Wisdom for Demons

14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. 15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual,
demonic (James 3:14-15).

Do you think it is possible to have a completely different understand of wisdom than someone
else? Maybe you think it is wise to save money and your friend thinks that what is more wise is
to spend money as soon as you get it. People might not always agree on what is most wise.
In our verses for today, James is not talking about differences in wisdom between
persons, but rather differences in wisdom between those who love God and those who hate God.
In fact, there is a type of “wisdom” that is the wisdom of demons!
Demons don’t love God, they hate God. And what is most wise in their minds are all
those things that are opposite of God. Demons love bitterness and jealousy and selfishness.
Demons love bitterness because it shows that we are not trusting God to deal with those things
that make us angry. Demons love jealousy because it communicates to God that we are not
thankful for what he has provided. Demons love selfishness because it is the essence of hatred of
God. Selfishness robs us of our joy and God of his glory.
So if you are not repenting of bitterness, jealousy, and selfishness you are aligning
yourself with demons! Those who hate God! Thankfully it doesn’t have to be that way. There is
a much better pathway to wisdom. It starts with repentance. Through repentance we can see
God and God loves to reveal his truth to his people. Isn’t that great news! Jesus is the pathway
to wisdom. Demons only lead to death. Jesus brings true, everlasting life.

Read Matthew 7:7-8
• According to this verse, do you think God would give wisdom if you asked him?
• Is there any bitterness in your life right now that you need to repent of?
• Is there any selfishness in your life right now that you need to repent of?

Prayer
Our Father, we know that you have defeated the Devil and his minions when you died for our
sins and rose again from the dead. We don’t want to be on their team. We want to be on your
team. We know that they love to deceive us into thinking that our sin is the best pathway to life.
But we confess now that you have all the power over them and when we are aligned with you
wisdom will flow from our lives. We thank for these truths! In Jesus’ name, Amen.