Verses thirteen through eighteen– Who is the wise, knowledgeable man? Who is the man “to whom God looks” when He wants His Word spoken with faith and power? It is the man who handles His Truth/Word and works out his salvation with fear and trembling (Isa. 66:2/Phil. 2:12). Such a man will speak in the manner is which he lives–with humility, which is not to be confused with cowardess. Often men who refuse to coddle people and play the Religious Correctness game are accused of being proud and/or harsh. It is the sword of God–His Word–that hurts those whom it cuts.

In verses 14-16 we learn that there is a “wisdom” that is not of the Godly variety. God’s wisdom, though not always soothing, upholds God’s Truth/Word above all other considerations. The other type of wisdom is “earthly, sensual, devilish.” This is the “wisdom” put forth by false prophets who speak “smooth things, lies and deceits” (Isa. 30:10) to people who “love to have it so” (Jer. 5:31). This is the “wisdom” which God calls “great darkness” (Mat. 6:23) because it is presented as God’s light/gospel. This Satanic wisdom is the root cause of the divisions (denominations) that characterize the modern version of God’s church–a cadre of conflicting, contradicting, competing cults founded by power hungry men in search of people who would follow them. Again, the tongue is the culprit that put into motion the religious quagmire today known as “Christianity.” “I have a new and unique take on the Scriptures” is the mantra from which the Catholic/Protestant debacle sprang–the instigator of “confusion and every evil work” (vs. 16). Those words perfectly describe the whole of professing Christendom. Such evil work is generated by the heart (mind) in the form of a thought which is then spread abroad in the form of spoken words. Indeed, the uncontrolled tongue is the tiny fire that set the world ablaze with false Christianity. See the Prologue to this website.

In verse 17 we learn that wisdom that is from above is pure, peaceable, gentle and welcomed by those who earnestly seek it. It is full of mercy and good fruits and is shared without partiality and hypocrisy.

Verse 18 tells us that the desired end of all spiritual efforts is the “fruit of righteousness.” In the physical realm, fruit is produced by the fruit tree. In the spiritual realm, the tree (believer) must produce the fruit (vs. 17) of righteousness which is “sown” (exhibited) for the benefit of others so that those who follow a righteous example can be at peace with God and their fellow man. But such peace is often elusive. Note the words of the Apostle Paul: “AS MUCH AS IS POSSIBLE WITH YOU, be at peace with all men” (Rom. 12:18). If you are earnestly striving to walk the righteous walk that leads to eternal life it will not possible to live at peace with some people. Those who count you a spiritual enemy will not be among the unchurched, who do not care what you believe, say or do. Your enemies will be those of the church, specifically those of your own household (Mat. 10:36). Darkness, you will soon learn, hates light. L.J.