Who is Wise?

Knowing it all is one thing; knowing the ONE who truly does know it all is another. --Buddah. James asks the question to which we’d all like to know the answer in James 3:13: “Who is wise and understanding among you?” Who DOESN’T want to know the right thing to do, the right thing to say, at just the right moment, and in just the right way? But how can I ever be like that? The answer lies much more in what I’m willing to TRUST God to do in my life than in how great I am.

The quick answer given in this text is: “By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.” How do you know if someone is wise?? He obeys God in meekness. Jesus put it this way: “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.”  (Mat 7:24) Follow with me in James 3:14 and following, where James gives us a few more details that describe heavenly wisdom.

Read James 3:14-18 and first what wisdom is NOT. What is bitter jealousy?...selfish ambition?  James, through inspiration, explains that where these characteristics exist, wisdom does not exist. Even more troubling than that: EVERY VILE PRACTICE can find its way into our lives through jealousy and selfishness. It is important to note that we ALL have varying degrees of these qualities…the question is, will we allow them to live in us without challenging them and working to get rid of them?

Wisdom IS: “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.” The best way to force evil out of our hearts is to replace it with good. (Rom 12:21) Think right now about some practical ways you could replace bitter jealousy and selfish ambition with one of the traits of “the wisdom from above.” Imagine your life with the positive changes and do what it takes to BECOME that person. With God all things are possible!

----Darrell Powell