“But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, and demonic.”
James 3:14-15 (NIV).
The above scripture discloses earthly wisdom as “unspiritual”, “demonic” and full of “bitter envy and selfish ambition”. These are the activities of the flesh displayed with a carnal mindset (Romans 6:8), driven by demonic forces. This wisdom is expressed in boastful words of arrogance. This earthly wisdom is also devilish, meaning there is a demonic force that drives it. It brings about confusion, because where there is bitter envying, you will find confusion and disorder. The Bible says, “For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints” 1 Corinthians 14:33 (KJV). In earthly wisdom is all kinds of evil work, because where you have strife, there you will find every evil work.
The evidence of earthly wisdom is bitter envying. Envy is resentment or a hateful dislike of the good fortune or blessing of another. It is full of strife, which stems from selfish ambition seeking professional gain at the expense of another. Earthly wisdom is also self-deceptive because it denies the truth (i.e. the Word of God) and allows one to believe a false idea, feeling, or situation as the truth. If you find yourself expressing envy, selfish ambitions, and doing things contrary to the Word of God, you are walking according to earthly wisdom, which is of the devil. This is the kind of wisdom that destroys relationships, homes, ministries, businesses, and careers. This kind of wisdom also results in making the wrong choices and creates resentment, unforgiveness, bitterness, and so forth (see Galatians 5:19-21). These are the works of wisdom, expressed through the flesh, controlled by the devil. Those of us in Christ are no longer ruled by the flesh or the senses, but we are transformed by the renewing of our mind through the Word of God, who is Christ, our Wisdom.
PRAYER / CONFESSION
Dear Father, I thank you that I have the mind of Christ and I am spiritually minded, and leaving a life of peace with prosperity, bearing fruits of righteousness for your glory in the name of the Lord Jesus.
WISDOM NUGGET “To be carnally minded is death” Romans 6:8 (KJV).