Most Christian business owners I know pray for wisdom all the time. We ask God for clarity on hiring, firing, partnerships, growth, cash flow, even where to spend our time this week. But James 3:13–18 gives us an important filter: not all “wisdom” is the same. There is wisdom from above, and there is wisdom from the world. Both can sound smart. Both can look strategic. But they lead to very different fruit in our lives, our teams, and our companies.
James says that heavenly wisdom doesn’t start with being the smartest person in the room. It starts with a certain kind of life: humble, gentle, pure, peace-loving, considerate, teachable, and full of mercy and love. It’s not weak or passive; it is strength submitted to the Holy Spirit. The original word for “gentle” here carries the idea of being “easy to correct, ready to be convinced, willing to yield to others.” That’s not how the world trains leaders to show up.
Also, imagine walking into a staff meeting with that posture: “I have an opinion, and also I’m here to listen. I’m open to being wrong. I want God’s best, not just my idea.” Over time, that kind of heart creates a culture marked by trust, honesty, and peace. People feel safe to speak up. Good ideas surface. And decisions line up more closely with God’s heart.
Heavenly wisdom also shows up in how we handle pressure. When trials come, when numbers dip, when a key person leaves, we get exposed. James ties heavenly wisdom to purity and endurance—the kind of character that has gone through fire and come out refined. This doesn’t mean we never feel stretched or unsure. It means that underneath the swirling questions, there’s a deeper peace: God is still God. I don’t have to grasp, spin, or manipulate outcomes to protect myself. Heavenly wisdom lets you move forward with courage without carrying an anxious, fearful spirit. You’re still strategic, but you’re not driven by panic.
On the other side, James gives a very different picture of earthly wisdom. He describes it as rooted in jealousy, selfish ambition, competition, bragging, and exaggeration. In business, this can look very “normal”: making decisions just to keep up with a competitor, padding our language to make things sound better than they are, pushing hard so we don’t “fall behind,” or building a brand that’s more about our image than God’s glory. The world applauds this and calls it hustle, drive, or “doing what it takes.” But James uses a much stronger word. He calls it “devilish”—a wisdom that looks sharp on the surface but is actually fueled by the wrong spirit. The original meaning even connects it to idolatry: trusting and worshiping our own ideas, plans, and status instead of God.
That’s sobering for us as Christian leaders. James says that where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, you will find disorder and “every kind of meanness.” In other words, if we build on earthly wisdom, we shouldn’t be surprised when our culture starts to crack. Gossip increases. Trust breaks down. People compete instead of collaborate. Decisions become reactive and fear-based. We may still grow in revenue or reach for a season, but the root system is rotten. As leaders, this means wisdom is not just a “leadership skill.” It’s a worship issue. Who am I actually listening to? What is driving my choices—fear of missing out, desire to look successful, or a sincere desire to honor God?
At The Foundry Advisory, we believe business owners are stewards of what God has placed in their hands. That means we can’t afford to treat wisdom casually. Heavenly wisdom changes how we show up in rooms, how we build our teams, how we talk about our wins, and how we navigate our losses. It looks like a CEO who is willing to admit, “I don’t know,” and invite counsel. It looks like a founder who slows down a “great opportunity” because they sense the Holy Spirit saying “not yet.” It looks like a team culture where people are encouraged to bring truth to the table, not just agreement. Our peer advisory groups are designed to be spaces where this kind of wisdom can be tested, practiced, and sharpened in real time with others who also want God’s voice to lead the way.
If you’re reading this and feeling convicted, that’s a gift. The goal isn’t shame; the goal is alignment. All of us drift toward earthly wisdom when we’re tired, afraid, or distracted. The good news is that God doesn’t withhold wisdom from those who ask in faith. He invites us to come back, to repent of relying on our own understanding, and to choose again to be people who are “easy to correct, ready to be convinced, willing to yield.” As we do, we’ll see what James promises: “a harvest of righteousness” sown in peace by those who make peace—not just in our personal lives, but in the businesses and communities we lead.
Reflection questions:
- Where have you seen heavenly wisdom (gentle, pure, peace-filled, teachable, loving) at work in your life or business lately? What specific fruit points to that?
- Where do you notice earthly wisdom—comparison, jealousy, boasting, or self-protection—shaping your decisions or leadership right now?
- If you entered your next key meeting “easy to correct, ready to be convinced, willing to yield,” what would actually look different in how you listen, speak, and decide?
- Looking at the voices and content that most shape your thinking (books, podcasts, mentors, social feeds), what is one practical shift toward heavenly wisdom the Holy Spirit may be inviting you to make this week?
