The last three verses spoke of what wisdom from below looks like:
But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. James 3:14-16 ESV
When commenting on James 3:14-15 and James 3:16, we concluded that the works of the flesh or the harvest of sowing to the sinful nature is earthly wisdom evidenced in; jealousy, selfish ambition, disorder, vile practice.
Today we see the wisdom that is from above. That is, the wisdom that God gives to the one who walks by means of the Holy Spirit.
For instance, we are not to put to death the works of the flesh by setting ourselves up with do’s and don’ts.
“Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch” (referring to things that all perish as they are used)—according to human precepts and teachings? These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh. Colossians 2:21-23 ESV
We have available to us (regenerated, believers) the Holy Spirit who is the means and power to put to death the deeds of the flesh.
For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. Romans 8:13 ESV
The reality is that the Holy Spirit and the sinful nature (flesh) are at odds with each other. When we are presented to the Holy Spirit, the means and power of the Holy Spirit are activated in our lives and He takes on the flesh and what results is; 1. We don’t fulfill the desires of the flesh (evidenced as selfish ambition and jealousy etc etc) 2. We have wisdom from above 3. The Spirit can produce His fruit which we bear 3. We please God.
So, the just man or woman [those who make peace] who sows to the Spirit [in peace] will reap the fruit of the Spirit [harvest of righteousness].
Why do we not have to serve the sin nature when it is such a dominated force?
We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin. Romans 6:6-7 ESV
So, when Christ died for us, He not only took care of our transgressions (sins) but also our sinful nature (sin) which is the root of the problem. Christ justified us from the legal condition we had as slaves to the sin nature. This means it has no right to rule in our lives. Though it did not die, we died to it being set free from the bond that tied us together. When we died, the legal condition of it’s right to rule us was removed. We have been purchased by another. We legally belong to another, Jesus Christ. He bought us with His blood. The truth of the matter is however, this does not become effective in our lives unless we count on it by faith (because His word says so). Abraham Lincoln decreed that all slaves were free in the emancipation proclamation. Many slaves set their tools down and walk away. Many however listened to the old master who managed to convince them that they would perish if they left their state of slavery and for fear did not leave. They never counted on the fact that they were judicially freed.
Many believers today remain enslaved to sin for fear that they have never been set free. The fact is, Jesus did everything that was necessary for our freedom when He died on the cross. He condemned sin in the flesh. If you will count on this by faith (that you died with Christ) and walk away from your old master, present yourself to God as one alive unto him you will begin to experience the purpose of your new nature, your new birthright as a son and heir of God.
For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1 ESV
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