Heavenly Wisdom vs. Earthly, Sensual, Devilish Wisdom
James 3:15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
In this verse, James clearly distinguishes heavenly wisdom from earthly, sensual, devilish wisdom. Correlating this statement with other passages concerning information that is demonic points us to the vital issue of our need to reject information, teaching, wisdom, etc. that is demonic.
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Correlating James 3:15 with 1 Tim. 4:1 plainly attests to the reality of humans who have accessed and received demonic wisdom:
James 3:15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
1 Timothy 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
We must thoroughly examine Scripture and profit fully from what God has revealed about such humans and their exceedingly dangerous character and activities.
It seems to me that the demonic wisdom that deceived Eve into disobeying the divine prohibition that was given to her and to Adam is seen in our day and lives in the intensity with which certain Christians oppose certain divine prohibitions that Scripture reveals God has given to us. To me, it makes perfect sense that demonic wisdom is at play, at least behind the scenes, in some or even perhaps much of the “Christian” opposition to the divine demand that we “have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness” (Eph. 5:11).
If this line of thinking is correct, it may be that the hallmark of demonic wisdom is to seek by any means possible to deceive Christians about the true force, ramifications, and applications of the various divine prohibitions that God has revealed to us.
In the James passage, all wisdom apart from God’s wisdom is demonic. It isn’t a portion of the whole. It’s all of it.
[josh p]I agree. It’s sobering and thought-provoking to ponder the full implications of this reality.In the James passage, all wisdom apart from God’s wisdom is demonic. It isn’t a portion of the whole. It’s all of it.
Discussion