James 3:15

An Understandable Version (2005 edition)

This “wisdom” is not the kind that comes from [God] above, but is earthly, unspiritual and demonic [i.e., it is motivated by an evil spirit and not the Holy Spirit].

Cross References

Luke 16:8

So, his master commended the dishonest property manager for his shrewdness. For worldly people are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of light [i.e., God’s people].

John 3:17

For God did not send His Son into the world to be its judge [i.e., to condemn it], but [rather] so that the people of the world could be saved [from condemnation] though Him.

John 8:44

You belong to your father the devil, and you are [always] wanting to do what your father desires. He was a murderer from the [very] beginning [Note: This is probably a reference to Satan’s influence on Adam, Eve and Cain in the Garden of Eden] and does not stand for the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he only speaks what is part of his nature, because he is a liar and the father of [all] liars.

Acts 13:10

and said, “You child of the devil; you enemy of all that is right; you are full of deceit and every kind of evil [thing]. When will you stop perverting the right ways of the Lord?

Romans 1:22

They claimed to be wise, but became fools,

1 Corinthians 1:27

But God chose what the world considers foolish [i.e., people with little apparent ability], in order to shame the “wise people.” And He chose what the world considers weak in order to shame what it considers strong.

1 Corinthians 2:14

Now the natural person [Note: Since this person is contrasted with the spiritual person of verse 15, it is taken here to mean the person without the Holy Spirit] does not receive the things [i.e., truths] revealed by the Holy Spirit of God, because they are [considered] foolishness to him. And he cannot understand them because they must be discerned by using spiritual judgment [i.e., judgment aided by the Holy Spirit].

1 Corinthians 3:19

For this world’s “wisdom” is foolishness to God. For it is written [Job 5:13], “He [i.e., God] catches wise people in their cleverness.”

1 Corinthians 3:3

for you are still worldly [minded]. And since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, is that not evidence that you are [still] worldly and living like [unspiritual] people?

2 Corinthians 1:12

For this is what we boast of: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially toward you, in holiness and godly sincerity, not with human wisdom, but with the favor of God.

2 Corinthians 11:3

But I am afraid that somehow, just as the snake tricked Eve by his cunning, your minds might[also] be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ.

Philippians 3:19

Their [ultimate] end is [spiritual] destruction; their god is their appetite; they boast of what they ought to be ashamed of, and they [constantly] think about worldly things.

2 Thessalonians 2:9

The coming [of this lawless person] is according to the work of Satan, [and will be] attended by all kinds of powerful [i.e., miraculous] signs and false wonders,

1 Timothy 4:1

Now the Holy Spirit specifically says that in later times [Note: “Later times” in the New Testament usually refers to the period following the first coming of Christ and the establishment of the church], some people will fall away from the faith [i.e., the true teaching of Christianity]. They will pay attention to deceitful spirits [i.e., lying people] and the teaching of evil spirits.

James 1:17

Every good [thing that is given] and every perfect gift [received] is from above, coming down from the Father of [heavenly] lights, with whom there can be no change or shifting shadow [i.e., God always remains the same].

James 1:5

But if any one of you lacks wisdom, he should pray to God, who gives to everyone generously and does not begrudge [the person who asks], and it will be given to him.

James 3:17

But the [true] wisdom, which is from [God] above, is first of all pure, then peace-loving, patient and easily persuaded. [It is] full of mercy and produces a crop of good deeds; [it is] impartial [or, unwavering] and sincere.

Jude 1:19

These are people who cause divisions [among God’s people]; they follow their natural inclinations [i.e., worldly principles], for they do not have the Holy Spirit [in their lives].

Revelation 12:9

Then the great dragon was thrown out [of heaven]; he is the snake from ancient times who is [also] called “the Devil,” and “Satan,” the deceiver of the entire world. He was thrown down to earth along with his angels.

Revelation 2:24

But I say to all the rest of you there in Thyatira who have not followed this [false] teaching [See verse 20], that is, those who have not known ‘the deep things of Satan,’ as people call them --- I will not burden you with anything else [i.e., beyond this problem about Jezebel’s false teaching].

Revelation 9:11

They had a king over them who was the angel of the deep pit [See verses 1-2]. His name in Hebrew was “Abaddon,” and in Greek it was “Apollyon” [Note: These words both mean “Destroyer”].