Wisdom

James 3: 17-18

But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

How does wisdom and understanding manifest itself? James says by good conduct and meekness of wisdom. Good conduct would be living according to the dictates of Scripture and meekness of wisdom would be seeking the good of others first. James goes on to say that if people have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition [both of which seek only the good of self], but yet claim to be wise, they are liars. In truth they have nothing to boast about at all! All their boasting is a sham! A pretend, a claiming to be something that they are not. Wisdom that is characterized by jealousy and selfish ambition is not God's wisdom but is earthly, unspiritual and demonic. Where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. Wow! How did it get so bad so fast? When the door is open to evil, even just a little jealousy, then more evil follows until Satan has a heyday! And soon the spirit is consumed with seeking only what pleases self, a self that is never satisfied and must constantly have more.

But on the positive side, God's wisdom is pure, peaceable, gentle, open to reason, merciful, fruit-bearing, impartial and sincere. Wow! That is a stiff order. Who among us is all of these things? Probably no one, but the point is we are growing into this wisdom. At the first hint of jealousy, we confess. We get back on track. We don't let sin take prominence in our lives, but are consumed with growing more and more each day. Before long we will be harvesting righteousness when we ourselves are at peace and are peaceful with those around us. Each of the characteristics of God's wisdom need to be topics for meditation and prayer. 

• Pure would be the absence of sin, of anything that would taint. It would mean constant confessing and not letting things ride no matter how justified we feel.
• Peaceable would be thinking of others totally. It is when we want our own way that discord happens even within our own families. 
• Open to reason means not wanting our own plan and way. We become life-long listeners and learners. Quick to listen and accept other's ideas.
• Merciful means that we show others the same grace that God has shown us. We forgive them because God has forgiven us. 
• Fruit-bearing means we are growing in obedience every day. We are abiding in the vine because apart from Him we can do nothing. 
• Impartial means we do not show preference for some, but accept all the same regardless of economics, job, etc. 
• And sincere means we are without cracks that have been glossed over. We don't hide our shortcoming but acknowledge them. We don't act a certain way to others that is not in sync with our hearts. What we are is how we act. 

It's a narrow line that contains the wisdom of God, but the grace of God is as wide as it can be. He is always loving and forgiving. He will always pick us up and put us back on our feet. Thank God!

Father,

Thank You so much for Your grace. Grow me in Your wisdom. Help me to spot sin immediately and confess regardless of how I feel. Help me to change. Transform my heart. Make me more like Your Son.

In His name,

Amen