The Marks of True Wisdom
- Shawna Jones
- May 5, 2023
- 2 min read
(4-29-23)
"(13) Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. (14) But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. (15) This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. (16) For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. (17) But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. (18) And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace."
What are the marks of true wisdom?
When speaking to Jewish Christians of the early Church in Jerusalem, James, a key leader in the Church, explains that whether someone is truly wise or not is shown through how they live. Those who were truly wise among his audience should be living lives that were holy and pleasing to God. This is because true wisdom is found in the fear of God (Prov. 9:10) and that fear of God should've led the believers to humble themselves before Him and submit to Him. James then goes on to make the distinction between worldly wisdom and true wisdom when he speaks more of the fruits of each. While jealousy and selfish ambition are manifested through worldly wisdom, true wisdom leads to gentleness, impartiality, sincereness, and peaceableness.
As Jesus' disciples in the world today, we must present ourselves with the godly wisdom that James speaks of here. It is important that we let the fear of God lead us to live in a way pleasing to God while turning away from every evil behavior that isn't befitting of how we should live as His children. It is through watching how we live that we will be able to live as truly wise in the world.
God, Creator of the heavens and the earth, please give me wisdom and help me to live according to the wisdom that is from above. Help me to fear You and to seek to please You in all that I do. Be glorified through me. Thank You for all that You do for me.
In Jesus' Name, I pray, Amen.
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