The Greek adjective daemoniódes means demonic, devilish, or characteristic of demons. It appears only once in the New Testament (James 3:15), describing a type of 'wisdom' that is earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. The word characterizes something that resembles or originates in demonic activity rather than divine wisdom.
James 3:15 presents a stark taxonomy: there is wisdom from above (pure, peaceable, gentle, merciful) and wisdom from below (earthly, unspiritual, demonic). The daemoniódes wisdom is associated with 'bitter envy and selfish ambition' (3:14) that brings 'disorder and every evil practice' (3:16). Theologically, the word warns that not all impressive-sounding wisdom is from God — some reasoning, however clever, has the spirit of demons behind it. The test is fruit: God's wisdom produces peace and righteousness; demonic wisdom produces rivalry and chaos.