WISDOM... - James 3:17

If you asked ten different people "what is wisdom?", you would get ten different answers.  Today, wisdom is a lot of different things.  Like most of the issues of the day, we must all use some form of standard for what we think and do.  The Bible is full of references to wisdom...in fact, just for starters read the book of Ecclesiastes...12 short chapters full of guidance of what wisdom is and what it is not. I love especially 2:26...one of my alltime favorite verses:

To the person who pleases him,

God gives wisdom, knowledge

and happiness...

 

Who could ask for more? So, if one chooses to make the Bible your standard (and I do!), let's look at James 3:17 to see what it says about wisdom .  Even then there seems to have been some controversy over what wisdom was and he is quick to tell us what it is not.  Listen to what The Message says about "earthly" wisdom (14-16):

 

Mean-spirited ambition isn't wisdom.

Boasting that you are wise isn't wisdom.

Twisting the truth to make yourselves

sound wise isn't wisdom. 

 

No, here is what James, the brother of Jesus, said wisdom is:

 

...heavenly - the world says we have the ability to discern or judge - oh heavens...thank you, Lord,

that wisdom comes from you!

...pure - unpolluted by worldly ambitions or selfishness

...peaceloving - if at all possible, we work at getting along with others

...kind - we are considerate of others and work at being positive in others' lives

...merciful - we recognize the mercies we have been given and therefore, we are merciful

...fruitful - Jesus tells us to bear fruit that lasts (John 15:16) - that means we allow the Holy Spirit to develop His attributes in us (Gal. 5:22-23)

...sincere - we genuinely care about others and are genuine in our relationships

 

How wise are you?

 

For further study:  Psalm 111:10, Proverbs 3:7,  Proverbs 31:26, Daniel 12:3, Matt. 11:19,  Romans 11:33-36, 1 Cor. 1:25, Ephesians 1:7-10,  Colossians 2:3, 2 Tim. 3:14-15, James 1:5

 

Be blessed in your understanding of God's will.

 

Love,

Holly