earthly – Ministry of Grace Church

This is not the wisdom descending from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic.

Truth to Learn

The wisdom possessed by some teachers in our churches today is earthly wisdom. Unlike godly wisdom, it has no heavenly source.

Behind the Words

The word translated “descending” is katerchomai, which is made up of kata, meaning “down” and erchomai, meaning “to come” or “to go.” It is expressed here as a participle, so the opening of this verse is translated as, “This is not the wisdom descending from above.”

There are three other words that we need to look at as well: earthly, sensual, and demonic. The first, “earthly,” is from the Greek word epigeios, which literally means “upon the ground.” Hence, it refers to things which are earthly rather than heavenly.

“Sensual” is translated from the Greek word psuchicos, which comes from the Greek psuche, or psyche, and refers to “the soul.” In other words, it is that part of us which is neither body nor spirit. Therefore it is often used as a reference to the sensual part of our being.

Lastly, the word “demonic” is from the Greek word daimoniōdēs, which is derived from daimonion, the Greek word for “a demon” or “a fallen angel.” Hence daimoniōdēs means “it has the characteristics of a demon, It is demonic.

Meaning Explained

Keep in mind that James is talking about teachers in the church. In verse thirteen he implied that teachers need to be the wise ones in the church. But it is a heavenly wisdom which he is talking about, not an earthly wisdom. It is a wisdom that is demonstrated by meekness and works; the kind of works that James talked about in chapter two. These are works which come from a heart that is blind to riches and is honoring to all.

But, James says if you are bitter and argumentative, you don’t have the wisdom you need to be a teacher. Instead, he says your so-called wisdom is contrary to heavenly wisdom (it is earthly), contrary to spiritual wisdom (it is soulish and sensual), and contrary to Holy wisdom (it is demonic). This type of wisdom does not come down from God, rather it is a wisdom steeped in the present world system. Boy, talk about in-your-face!

This type of wisdom produces behavior which is envious and which causes strife. It is earthly and self-seeking, rather than heavenly and God-honoring. Here’s how Paul described this behavior in his first letter to the Corinthians:

for you are still fleshly. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not fleshly and behaving like men? (1 Corinthians 3:3)

Application

It is a good thing to want to be used by God. Our highest calling is to be His most humble servants. But, that means serving God in the manner, and in the position, which He chooses for us. It doesn’t matter how hard you are working in God’s kingdom if you are doing what you want and doing it for yourself instead of doing what He has called you to and doing it for His glory!

In God's service, for His glory,

2 Peter 3:11

Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives

Truth to Learn

We are either of the earthly family or the heavenly family. No one can be a member of both.

Behind the Words

The words “what kind of people” come from potapos, made up of the interrogative poios, meaning “what such” or “what sort” and a modified form of dapedon, meaning “a soil.” Actually, potapos is a corruption of the earlier podapos which meant, “From what country?” Hence, potapos is asking the question, “What kind of people?” but it is implying, “Are you earthly or are you heavenly?”

Meaning Explained

In light of the fact that the world will be judged by fire and all that remains of this earthly realm will go up in flames, we should focus our intentions on righteousness and holy living.

I can remember years ago being in a business management class in which we were all trying to figure out what our real goal in life was to be. We were told to imagine our own funeral, and we were to write our own eulogy, saying all those things for which we wanted to be remembered. Although a really good exercise in helping a person focus on what’s really the central driving ambition in life, it served primarily to help people focus on themselves and on what they wanted.

All the earthly ambitions of everyone in that room, everything written down in those eulogies, every accomplishment, every accolade, and every monument erected in honor of someone in that room will be “let loose” and will burn up completely until there is nothing left but the smell of smoke.

Jesus, in his sermon on the mount in Matthew 6:19-21, said this about earthly riches,

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Peter is saying essentially the same thing in today’s verse. Each of us will stand before the judge of all mankind some day. Those who have rejected Him will stand condemned and will be cast into the lake of fire to be tormented eternally. We who have accepted Christ as Lord and Savior will stand in Christ’s righteousness with our sins forgiven. However, we will still have our works judged, and those who have done God’s bidding in this life will receive crowns as rewards for their faithfulness and service. Any who have accepted the salvation that was offered them in this life but who have squandered their time here in self indulgence and self satisfaction, will enter into glory with nothing to offer the King of Kings.

Application

Will you be ushered into the glorious presence of the King or will you be cast into the lake of fire?

If you are ushered into the presence of the King, will you have anything to offer Him?

In God’s service, for His glory,

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Ministry of Grace Church

Tag: earthly

James 3:15 – Not Worldly Wise

2 Peter 3:11 – Earthly or Heavenly?