James Series Part 6 of 10
Wednesday
March 18th, 2026
Bad Wisdom?
What is good wisdom?
Proverbs 9:10
Proverbs 8:13
Read James 3:13-18
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. 16 For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. 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.
Pray
Wisdom and Action? - verse 13
Bad Wisdom - verse 14
Characteristics of Bad Wisdom - verse 15
Earthly
ἐπίγειος - only that which is in common human experience, earth-bound
Sensual
ψυχικός - having to do with the natural world and the physical body
Demonic
δαιμονιώδης - coming from or having to do with demons
The Results of Bad Wisdom - verse 16
Good Wisdom - verse 17
Pure
ἁγνός - pure, innocent, harmless
Peaceable
εἰρηνικός - peacable, free from worry
Gentle
ἐπιεικής - gentle, kind, tolerant
Willing to Yield
εὐπειθής - compliant, congenial
Full of Mercy
ἔλεος - mercy, compassion, lovingkindness, faithfulness
Full of Good Fruits
ἀγαθός - good (excellent, beneficial)
Without Partiality
ἀδιάκριτος - impartial
Without Hypocrisy
ἀνυπόκριτος - genuine, sincere (without pretence)
The Result of Good Wisdom - verse 18
Wisdom - Why the Contrast?
Can Christians have Bad Wisdom?
‘in your hearts’ - verse 14
‘meekness of wisdom’ - verse 13
Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the NKJV.