Wisdom: Earthly or Heavenly?

Years ago, when I was doing my doctoral studies at the New College in the University of Edinburgh, I saw that someone had put up a poster near the door of the theological library. It had the words of the poet T. S. Eliot (from the opening verse of his poem “Choruses from the Rock”).

“Where is the Life we have lost in living?

Where is the wisdom we have lost in knowledge?

Where is the knowledge we have lost in information?”

Eliot describes how our modern scientific and technological prowess, bringing with it a knowledge explosion, has not given us much wisdom. We know much about motion but little or nothing of stillness. We speak much but know little about silence. In pursuing knowledge, we have abandoned wisdom, and in pursuing information, we have abandoned even knowledge. Eliot’s observations are spot on with regards to our modern realities, where we swim (or rather drown) in oceans of information, and live amid a cacophony of voices and noises, in a speeded-up restless and breathless existence. Where can we find true wisdom in such a world?

The apostle James describes two kinds of wisdom when he asks, “Who is wise and understanding?” (James 3:13-18).

Earthly Wisdom (vv. 14-16)

Earthly wisdom is rooted in what is unspiritual and what belongs to the realm of the devil (v. 15). “Such ‘wisdom’ does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.” The KJV uses the phrase, “earthly, sensual, devilish”. Here, we can see more clearly a reference to the world, the flesh, and the devil, the three enemies of the human soul.

On the surface, such so called wisdom may look good and attractive, but when examined closely it belongs to what is against God. In Eden, the serpent promised wisdom to Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:6). He was, and continues to be, a sly and devious salesman. People have been hoodwinked to think that wisdom comes from knowing something and have been distracted away from the heart of being human – which is to know someone (primarily God and then subsequently others). Wisdom does not come from merely gathering information or consuming or using toys and techniques. Wisdom comes from having a relationship with God.

Earthly wisdom is really being street smart, being competitive and clever. It promises success and offers to make us first, but it does not lead to God. Machiavelli (political shrewdness), Rockefeller (business success), and Stephen Hawking (academic brilliance) represent elements of this earthly wisdom if removed from true wisdom that is connected with God. The cleverest and the most educated people might not believe in and know God.

We often make the mistake of measuring “wisdom” with IQ (intelligence quotient). Smart scholars are believed to be wise. But this is not necessarily so, as is often the case. Without true wisdom, a smart man can end up as a smart crook. We must not make the mistake of thinking that intelligence is synonymous with wisdom.

James tells us that false wisdom thrives in the soil of “bitter envy and selfish ambition” (v. 14). It has a mean competitive streak about it and is self-serving. James repeats the terms “envy and selfish ambition” in verse 16 as if he wants us to examine the roots of earthly wisdom and to really learn an important lesson.

The modern world loves driven and ambitious people. The question to ask is “Are they really wise?” Will they lead us to peace, or will they lead us to “disorder and every evil practice” (v. 16)? Even in the church, we pursue ambitious people and make them celebrities. But high achievers do not necessarily live the good life or possess wisdom. The solution lies in finding people who have received heavenly wisdom from God, something we must habitually do when we are looking for leaders, mentors, and volunteers.

Heavenly Wisdom (vv. 17-18)

James declares that "true wisdom comes from heaven" (v. 17), meaning that it is not naturally present within us, but instead it is God’s gift to us. That is why James wrote: “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you” (1:5). The qualities of this wisdom, given to us by the Father and exemplified for us in the Son is made real by the Holy Spirit. These are listed here for us by James.

The key point is that heavenly wisdom is pure (hagnos). This is its central quality. This is contrasted against the envy and selfish ambition of earthly wisdom. It has a certain innocent and transparent quality, and its motives are good. The greatest motive found in this heavenly wisdom is love for God and for others.

This wisdom will manifest itself in how we relate with others. Note the qualities; they are all various dimensions of the purity of heavenly wisdom:

• Peace-loving (peace arising from right relationships with God and others)
• Considerate (ability to make allowances)
• Submissive (knowing when to wisely yield)
• Full of mercy (able to forgive and be compassionate)
• Full of good fruit (a life that displays godliness)
• Impartial (undivided because of the certainties of the faith)
• Sincere (without hypocrisy)

To summarise, the truly wise person will live humbly (his relationship with God), and compassionately (his other relationships). Another way of saying this is what the prophet Micah said: “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8). Both vertical and horizontal relationships are to exhibit heavenly wisdom which produces righteousness. Thus, James talks about a “harvest of righteousness” where there is godly wisdom" (3:18).

Wisdom must be tested by its roots – whether it is in God and His Word or the sinful passions of the flesh and world. It can also be tested by its fruits. The way James explains it, we can summarise it this way: wisdom → humility → good life. The Greek for “good life” (James 3:13) is kales anastrophes meaning “good behaviour or conduct“, a life of “beautiful graciousness” and has nothing to do with material possessions and comfort. The “good” indicates character and godliness. It is in this way that the good life is the evidence of true wisdom, and that “humble faith…is the source of the wise life”.

Humility and godliness are the hallmarks of true wisdom. Godly wisdom is humble. There is no place for pride which thinks too highly of one’s own wisdom. The Bible does warn against being wise in one’s own eyes (Proverbs 26:5, 12; 3:7; Isaiah 5:21). Such people are bound to make tragic mistakes because they are full of themselves. They hide behind self-constructed facades and lies that are not sustainable. Such folly can be avoided by seeking God’s wisdom in all humility. It is better to be wise in God’s eyes than in our own, or even in the eyes of the world.

Find True Wisdom

The Old Testament points to "God’s wisdom, with which He created His universe and rules it" (Jeremiah 10:12). The fear of the Lord is the "key to this treasure that opens the door for us to find the depths of such wisdom" (Isaiah 33:6). The New Testament, more specifically, identifies Jesus as the one in whom “lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 1:3).

In contrasting the “wisdom of the world” and the “wisdom of God”, Paul argued that worldly wisdom is unable to lead us to God; we need God’s wisdom which is in Christ, for Christ is the “power and wisdom of God” (1 Corinthians 1:18-24). To know Christ is to find the true wisdom that comes from heaven. This wisdom does not promise success in the eyes of the world, but it shows the way to be good and faithful in God’s eyes.

Worldly wisdom can help one win the whole world but Jesus already warned of being misled by the applause, worldly recognition, and rewards given to such street-smart shrewdness. Jesus asked pointedly, “What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?” (Matthew 16:26). To appreciate this, we must receive the divine wisdom from above that is found in Christ.

As we live in a world awash with all kinds of earthly wisdom offering advice on how to be healthy, wealthy, and even wise, we must develop an ability to turn our ears and hearts to true wisdom. “The quiet words of the wise are more to be heeded than the shouts of a ruler of fools” (Ecclesiastes 9:17). We need to set aside adequate time to hear wisdom in an unhurried way. We can experience this when we turn our eyes and ears to Christ and read the Word of God that will be brought into the heart by the Holy Spirit. More than wisdom, we must seek God first.

The article is excerpted from Practical Christianity (published by Cru Asia).

Article Contributed by Bishop Emeritus Robert M Solomon

Bishop Emeritus Robert Solomon served as Bishop of The Methodist Church in Singapore from 2000-2012.  He had served previously as a medical doctor, church pastor, principal of Trinity Theological College and president of the National Council of Churches of Singapore. Dr Solomon has degrees in medicine, theology, intercultural studies, and a PhD in pastoral theology from the University of Edinburgh. He has contributed many articles to books, theological dictionaries and journals, and this book is his 50th book. He has an active itinerant ministry of preaching and teaching in Singapore and abroad.