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This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, soulical, demonic. (James 3:15)

This wisdom is not that which comes down from above. The (σοφία sophia) referred here is fleshly or worldly wisdom, which creates conflict and arguments. This type of knowledge brings haughtiness, conceitedness, which will cause the man to lose his temper to defend his opinions with over-heated, demented zeal. We see this kind of situation unfold on social media like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube, but in the real world as well. It even happens in the church, in our communities, families, on public transportation, especially political events. We even have it in theological disputes. We see much of it today on liberal, progressive, so-called woke news channels like CNN, MSNBC, NBC, CBS, ABC, and liberal podcasts, YouTube channels. Furthermore, we have the expression of enraged and petulant, grumpy, irritable feeling, where there is often much of this kind of wisdom. Some of these people are highly educated from such institutions as Harvard, Columbia, Yale, Princeton. They are learned, shrewd, supposedly logical and reasonable, skilled in rhetoric, skillful in argumentation, which means nothing when they possess so narrow, bigoted, and contentious mental disposition to show clearly that their wisdom does not come down from above. If it were from above, the spirit would be associated with gentleness, calmness, and a love of the truth.

Wisdom of bitter jealousy and selfish ambition does not come down from heaven (i.e., from above), as “every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father.” (Jam. 1:17) God tells us through the prophet Jeremiah, “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am Jehovah who exercises loyal love, justice, and righteousness on earth, for I delight in these things.” (Jer. 9:23-24) Some who profess to be teachers of God’s Word. Yet, they are looking out for themselves alone (self-seeking), they are not servants of God.

Earthly (ἐπίγειος epigeios) means that this wisdom is not from the Father in heaven, but rather from imperfect humanity, who is alienated from God. This wisdom has its origins in Satan’s world of fallen, imperfect humans alienated from God, who are governed by worldly extremisms and principles. As Paul said, “Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?” (1 Corinthians 1:20) Such earthly wisdom may result from great learning, sharpness, skill, and logical reasoning that appears outward to be reasonable and may be difficult to counter. However, let us keep in mind what Paul said,

1 Corinthians 2:1-5 Updated American Standard Version (UASV)

2 And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God. ²For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. ³And I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling, ⁴and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, ⁵so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God.[1]

Soulical (ψυχικός psuchikos, lit. “of the soul”) means that this wisdom is not spiritual. It has its origin in our sensual rather than intellectual and moral character. Our mind is guided by our fleshly appetites, inclinations, tendencies, mental bentness, treacherous heart, and natural desire to do bad. It is not driven by the wisdom above. This wisdom belongs to the natural person, not the spiritual person. Wisdom derived from bitter jealousy and selfish ambition is not from one who is being guided in his life by God’s Spirit-inspired Word. “It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit.” (Jude 1:9) Therefore, in being denoted as “animal,” or soulical, this wisdom comes from fleshly feelings, cravings, and leanings.

Demonic (δαιμονιώδης daimoniōdēs) means here that this person’s spirit (mental disposition is demonic, as demons have a similar spirit. Such as the demons display. Thus, this person possesses fruitage of Satan’s mindset, way of thinking: selfish, prideful, and ambitious. (1 Tim. 3:6) Of course, in this fallen world, it may come across as though there is some benefit in it. However, the reality is the combination of evil desires, leading to contention, strife, division, and every evil imaginable. In other words, this wisdom does not just come from humans who are a lower lifeform but is directly from their being mentally bent toward evil, inundated and catered to by Satan’s rule over the earth, which opposes God. So this wisdom comes from their “father the devil, and [their] will is to do [their] father’s desires.” (John 8:44) Of course, Satan and the angels, who rebelled and rejected the sovereignty of God, have wisdom, and believe in God as they were created by him and have seen him,[2] truly knowing of his almighty power. However, their wisdom is being guided by desires that are contrary to God’s will and purposes, so it must be avoided. – 1 Corinthians 10:20–21; 1 Timothy 4:1.

[1] Warning: Many times, religious leaders will downplay the importance of biblical knowledge, as though it were unnecessary. This just is not the case. Even though Paul said the above, he has the knowledge and the skill to debate, explain, reason, and overcome argumentation from the leading Greek philosophers of his day.

[2] Yes, God created the spirit creature, who would rebel and become Satan (resister) the Devil (slanderer). However, God did not create this spirit creature evil or wicked, this is something that he become by entertaining wrong desires, until they became fertile, leading to the sin where he rebelled.