“KNOWLEDGE!”

But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. James 3:17 KJV

PRE-AMBLE by Robert

While researching various articles, it became quite apparent we are dealing with two different forms of knowledge. As this fact unfolded further, the question being formed was, “which form of knowledge was being followed, and where was the information sustaining this knowledge from?

First, let me bring forward the world’s definition of knowledge as seen by the world as acceptable taken from The Free Dictionary by Farlax.

Knowledge (nŏl′ĭj) n.

1. The state or fact of knowing: Humans naturally aspire to knowledge.

2. Familiarity, awareness, or understanding gained through experience or study: has an excellent understanding of these parts; has only limited knowledge of chemistry.

3. The sum or range of what has been perceived, discovered, or learned: the extraordinary expertise housed in the library.

Why supply this definition? So we are dealing with the same thought process of what worldly knowledge is. As in comparison, I related through scripture the meaning of Knowledge, which is from our Lord. 

But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. James 3:17 KJV

OPENING OPINION by Robert 

True wisdom is God’s gift. It is not gained by conversing with men, nor by the knowledge of the world (as some think and speak), but it comes from above. 

It consists of these several things:

1. It is pure: without mixture of maxims or aims that would debase it: and it is free from iniquity and defilements, not allowing of any known sin, but studious of holiness both in heart and life

2. The wisdom that is from above is peaceable: Peace follows purity and depends upon it. Those who are truly wise do what they can to preserve peace, that it may not be broken and to make peace, that where it is lost, it may be restored. In kingdoms, in families, in churches, in all societies, and in all interviews and transactions, heavenly wisdom makes men peaceable

3. It is gentle: not standing upon extreme right in matters of property, not saying nor doing anything rigorous in points of censure, not being furious about opinions. Urging our own beyond their weight nor theirs who oppose us beyond their intention not being rude and overbearing in conversation, nor harsh and cruel in a temper. Gentleness may thus be opposed to all these

4. Heavenly wisdom is easy to be entreated, [eupeithes] it is very persuadable, either to what is good or from what is evil. There is an easiness that is weak and faulty, but it is not a blamable easiness to yield ourselves to the persuasions of God’s word, and to all just and reasonable counsels or requests of our fellow-creatures, no, nor to give up a dispute, where there appears a good reason for it and where a good end may be answered by it

5. Heavenly wisdom is full of mercy and good fruits: inwardly disposed to everything kind and good, both to relieve those who want and to forgive those who offend, and actually to do this whenever proper occasions offer

6. Heavenly wisdom is without partiality: The original word, adiakritos, signifies to be without suspicion, or free from judging, making no undue surmises nor differences in our conduct towards one person more than another. The margin reads it, without wrangling, not acting the part of sectaries, and disputing merely for the sake of a party nor censuring others purely on account of their differing from us. The wisest men are least apt to be censurers

7. That wisdom which is from above is without hypocrisy: It has no disguises nor deceits. It cannot fall in with those managements which the world counts wise, which are crafty and guileful, but it is sincere and open, steady and uniform, and consistent with itself.

“And then, lastly, true wisdom will go on to sow the fruits of righteousness in peace, and thus, if it may be, to make peace in the world.”

Oh, that you and I may always be guided by such wisdom as this! That with Paul, we may be able to say, Not with fleshly wisdom, but in simplicity and godly sincerity, by the grace of God, we have our conversation.

CLOSING OBSERVATION by Robert

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 are, there is confusion and every evil work.

A truly wise man is a very knowing man: he will not set up for the reputation of being wise without laying in a good stock of knowledge and he will not value himself merely upon knowing things if he has not wisdom to make the right application and use of that knowledge. These two things must be put together to make up the account of true wisdom: who is wise, and endued with knowledge? Now where this is the happy case of any there will be these following things: 

1. A good conversation. If we are wiser than others, this should be evidenced by the goodness of our conversation, not by the roughness or vanity of it. Words that inform, and heal, and do good, are the marks of wisdom, not those that look great, and do mischief, and are the occasions of evil, either in ourselves or others

2. True wisdom may be known by its works. The conversation here does not refer only to words, but to the whole of men’s practise therefore it is said, Let him show out of a good conversation his works. True wisdom does not lie in good notions or speculations so much as in good and useful actions. Not he who thinks well, or he who talks well, is in the sense of the scripture allowed to be wise if he does not live and act well

3. True wisdom may be known by the meekness of the spirit and temper: Let him show with meekness. It is a great instance of wisdom prudently to bridle our own anger, and patiently to bear the anger of others.

And as wisdom will evidence itself in meekness, so meekness will be a great friend to wisdom for nothing hinders the regular apprehension, the solid judgment, and impartiality of thought, necessary to our acting wisely, so much as passion. When we are mild and calm, we are best able to hear reason, and best able to speak it. Wisdom produces meekness, and meekness increases wisdom.

A good conversation in Christ is a holy life, according to the doctrine and example of Christ. “Look well to your conscience, and to your conversation; and then, though men speak evil of you, and falsely accuse you as evil-doers, you will clear yourselves, and bring them to shame. Perhaps you may think it hard to suffer for well-doing, for keeping a good conscience and a good conversation; but be not discouraged, for it is better for you, though worse for your enemies, that you suffer for well-doing than for evil-doing.”

1. The most conscientious persons cannot escape the censures and slanders of evil men; they will speak evil of them, as of evil-doers, and charge them with crimes which their very souls abhor: Christ and his apostles were so used

2. A good conscience and a good conversation are the best means to secure a good name; these give a solid reputation and a lasting one

3. False accusation generally turns to the accuser’s shame, by discovering, at last, the accuser’s indiscretion, injustice, falsehood, and uncharitableness

4. It is sometimes the will of God that good people should suffer for well-doing, for their honesty and for their faith

5. As well-doing sometimes exposes a good man to suffering, so evil-doing will not exempt an evil man from it. The apostle supposes here that a man may suffer for both. If the sufferings of good people for well-doing be so severe, what will the sufferings of wicked people be for evil-doing? 

This is knowledge given with love so we can share it with that same love.

Blessings brothers and sisters may you all walk in the light which has been shared with you, comforts you, and lights the narrow path so hard to find and maintain. 

Again please remember this is just a humble servant doing the bidding of Yeshua (Jesus). I pray for a safe journey forward. A walk-in God’s love and peace, and may the “SHARING OF YOUR LIGHT” in the Den of wolves be fruitful, remember, He is always with you if you hold His love in your heart forever.   

Robert