For where envy and self seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. (17) But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. (18) Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. (4:1) Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? (2) You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. (3) Yet you do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.

James, the half brother of Jesus and the head of the church in Jerusalem, wrote this letter to churches of that ancient world which were experiencing conflict and not dealing with just hypothetical situations. James was showing how God’s wisdom will lead to harmonious relationships in contrast with “worldly” wisdom which inevitably leads to conflict. James writes that the source of God’s wisdom is from above and we will only attain it by seeking God and the truth of His word. God’s wisdom is pure, unanalyzed untainted, free from any jealousy or selfish ambition. Seekers of this wisdom must be motivated always to glorify God and to build up the person to whom we are speaking. God’s wisdom is peaceable in all relationships. We should never compromise doctrinal purity or essential truth, neither should we fight over minor matters where godly people differ. Godly wisdom is gentle and a man/woman with this quality knows how to forgive when strict justice gives him/her the right to condemn. That God’s wisdom is reasonable does not mean men are gullible but are willing to defer to another as long as a core doctrine or moral principle is not at stake.

God is merciful to us in spite of the fact that our problems usually stem from our own sin and rebellion. Godly wisdom is not theoretical but practical. It is unwavering and we cannot be a friend of the world and God at the same time. Worldly wisdom produces conflict and is rooted in bitter jealousy and selfish ambition, both dealing with hidden motives of our hearts. It is arrogant, prideful, earthly, natural and demonic. (The word natural in the Bible is always used negatively as opposed to spiritual things.)

James advised judging our selfish motives to resolve conflicts – we will not resolve conflict until we correctly identify the source of it. Our prayer life – or lack thereof reveals the focus of our hearts. The focus of the person who does not pray is toward self, not God.