True Faith that Works: Hellish vs Heavenly Wisdom Part 1
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The Devil and the Hermit
The Devil and the Hermit
There is a fable wherein the Devil once was crossing the Libyan desert and met a group of friends tempting a holy hermit. They tried seductions of the flesh, used doubts and fears, etc. But to no avail. The holy man was unmoved. The Devil then stepped forward: “Your methods are too crude. Permit me one moment.” Going to the hermit, he said, “Have you heard the news? Your brother has been made the Bishop of Alexandria.” According to the fable, a scowl of malignant jealousy clouded the serene face of the holy man.
Lou Priolo describes jealousy and envy as two sides of the same coin. He says,
“Envy is zeal for that which has been given to another. Jealousy is zeal for that which has been given to me. If I am envious, I have a selfish (covetous) zeal for that which belongs to someone else. If I am jealous, I have a zeal for protecting that which I believe is mine (because I am fearful of losing it). Envy and jealousy are like two sides of the same coin.
Heads is envy: the desire to have something that belongs to another (accompanied by varying degrees of resentment). Tails is jealousy: the fear of losing to another that which you already have.” Lou Priolo
For the Holy Hermit, his desire to have what belonged to his brother revealed bitter envy and selfish ambition in his heart, which likely grew resentment and other vile practices of the devil.
Both jealousy selfish ambition are siblings of death to your relationships and most of all to your faith. Whether you are envious of what someone else has, like the holy hermit, or you are jealousy to keep something, or someone to yourself, like a jealous husband, both are selfish ambition, and both are not of the Father.
In James context, bitter envy and selfish ambition were reaching its fever pitch between the rich and the poor.
The rich were Jewish aristocrats were jealous for their power, prestige and position. The poor who were being exploited by the rich and feeling powerless, were envious of the rich. There bitter envy was subjecting them to influence of revolutionary Zealots. These Zealots claimed to be wise religious descendants from Phineas, the Old Testament character who in his zeal for the Lord, stabbed the Israelite who was committing sexual immorality with a Canaanite woman. Their envy advocated retaliation with violence, creating disorder in the church, community, and home.
Herschel Hobbs describes the disorder caused by jealousy and envy.
“Like unseen termites, jealousy eats away the very foundation of the social order until the entire structure falls.” Herschel Hobbs
What kind of social structure is Hobbs speaking of in his quote?
My short answer is the the three primary spheres of life: the church, community, and home.
What inside of these structures tempts you toward envy?
A quick look at the commandment to not covet in Ex 20:17, is helpful. Coveting is an excessive desire for something. Coveting is often associated with Greed, but I’m inclined to say that jealousy and envy are two heads of the Hydra of Lerna. When God says do not covet, he is saying do not have an excessive desire, or could we say, an idolatrous desire for something that is not yours.
So the God says,
“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s.”
You see the social structure the church, community, and home inside of verse seventeen. There are people in the sphere of family that you are not to covet, like the spouse of someone. There is prosperity that comes from working in the community that you are not to covet: servants, donkey’s, oxen. Even in the church, the community of God, you are not to covet: “anything that is your neighbors,” even his piety.
jealousy and selfish ambition in the heart erodes the very foundation of our society when it attacks the church, community, and home. God forbids it, and so James says this should not be so, my brothers and sisters. Through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, he warns us this morning,
Because a heart filled with bitter jealousy and selfish ambition leads to hellish practices, you must love one another in the meekness of wisdom that comes from heaven.
Because a heart filled with bitter jealousy and selfish ambition leads to hellish practices, you must love one another in the meekness of wisdom that comes from heaven.
James reveals that your conduct reveals what is going on in your heart.
In James 3:13, he says
Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.
So, this morning, I want to encourage you love your neighbor in the meekness of wisdom that comes from above.
What does that look like? I think James is simple and clear. First,
Love one another in meekness by rejecting Hellish wisdom (James 3:14-16)
Love one another in meekness by rejecting Hellish wisdom (James 3:14-16)
James describes hellish wisdom in six ways.
Hellish wisdom is demonic (James 3:15)
Hellish wisdom is demonic (James 3:15)
I am using the word “hellish” for a reason. James says that worldly unspiritual wisdom is demonic.
This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.
The word used for unspiritual always carries a negative connotation in the New Testament. For example, Paul describes the unspiritual as
1 Corinthians 2:14 (ESV)
The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.
Jude describes the unspiritual person as ungodly, worldly, devoid of the Spirit.
Jude 18–19 (ESV)
They said to you, “In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions.”
It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit.
Ultimately, James says the unspiritual person is influenced by wisdom pertaining demons. Meaning this kind of wisdom is both demonic in origin and nature. It’s godless false wisdom that does contrary to what God desires. Hellish wisdom is characterized by the world, the flesh, and of Satan. Therefore, it is to be rejected.
Hellish wisdom creates the greenhouse for the ivy of bitter envy to grow in your heart (James 3:14a)
Hellish wisdom creates the greenhouse for the ivy of bitter envy to grow in your heart (James 3:14a)
Jesus says your heart is like a garden. The soil of your heart will either produce good fruit or bad fruit. In verse 14, James reveals where jealousy, envy, and selfish ambition come. They come from your heart.
James 3:14 (ESV)
But if you have bitter jealousy... in your hearts...
Jesus also teaches that it is from your heart that the effects of sin flow. The fruit of your heart manifest itself into good works or bad works, good conduct or bad conduct. In his discussion with the Pharisees he teaches them that it is not what goes into your body that defiles you, it is what comes out of your heart.
There is nothing outside a person that by going into him can defile him, but the things that come out of a person are what defile him.”
He goes on to list the evil that comes from your heart.
Mark 7:20–23 (ESV)
For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery,
coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness.
All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”
The Bible says envy is an act of the flesh, the result of human sin. Paul gives a similar list to the church in Galatia. He says,
Galatians 5:19–21 (CSB)
Now the works of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, moral impurity, promiscuity,
idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, dissensions, factions,
envy, drunkenness, carousing, and anything similar...
Describing those the heart of those who have been given over to a debased mind (heart) Paul says,
Romans 1:29 (ESV)
They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness.
And because envy is sinful and demonic in nature, it has the capacity to fester bitterness. To be bitter is to have a resentful hatred toward someone. Hellish wisdom gives the soil of your heart the atmosphere, like a greenhouse, it needs to allow the ivy of envy to bare the fruit of bitterness.
Ivy tends to grow slowly in its first year, though you will notice a marked increase in the rate of growth by the second year. By the time the plant enters its third year, it will fully reach its rate of hitting nine feet per year. Ivy, ultimately is a killer. it damages the bark as it climbs and will eventually overtake even a mature tree, weakening branches through its weight and preventing light from penetrating leaves. Weakened plants and trees are more susceptible to problems like pests or disease.
Envy in your heart will mature and bitterness will weaken your love for God and for your neighbor. You must reject hellish wisdom before it builds the greenhouse to allow it to grow.
Hellish wisdom believes the lie of selfish ambition (James 3:14b)
Hellish wisdom believes the lie of selfish ambition (James 3:14b)
Aristotle used this same Greek word used here to designate the attitude of those who seek political office for private gain rather than the public good, and this idea fits well inside of how it is used in the New Testament. For example, Paul uses the same word in Philippians 2:3
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.
If you remember, in Philippians chapter one, there were those people who were preaching Christ for selfish gain. Paul said as long as they preach Christ rightly, who cares if they benefit from it, even at the expense of Paul.
He contrasts selfish ambition with humility in verse Philippians 2:3b. Humility is counting others more significant than yourself. What is the contrast? Selfish ambition is counting yourself more significant that your neighbor. That is the way James is using this word in verse 14.
James 3:14 (ESV)
But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth.
The truth is, your jealousy is not only an excessive desire for something or someone else, it is an excessive desire to count yourself more significant than others, especially the person you are envious.
Furthermore, James continues to say that you are not living in the truth if you say otherwise. That is, you are lying to others and yourself. He says “do not boast and be false in the truth.” That is, don’t boast as if your hellish wisdom expresses love for God and neighbor.
When you purposely gossip about a brother or sister in the Lord because you resent God’s blessing or work in their life. Maybe he gives them a child or a spouse, something you’ve longed for much of your life. Your bitter thoughts turn into bitter words that are disguised as love-well isn’t that a blessing, but are in fact hurtful. Maybe you see how that guys wife has it all together. She cooks, cleans, keeps herself up, pays her husband compliments and showers him with affection. You look at him think, “He’s not much to brag about. He doesn’t even appreciate what he has. What a tool.” Your cant’ help but give him a backhanded compliment. Satan wants nothing more than for you to die in the lie that your envy and selfish ambition is legitimate and justified. Your words and conduct are warranted. Your excessive desire for yourself is ok. God only helps those who help themselves. That is a hellish lie. That hellish lie leads to death because that is the wisdom that comes from Satan.
Hellish wisdom is destructive (James 3:16)
Hellish wisdom is destructive (James 3:16)
The Catholic church identifies envy as one of the seven deadly sins. It is deadly because it inspires you to further sin which leads to death. In this case, James mentions two consequences of hellish wisdom that come from envy and selfish ambition.
Disorder
Disorder
In James 1:8 and 3:8, he spoke of the double-minded man. This kind of person is double-tongued, or double speaking. He is unstable and restless. The word James uses for disorder carries the same idea as 1:8 and 3:8. Luke uses the word to describe the uprisings that will happen when the end is near and Christ returns. He says,
When you hear of wars and uprisings, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away.”
The word “uprisings” is another form of disorder. Paul uses another form the word to admonish the Corinthian church to rein in the their use of the spiritual gifts that looked like chaos in the church. He reminds them
For God is not a God of disorder but of peace—as in all the congregations of the Lord’s people.
The Corinthians were not pursuing the glory of God as much as they were their own selfish concerns. It was causing a breakdown in the church community. Moreover, breakdown in the community happens rampantly when the leaders of the church put their personal agenda in front of the need of the church.
Douglas Moo wisely notes
“Envy and selfish ambition among leaders have tremendous potential to damage the unity and order of the church as a whole. When those who are being looked to for direction and wise counsel act on the basis of a personal agenda or in a spirit of one-upmanship toward one another, great damage to the church ensues.” Douglas Moo
I remember attending a business meeting for a small church. There was one very influential deacon who was able to direct the church where ever he wanted with a simple head nod. The pastor would put forth an idea or a plan for ministry. The church would look at the deacon. If he nodded in agreement, the church was for it. Oddly enough, his family was also a power family who was very wealthy.
Brothers and sisters, this should not be so! Selfish ambition and envy create disorder in the church. Disorder breaks the unity of the body of Christ scattering us into every different direction than the one that fulfills the Great Commission.
Vile Practices
Vile Practices
The other destruction that comes is your moral integrity. The phrase is somewhat vague in James, but the idea is pretty much any vile practice you can think of, it will come to pass where their is envy and selfish ambition.
I think one vile practice that shows up with envy and selfish ambition is hypocrisy. James has been hammering on this for most of the letter. It is a vile practice. How can you say you love brother while you resent him? How can you say you love Jesus while you resent those whom he blesses and loves? That is hypocrisy. Additionally, hypocrisy will lead to blasphemy. In your envy and selfish ambition you will lie about God. Your conduct will not match your confession, and you will take the Lord’s name in vein.
Only God’s enemies blaspheme his name.
They speak against you with malicious intent; your enemies take your name in vain.
How long, O God, is the foe to scoff? Is the enemy to revile your name forever?
God’s greatest enemy is described in
Revelation 13:5 (ESV)
And the beast was given a mouth uttering haughty and blasphemous words...
Those who hate God curse his name
They were scorched by the fierce heat, and they cursed the name of God who had power over these plagues. They did not repent and give him glory.
and cursed the God of heaven for their pain and sores. They did not repent of their deeds.
Think about those who handed Jesus over to be crucified. Jesus reveals what was going on in their heart. As Jesus with Barabbas before Pilate, and Pilate asked who should be released knowing bitter envy ruled their decision
For he knew that it was out of envy that they had delivered him up.
Delivering Jesus, the Son of God, to be condemned as a criminal, is as vile as a practice as it gets. It was envy that put him on the cross.
Hellish wisdom leads you to hell (James 3:15a)
Hellish wisdom leads you to hell (James 3:15a)
We’ve already seen that James says the bitter envy and selfish ambition are demonic. A heart that is filled with bitter envy and selfish ambition is being influenced, if not led by Satan. Hellish wisdom is Satan’s work in your life to keep you from enjoying Jesus. There are consequences for not dealing with your envy and selfish ambition. Let me illustrate with an Old Testament character.
The Psalmist in Psalm 73 struggled with envy. He looked upon the the prosperity of the wicked and his heart said,
Behold, these are the wicked; always at ease, they increase in riches.
All in vain have I kept my heart clean and washed my hands in innocence.
Do you hear the bitter envy in his voice? His envy turned his heart away from God.
When my soul was embittered, when I was pricked in heart,
I was brutish and ignorant; I was like a beast toward you.
The hellish wisdom that allowed envy and selfish ambition to gab a foothold, hardened his heart toward God. His danger was that envy was separating him from God. The Psalmist says,
Psalm 73:27 (ESV)
those who are far from you shall perish; you put an end to everyone who is unfaithful to you.
Perish means to suffer God’s condemnation. It means to bring ruin and suffer the terror of God’s wrath.
Truly you set them in slippery places; you make them fall to ruin.
How they are destroyed in a moment, swept away utterly by terrors!
You must reject hellish wisdom because the bitter envy it festers will harden your heart toward God and send you to hell.
You must hear the warning this morning. Your bitter envy is not ok in the eyes of God. He is calling on you to address it quickly. He warns through his servant Paul that the envious those who covet will not inherit the kingdom of God (1 Cor 6:10). How should you address it this morning? There are tow things that must be done.
Rejection of hellish wisdom begins with repentance toward God.
Rejection of hellish wisdom begins with repentance toward God.
The difference between the wicked and the envious Psalmist is the Psalmist repented, and it took God revealing himself in his sanctuary.
But when I thought how to understand this, it seemed to me a wearisome task,
until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I discerned their end.
In the sanctuary, the very presence of God, the Psalmist was confronted with the holiness of God. The holiness of God revealed his envy and his rage toward God. Only a holy God can both reveal your sin and provide the repentance you need to draw near to him. Jesus is your provision.
Rejection of hellish wisdom moves you toward reconciliation with your neighbor.
Rejection of hellish wisdom moves you toward reconciliation with your neighbor.
James later in his letter, says you must confess your sins to one another. Jesus says to you know your brother or sister resents you or is envious of you, or if you are envious of someone els, you must leave your gift at the alter and run hard and fast to reconcile them immediately (Matthew 5:21-24). You must seek reconciliation before you come in God’s sanctuary.
With a repentant heart, you will be ready to receive what you need to love one another with n the meekness that comes form above, which we will look at next week, Lord willing.
II. Love one another in meekness by receiving Heavenly wisdom
II. Love one another in meekness by receiving Heavenly wisdom
Heavenly wisdom is pure (James 3:17a)
Heavenly wisdom is pure (James 3:17a)
Heavenly wisdom is peaceable (James 3:17b)
Heavenly wisdom is peaceable (James 3:17b)
Heavenly wisdom is gentle (James 3:17c)
Heavenly wisdom is gentle (James 3:17c)
Heavenly wisdom is reasonable (James 3:17d)
Heavenly wisdom is reasonable (James 3:17d)
Heavenly wisdom is merciful bearing the fruit of the Holy Spirit (James 3:17e)
Heavenly wisdom is merciful bearing the fruit of the Holy Spirit (James 3:17e)
Heavenly wisdom is impartial and sincere (James 3:17f)
Heavenly wisdom is impartial and sincere (James 3:17f)
Heavenly wisdom received proves you are a child of God (James 3:18)
Heavenly wisdom received proves you are a child of God (James 3:18)
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
Are you content?
The puritan Richard Sibbs describe the kind of heart Satan is looking for to plant the seed of envy and selfish ambition.
“Satan has most advantage of discontented persons, as most agreeable to his disposition, being the most discontented creature under heaven. He hammers all his dark plots in their brains.” Richard Sibbs
Furthermore, Satan will will take advantage of your discontented heart in the most subtle ways as to surprise you when you are eventually trapped for dead. Spurgeon speaks of how an entire church can be trapped by Satan’s net of temptation of discontented people.
According to Charles Spurgeon, the nets in which the Egyptians took little birds were frequently so fine that one person could carry a net large enough to encompass an entire tree of wood.
He says, “Here you see the delicacy of those temptations with which Satan surrounds those in Christ. Strong as iron, yet filmy as fishing line, are the snares for spiritual men and women. Why, Satan can encompass a whole church with one of those nets, and you scarcely know that it is there. And yet the minds within its meshes are quite unable to mount up and sing to their Lord, as once they did, for they are within an invisible net.”