The Wise, the Unwise, and the Otherwise (Part 2)

In this continued study of James 3, Chuck Swindoll contrasts the barren “desert” of the human heart with the lush “garden” produced by divine wisdom. Picking up where the previous message left off, Swindoll reiterates that natural, earthly wisdom is characterized by jealousy and selfish ambition, which James describes as “demonic” and “disorderly”,. To produce a harvest of righteousness, the believer requires something unnatural to the human condition: the “living water” of the Holy Spirit.

Focusing on James 3:17–18, Swindoll dissects the seven specific characteristics of wisdom from above. He explains that true wisdom is pure (free from defilement), peaceable (healing rather than abrasive), gentle (willing to yield rights), reasonable (teachable), full of mercy and good fruits (compassion in action), unwavering (principled), and without hypocrisy (sincere).

Using the illustration of the arid Libyan desert being transformed by deep wells of water, Swindoll argues that we cannot manufacture these qualities on our own. Instead, we must allow God to pipe the life-giving water of the Spirit into our parched souls,. The message concludes with a call to be instruments of peace, sowing seeds of harmony to reap a harvest of righteousness.

Message Key Facts:

• The Libyan Desert Illustration: Swindoll describes a documentary showing a lush, green square of fruit trees growing in the middle of the scorched Libyan desert. This miracle was achieved by sinking deep wells to bring water to the surface. It serves as a picture of how the Holy Spirit (the water) transforms the barren human heart (the desert) [4–8].
• Purity is Priority: James lists purity “first,” which Swindoll notes means first in importance, not just order. It refers to freedom from defilement in both morals and motives,.
• Ludwig Richter’s Formula: Swindoll shares a story about German painter Ludwig Richter, whose mother taught him to handle temptation by repeating the Beatitude: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God”.
• The Definition of “Gentle”: This Greek word is difficult to translate but implies “tolerance” or “strength under control.” Swindoll defines the gentle person as one who knows when to relax the letter of the law—someone who refuses to stand on their legal rights if doing so is morally wrong or un-Christian.
• “Reasonable” means Teachable: The word translated “reasonable” appears only here in the New Testament and means “easily persuaded.” It describes a person who is not stubborn or obstinate but is open to reason and willing to yield.
• Abraham and Lot: Swindoll uses Genesis 13 as a classic example of being “reasonable.” Abraham, though the elder with the authority to choose, allowed his nephew Lot to choose the best land to avoid strife.
• Mercy for the Guilty: While human pity is often reserved for the innocent victim, Swindoll clarifies that biblical mercy is an attitude of compassion toward those who caused their own problems and actually deserve punishment.
• The Actor’s Mask: The Greek word for hypocrisy comes from the theater, describing an actor who changes masks to play different parts (comedy and tragedy). A hypocrite is someone who plays two different roles, blowing “hot and cold” with the same mouth [23–25].

Message References:

• James 3:17–18: The primary text outlining the seven characteristics of wisdom from above and the harvest of righteousness.
• James 3:14–16: The context describing earthly wisdom as jealous, ambitious, natural, and demonic.
• Genesis 13: The account of Abraham and Lot separating, illustrating the quality of being “reasonable” and peaceable.
• Matthew 5:8: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”
• John 7:38: A reference to the “living water” of the Savior.
• Isaiah 35:1: A prophetic reference to the desert blossoming like a rose.

Message Speaker:

Pastor Chuck Swindoll