James 3:17 KJV
But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
The wisdom from above can be defined as having two characteristics, purity and peaceable (each of the descriptors given after peaceable give more detail about being peaceable.)
But the passage says that the wisdom that is from above is first pure. In other words, if it is not pure, it is not from above even if it is peaceable. The qualifier for its being from above is that it is pure. Without this purity it is not from above regardless of whatever other good things it might be.
I am remind that the Bible says, "If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men."[1] It is not always possible and the thing that makes it not possible is that we must first be pure, holy and separate from sinners.
The standard for whether something is from God or not is - is it pure. And the measuring rod for purity must not be our opinions but the Word of God. If anything is in conflict with the Word of God, no matter what other good things might be said about it, it is not from above, it is earthly, sensual and devilish. It may appear to have accomplished wonderful things, but if it is not pure according to the Word of God, it is not from above.
Purity, according to God's standard must be the qualifier. Otherwise it "descendeth not from above."
[1] Romans 12:18
But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
The wisdom from above can be defined as having two characteristics, purity and peaceable (each of the descriptors given after peaceable give more detail about being peaceable.)
But the passage says that the wisdom that is from above is first pure. In other words, if it is not pure, it is not from above even if it is peaceable. The qualifier for its being from above is that it is pure. Without this purity it is not from above regardless of whatever other good things it might be.
I am remind that the Bible says, "If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men."[1] It is not always possible and the thing that makes it not possible is that we must first be pure, holy and separate from sinners.
The standard for whether something is from God or not is - is it pure. And the measuring rod for purity must not be our opinions but the Word of God. If anything is in conflict with the Word of God, no matter what other good things might be said about it, it is not from above, it is earthly, sensual and devilish. It may appear to have accomplished wonderful things, but if it is not pure according to the Word of God, it is not from above.
Purity, according to God's standard must be the qualifier. Otherwise it "descendeth not from above."
[1] Romans 12:18
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