Influenced by Worldly Wisdom?

Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. 14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. 15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. 16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. (James 3:14-16, KJV)

How would you describe “worldly wisdom”? (Js. 3:14)

Well...the worldly-wise person is characterized by bitter envying and strife—selfish ambition in the heart (3:14). Their singular passion in life is to advance their personal interests--"number one" matters above all others. He or she is jealous of any competitors and ruthless in dealing with them. Such people are proud of their knowledge and intellectual acumen, and they point to these as the primary keys to their success. However, when we take a look at James chapter three we find this is simply NOT the case at all.  What they refer to as a desirable 'wisdom' really is not wisdom at all. Worldly wisdom is NOT the wisdom that comes from God! Such bragging, personal promotion and self-marketing are deceptively empty. In fact, such behaviors are a fundamental denial of the truth that the truly wise person is markedly humble deep within. Personal humility is always a distinguishing characteristic of godly wisdom. So how can we know if we are operating from the position of godly wisdom or worldly wisdom? One answer is to become aware of what worldly wisdom is, how it functions, and what its outcomes are. Consider the following....

Worldly Wisdom is Selfish in Its Strategy (Js. 3:14).

So what are the four distinct characteristics of worldly wisdom? How can I identify or recognize it in myself and others? How can I detect its influence in my soul, relationships, and aspirations? Note the following four features of godless wisdom. 

It is Jealous. “Bitter envying” is endeavoring to exceed the achievements of others motivated by a zealous form of jealousy. Bitterness is driving the internal motives; jealousy and a yearning to have preeminence pervades the mind and soul. These words transmit the meaning of zealous selfish ambition. Such people are "eaten up" with envy and jealousy. Envy is a harsh, resentful attitude toward others and is rooted in unhealthy comparisons of one with another. If you recall James 3:1, where James warned them not to be ambitious for spiritual offices in the church. Some folks are motivated primarily by what others enjoy as they execute a certain office, and they crave the same privileges and honors for themselves. Instead of putting in the time to prepare, educate, train, and be mentored properly for greater responsibility, they are looking for a fast track or short cut to a prominent office or position.

The wisdom of the world says, “Promote yourself. You're as good as the other candidates, maybe better! An even if you aren’t better, you still deserve this opportunity. The wheel that squeaks the loudest gets the grease.” Sad to say, there is a great deal of selfish, carnal promotion among God’s people. Even the Apostles argued over who was the greatest in the kingdom. –Wiersbe, Warren

So many feel they are entitled to advancement and prestige.... They feel cheated when they cannot have the promotions or an office of greater responsibility. They are ready to cry injustice and parade themselves as some kind of martyr.... In fact there is no injustice...there is no unfairness in denying an opportunity to someone who is unqualified to fulfill the objective requirements.
It is easy to go on an ego trip under the guise of spiritual zeal. We must always bear in mind that zeal without knowledge is dangerous! Too many are addicted to the praise and accolades of people, the publicity derived from great achievements, and the lust for fame is startling.  I am convinced that the hunger for prominence and fame drives the reality television industry. I am certain such misplaced ambition drive YouTube video submissions. Why else would so many people make utter fools of themselves? This inordinate craving and pinning for the spotlight by outdistancing others is not godly wisdom in action. This is depraved human jealousy! Remember the Pharisees used their religious activities to garner the praise of men also (Matt 6:1-18). We ought to be zealous in the things of the Lord, but we must be sure that our motives are right. This is the difference between authenticity and hypocrisy. Note again that jealousy can look like spiritual zeal on the surface!

It is Selfish.  James uses the word “Strife,” which is selfish ambition, competing and fighting for individual superiority. It refers to egotistical aspirations that provoke conflict with others and causes divisions. Such individuals cultivate a “party spirit.” It is much like a politician out giving stump speeches to secure more votes. They over criticize the competition and overstate their achievements and intentions. All in the name of some perceived selfish advantage or even survival.

The world’s wisdom says, “Get all the support you can! Ask the people in the church if they are for you or against you!” Of course, this spirit of self-seeking only creates rivalry and division in the church. —Wiersbe 

In order to build themselves up they must resort to tarring others down. They do not have a record of successes, legitimate achievement, consistent track record of selfless service, or authentic godly character to sustain an interest in their merits or candidacy. Therefore, they resort to slinging mud at competitors, exaggerating their achievements, and re-scoping the issues to secure a calculated advantage.  You see everyone else is expendable when "number one" is all important to you!
How clarifying are the words of Paul to the Philippian Church saying, "Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than [more important than] themselves" (Phil 2:3)? God counsels His people to put others before ourselves and He goes on to instruct us to be willing to serve others sacrificially while seeking no place of prominence for ourselves (Phil. 2:5). It is astounding how much energy is spent attempting to exalt ourselves while so little is invested in honoring, serving, and uplifting others. We get it all wrong when we believe we have been privileged for our benefit primarily. Beloved, this is not the model the Lord Jesus gave us! Christ consciously used His position, privileges, and honor to serve the welfare of the most undeserving in multiple sacrificial ways (Phil 2:5-10). Shame on the Christian who seeks to qualify his involvement or contributions on the basis of, "What's in it for me!"

It is Prideful. Another term revealing the nature of worldly wisdom is the word "glory." “Glory” is, well... just as you might have thought, bragging and boasting about exercising 'wisdom'. A form of self-aggrandizement couched in intellectual acumen, savvy, or shrewdness. Pride may also be rooted in perceived advantages, pedigree, achievements, or a certain lifestyle.

Prideful people love to boast, and nothing is prouder than the wisdom of men (1Cor. 8:1). Sometimes this form of pride marks those who have more education than the average person, or they may have graduated from a more prestigious university. Such arrogant folks fail to see there is a way to report blessings so that God gets the glory, but there is also an approach that gives men the praise. I personally believe it is healthy to remember the Bible says nothing good about pride (Prov. 16:18, 19; 11:2; 18:12; 29:23; Isa. 2:11, 12; Dan. 4:30-37; Rom. 11:20; 1Tim. 3:6).

 Knowledge is proud that she has learned so much; Wisdom is humble that she knows no more.—Author unknown

“Glory” (3:14) reminds us how pride loves to sing its own praises, but, when God’s wisdom is in operation, there is a sense of humility and submission, and you want God to get all the glory. (Wiersbe)You have no desire to compare yourself with any other Christian, because you see only Christ, and compared with Him, all of us still have a long ways to go!  Even in Christian service, it is possible to be bitterly jealous of other workers, and to seek a prominent place for oneself (3:15). Even at pastor's fellowships and preacher's conferences many are discouraged by 'successful pastors' who glory in their large budgets, attendance, and facilities. I am not suggesting that some of these men are malicious in their intentions, but they cause harm when they seek to be distinguished among their colleagues merely for their personal satisfaction. 

It has well been observed that there is always a danger that worldly-wise men will be given places of leadership in the churches. Some receive desirable ministry opportunities primarily because they are more talented, and not because they are obviously fit for the office. Others occupy highly coveted positions because they have large bank accounts and leverage this fact for promotion options. Yet, others receive more serious consideration for certain ministries because they are physically attractive, and not because they are the most qualified. I am also amazed at the incredible number of individuals who have a "ministry" and a "title," but they have little or no preparation for serving the Lord Jesus and others. They secured a "license" or ministry "certificate" online or from some 'church' that will ordain anybody and they feel legitimized by such procedures. These misguided souls actually intend to use the 'ministry' to become well off or wealthy! They see the big name Televangelists, religious TV show hosts, and prominent "Christian" figures and regards such "success" as something they should have one day. Beloved, this is worldly wisdom on steroids! Those who serve the Lord must first be servants at heart and seek His honor and glory in all things. We must love our neighbor as ourselves and seek to serve them in meaningful ways that actually help them. It is our responsibility to live as real disciples of Christ embodying the Gospel in daily life and ministry. Christian servants must prepare themselves well through rigorous study of the Scriptures, Bible education, and thoughtful mentoring by seasoned servants of the Lord. It is our task to execute the ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ...we serve people with what and who we are. Often this requires sacrifice after sacrifice without seeking to establish a reputation for ourselves. While every Christian is to be a servant of God to others, not every Christian should be in leadership positions as they do so. We hurt people by allowing them to think they are ready for leadership in Christian ministry without adequately preparing them. Somehow I cannot help but believe that someone is counting, putting notches in their belt, and building their resume at the expense of the unwary! We must constantly guard against allowing worldly principles and motives to guide us in the spiritual work of our Lord. We must seek the approval of God upon our service; there is no room for senselessly comparing ourselves with other servants of God. We all must come to grips with the truth, that without the Lord Jesus, we can do nothing.

Furthermore, the wisdom of this world exalts man and robs God of glory. In 1Cor 1:17, Paul discussed the wisdom of God and the wisdom of this world, and he explained why God works as He does: “That no flesh should glory in His presence” (1Cor. 1:29). He concluded the section with the admonition, “He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord” (1Cor 1:31). (Wiersbe)

It is healthy to ask ourselves, is our zeal for the Lord spiritual or carnal? Do we rejoice when others succeed, or do we have secret envy and criticism? Do we feel burdened when others fail, or are we secretly delighted? When the wisdom of the world gets into the churches, there is a great deal of fleshly promotion and human glorification.  Beware!

It is Deceptive. James gives this admonition, “Lie not against the truth” (3:14). The previously mention boasting is empty. We all can understand how a little bragging can become mild exaggerations and then finally complete distortion of reality. So again James' counsel is "lie not against the truth." What truth? The lie in this instance is essentially a denial of the truth that the person who is truly wise is indeed humble. Wisdom does not lead to arrogant conclusions about ourselves, but honest evaluations and assessments that breed humility of heart. Once again note carefully the progression as stated by Dr. Wiersbe,

The sequence is not difficult to understand. First, there is selfish ambition that leads to party spirit and rivalry. In order to "win the election" we must resort to boasting, and boasting usually involves lies! A man's life is not read in his press releases; it is read by the Lord in his heart.  

Again one incredible consequence is people begin to actually believe their own hype! Outrageous! Is not the instructions of the Apostle Paul fitting when he says, "Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God" (1Cor 4:5)?

God will personally see to it that the truth is revealed! Consider further the words of MacDonald, "He is proud of his wisdom that has brought success. But James says that this isn’t wisdom at all. Such boasting is empty. It is a practical denial of the truth that the man who is truly wise is truly humble." –MacDonald: Believer's Bible Commentary

Yes, the persons with God's perspective of themselves are deeply humble; the soul marked by godly wisdom does not tolerate inflated ideas of its importance. Clarifying truth is cherished over blinding lies. Actually truth frees us from the bondage of lies, half truths, and calculated misrepresentations. One of the saddest things to witness is a person so given to lying that they have zero inclinations to ever speak a trustworthy statement. Their minds are twisted and warped by deception! Such individuals habitually misrepresent even the simplest things by default.

I think a final word from Dr. McGee will suffice here, 

In fact, an uncontrolled tongue raises the question in the minds of others whether a man is a child of God or not. You cannot make me believe that a genuine believer can curse six days a week and then sing in a choir on Sunday. He cannot tell dirty jokes and then teach a Sunday school class, telling about the love of Jesus. That tongue which you have can do either one, but if it does both, it is that which stirs up strife. We are told here, “Lie not against the truth.” A lying tongue is one that denies the Lord during the week by its conversation. (McGee, J. Vernon: Thru the Bible Commentary)

I believe Dr. McGee makes a valid point. A life marked by lies is uncharacteristic of genuine Christianity. There is nothing about falsehoods that is compatible with the Gospel of Truth. It is as un-Christian as the prideful attitudes that spawn it. To be clear, a Believer who has God's wisdom operating in their soul will truly be a humble person. Recognizing this believers under the influence of godly wisdom have an  authentic heart of humility; they refuse to resort to jealousy, self-centeredness, arrogance, and deceptions.

Because godly Christians are humble, they are not controlled by green-eyed jealous, ruthlessly self-seeking motives, an obnoxiously overconfident demeanor, and purposefully disingenuous designs. Humility of heart combats feelings of entitlement and actions rooted in resentment. Christians do not lie to appear to be keeping up with the Jones. A humble Believer does not make a big fuss over themselves because they keep Christ in clear view. What is stated in their resumes is true of them. They do not overestimate their value, nor do they underestimate their potential or capability. They have God’s perspective of their strengths and are deeply thankful for his gifts in their lives. Humble people are able to navigate away from deceptive behaviors and statements because they heartily identify with the truth and fidelity. They have no PR person and fervently reject the ‘spin machine.’ By default integrity is their modus operandi. While envy, selfishness, pride, and lying are primary features of worldly wisdom, it has no place in godly wisdom at all. When we are tempted to employ these motives or designs we are operating under the influence of worldly wisdom.     

So there you have it! According to the Word of God worldly wisdom is jealous, selfish, prideful, and deceptive! We must ask the Lord to examine our hearts to reveal when our actions are motivated by self-aggrandizement and arrogance. Trusting the Spirit of God to show us ourselves as we look into the Scriptures is a healthy habit. A failure to do this will lead to lives marked by worldly wisdom, and we will be oblivious of it because these motives are the typical ways our world function. Everybody thinks in these terms...except believers enlighten by God's Spirit and the Word of God. Unless we are willing to face ourselves in the mirror of God's truth we will live under the deception of worldly wisdom. The consequences of such ‘wisdom’ spell death to our service, relationships, and professional aspirations. We may become prominent in the estimations of men, but never will such motives win the approval of God. So I ask once more...are you influenced by worldly wisdom?