wise. Proverbs 4:7 “Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.”

That’s quite a statement. Principal as an adjective means: First in order of importance. Getting wisdom, acquiring true wisdom with knowledge and understanding ought to be one of our main concerns, if not the main concern as we seek to glorify God in all things even the mundane things in life. It ought to be foremost in our minds as we seek first the kingdom of God—the very character of God is wisdom. To be godly we need to be wise.

God’s ways are above our ways. God in his wisdom catches the craftiness of the worldly wise and He knows their wisdom is futile—if God says worldly wisdom is empty, it would do us well to believe that and move ourselves far from foolishness and fools. Or, in the language of Prov 14:7, Go from the presence of a foolish man, When you do not perceive in him the lips of knowledge.

When the truth is not on his lips, we are obligated to remove ourselves from the company of fools. That’s a hard thing to do for some. But, it is God’s path of wisdom. The obligation is not to answer a fool and become like him—but, to go from his presence. Remember, whenever and wherever we find strife and scoffing, someone has acted like a fool or is a fool. That is what we find in the Old and the New Testaments.

Turn to the Book of James. I want to use this passage as a starting line for our jog on the path of wisdom. James 3:13-18. In many ways these verses summarize the best of what we find in the Proverbs.  

1.   A Searching Question

James 3:13-18 Who is wise and understanding among you?

2.   The Evidence of Wisdom

Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom.

3.   The Evidence of Folly

 ¹⁴ But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth.

4.   The Source of False Wisdom

 ¹⁵ This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic.

5.   The Evidence Re-stated

 ¹⁶ For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.

6.   Wisdom from Heaven

 ¹⁷ But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. ¹⁸ Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

Let’s define wisdom some more and then look at the text to incorporate some of the Proverbs in the exposition.

One author wrote: One might sum up the meaning of the term “wisdom” with the words, “know how.” Wisdom is based upon knowledge. Often, in fact, wisdom and knowledge are mentioned together (see Jeremiah 10:12; 51:15; Luke 1:17 (AV); Romans 11:33; 1 Corinthians 1:24; 2:5; Colossians 2:3; Revelation 5:12; 7:12). Wisdom cannot exist without a knowledge of all the facts pertinent to any purpose or plan.

The God who is all-wise is also the God who is all-knowing. We are not. We are prone to folly. We need God’s help let we open our mouths and prove ourselves to be foolish. Proverbs 18:13 He who answers a matter before he hears it, It is folly and shame to him.

When people jump to conclusions, or only have one side of a matter, they are more likely than not to act in an unwise manner. But, human nature being what it is. Once someone has acted based on incomplete knowledge (which is not knowledge, it only appears to be), their pride wants to keep them from being wrong. So they do many things to be right because they already are in their own eyes.

God knows everything. Theologians use the term “omniscient” when speaking of God’s infinite knowledge. God knows everything about everything. He knows what men are thinking (see Ezekiel 11:5; Luke 5:21-22). He knows everything that is going to happen. He even knows everything that could happen, under any set of circumstances (see, for example, 1 Samuel 23:10-12; 2 Kings 8:10). God cannot devise a bad plan or fail to bring His purposes and promises to their conclusion because He knows everything. His omniscience undergirds His wisdom.

Wisdom is not just knowledge, but “know how.” God’s wisdom enables Him to “know how” to do anything (see 2 Peter 2:9). Wisdom entails the skillfulness to formulate a plan and to carry it out in the best and most effective manner. Bezalel was a craftsman, a man with incredible “wisdom” in the art of making the furnishings for the Tabernacle (see Exodus 31:1-5). Joshua had been given wisdom to know how to lead the nation Israel (Deuteronomy 34:9). Solomon asked for and received the wisdom and knowledge needed to rule Israel (2 Chronicles 1:7-12).

A. W. Tozer and J. I. Packer have defined wisdom as follows:

Tozer: “In the Holy Scriptures wisdom, when used of God and good men, always carries a strong moral connotation. It is conceived as being pure, loving, and good.… Wisdom, among other things, is the ability to devise perfect ends and to achieve those ends by the most perfect means. It sees the end from the beginning, so there can be no need to guess or conjecture. Wisdom sees everything in focus, each in proper relation to all, and is thus able to work toward predestined goals with flawless precision.”¹⁷

Packer says, “Wisdom is the power to see, and the inclination to choose, the best and highest goal, together with the surest means of attaining it. Wisdom is, in fact, the practical side of moral goodness. As such, it is found in its fullness only in God. He alone is naturally and entirely and invariable wise.”¹⁸

1.   A Searching Question

James 3:13-18 Who is wise and understanding among you?

The immediate implication of these words is this—there were some to whom James was writing who were not necessarily wise and understanding.  He asked this question to those who were manly believers, or at least those who professed to be Christians outwardly.  Those in the church could answer this question. They could discern who were wise and who were not. But, James doesn’t leave them without a right understanding of what wisdom and understanding are, he goes on to tell them positively and negatively.

2.   The Evidence of Wisdom

Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom.

Being wise will affect the way one lives. Proverbs 23:7a
For as he thinks in his heart, so is he…. We looked at how the fruit of a person’s life will show what kind of root the person has. If the fruit is righteousness, true righteousness that reflects the Word of and character of God, that’s a good thing. Yet, it is God who defines what is good.

Wisdom starts with knowledge. We are not omniscient. Some might have extensive knowledge of the scriptures, but none of us have exhaustive knowledge of them. But the knowledge that can bring wisdom goes so much further. It is not just knowing about a matter, but knowing how to walk by faith at all times and in all situations.

That is one of the purposes for which the Proverbs were given under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. These are the inspired words to contemplate that we might grow is wisdom—a wisdom that is not our own. As Solomon put it in his intro to the book, “To know wisdom and instruction, To perceive the words of understanding, Pro 1:2” The wisdom of God is not always self-evident. It should be sought with prayer. A continuous prayer ought to be on our lips, Lord, give me wisdom in all things.”

It is a wise person who seeks to know the truth, who will take its rebuke and accept its ways. We need to lean less upon our own understandings.

What is in our hearts will show in how we live, especially in how we think and speak. We can’t see how someone else thinks, we only see the evidence of it in how they conduct themselves. It will be either in the path of the wise or the way of the foolish. And, the wise will live in the meekness of wisdom. Wisdom doesn’t strut itself around. It is mighty, but quietly used. The wise will listen and be instructed, but fools otherwise. 

1:5 A wise man will hear and increase learning,
And a man of understanding will attain wise counsel,
⁶ To understand a proverb and an enigma,
The words of the wise and their riddles.

10:8 The wise in heart will receive commands,
But a prating fool will fall.

12:8  A man will be commended according to his wisdom,
But he who is of a perverse heart will be despised.

16:23 The heart of the wise teaches his mouth,
And adds learning to his lips. That is the heart that fully trusts in the Lord. These things are of faith.

Consider:

3.   The Evidence of Folly

 ¹⁴ But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth.

That’s quite a dramatic contrast with what came before. James doesn’t claim to have some sort of mysterious knowledge of what they think deep inside themselves. He conditions his words. But, if, deep in the core of your being you have bitter envy and self-seeking, that is you despise others and would rather have your own way, but still act outwardly religious, do not boast about yourself and your opinions or actions. If you do you misrepresent who you really are—you lie about what’s really in there.

It is scary to see into someone’s soul to find out what foolishness is really there. It is due to a lack of wisdom that others do not see what is there and keep themselves from being discerning. It is not wrong to judge judiciously by a just standard as long as you hold yourself to the same one.

This false wisdom is dangerous and those who espouse are bad company to keep. James goes on to:

4.   The Source of False Wisdom

 ¹⁵ This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic.

Its not from heaven, it is not divine, it is not God’s way, it has its origins in other places. It is earthly, sensual, demonic. Three words meant to paint one picture of so-called wisdom. It is from this fallen world and its agenda either willingly or unwittingly allied with the devil against God and his agenda.

The wisdom of this world will appeal to the senses, the emotions. It promises to make one feel good or feel better. It is not based on knowledge as we find throughout the Proverbs and the rest of the scriptures. And its source is demonic—the same demons that believe some basic things about the gospel without believing savingly. This false wisdom is not based on true knowledge, it cannot give a right understanding, and it will be shown to be foolishness and to lead some to folly—and it already has.

5.   The Evidence Re-stated

 ¹⁶ For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.

The evidence is restated and expanded. Where that envy and self-seeking manifest themselves, there will be confusion and every evil thing. The doors are opened up and every evil thing comes in. Evil gives birth to more evil. A sin defended is two sins. It is the same with folly.

14:30  A sound heart is life to the body, But envy is rottenness to the bones.

14:33  Wisdom rests in the heart of him who has understanding, But what is in the heart of fools is made known.

15:32  He who disdains instruction despises his own soul,
But he who heeds rebuke gets understanding.

17:27  He who has knowledge spares his words,
And a man of understanding is of a calm spirit.

23:17  Do not let your heart envy sinners, But be zealous for the fear of the LORD all the day;

6.   Wisdom from Heaven

 ¹⁷ But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.

True wisdom comes from a heart changed by faith as they fear the Lord. This wisdom is pure it proceeds from being pure in spirit. It is not a façade put on so others will think highly of another. It is not self-seeking of man’s praise. It is the work of God, by his grace, that can give this.

Heavenly wisdom starts off pure, with pure motives, pure knowledge, pure and full understanding, then it is peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. 

Anything opposed to those graces is not wisdom from above. Does what you do or say stir up strife and contentions? Does what you do to get your way have an edge to it? When you engage a brother or sister are you willing to admit you might not understand a matter fully, or that you might be wrong? Are you full of mercy when you speak or act? Do you play favorites, preferring family and friends above others? DO you act with a mask on your face not showing what is really motivating you? Based upon your answers to those questions, your wisdom may be from the world of ungodly men and demons more than it is from the Word of God from above. Professed believers often do the devil’s work for him.  

18:2  A fool has no delight in understanding, But in expressing his own heart.

If you find folly in your own heart, if it there deep within you, you need to cry out to God for mercy, and for wisdom.

This same James in Chapter 1, verse 5, tells these same people what to do if they need wisdom. The words should have been in the backs of their minds as James addressed wisdom in Chapter 3.

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”

The remedy for a lack of wisdom is still the same today. Ask God for it. If you want true wisdom from above, ask God to give you wisdom and make you wise. Be like Solomon who wanted it to rule over Israel.

God promised to give it. The one who’s very character is wise and perfectly so, is the One who promises to give it to you. But, know this, he may do so in the furnace or difficulty to refine as by fire. Or, he might use any and all things to show you your need. However, one way he has already given by his grace and through his Spirit is the book of Proverbs and the wisdom literature of the Old Testament.

2:6  For the Lord gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding;--His word has been spoken forth to make us wise.

To some he might point out the natural rebellion and the sin that remains in your heart. Perhaps some will see there need of a savior and will call out to the Lord Jesus Christ in faith. He can forgive you of folly—which is real evil.

What do the wise do? What is the fruit that grows on the great trees of the righteous?

 ¹⁸ Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

15:21  Folly is joy to him who is destitute of discernment,
But a man of understanding walks uprightly.

Even the godly woman of Proverbs 31 is known for opening her mouth with wisdom.

Folly causes strife and grief. If you won’t repent of your folly, if you won’t ask God for wisdom from above, at least eal your lips for the sake of peace.

17:28 Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace;
When he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive,

We need the meekness of wisdom. I found a great definition of meekness this week. It was in an article about how Jesus handled people on the day he was crucified. “Jesus was humbly patient under provocation from others.” There are many provocations as we live in this world. They don’t come from unbelievers alone. There are people in churches who provoke others. There are a lot of people who do or say things that are intentionally provocative. Some realize it, others do not. We should not provoke on another. If we do, it may cause another to sin and act foolishly. 

16:16  How much better to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.

19:8  He who gets wisdom loves his own soul; He who keeps understanding will find good.

And again, Proverbs 4:7  Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.

1 Cor 1:26 For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. ²⁷ But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; ²⁸ and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, ²⁹ that no flesh should glory in His presence. ³⁰ But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption— ³¹ that, as it is written, “He who glories, let him glory in the Lord.”

Jesus became the wisdom of God for us. We need his help, that we might be wise according to his standards and not our own.