Living Wisely

Chuckle: Why is it that you always find what you're looking for in the last place you look? Duh!!

Quote: "Wisdom is the ability to discern God's hand in human circumstances and to apply heavenly judgments to earthly situations." --John Blanchard

LIVING WISELY James 3:13-18

"Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him/her show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom" (James 3:13 NIV). "Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?" (I Corinthians 1:20-21 NIV).

In chapter 1, James tells us to ask God when we need wisdom. He also says that God will give it to us if we pray in faith, believing that we will receive it. How often do you and I ask God for wisdom in dealing with issues in our lives? Here in chapter 3, James takes us further into the understanding of the wisdom that comes from God. He says that true wisdom is reflected by how we live. James says that living wisely with others indicates we are maturing spiritually. You can evaluate your wisdom by your actions.

Wisdom is the ability to see life as God sees it, and act accordingly. It is God's will in action. According to James 3:13-18, there are two basic kinds of wisdom; earthly (worldly) wisdom and heavenly (divine) wisdom. Earthly wisdom is marked by "bitter envy and selfish ambition . . . Such wisdom does not come down from heaven, but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil." Heavenly (divine) wisdom is "first of all pure, then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere" (James 3:14-17 NIV).

It's important to know how to relate to others with wisdom and understanding. James sums this up in verse 18 "Those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of goodness." Every day, we sow seeds; either envy, jealousy, hate, or strife - or seeds of peace, harmony, love, and joy. And what we sow, we also reap in our relationships with others. James says two important things about wisdom.

1. It must be a lifestyle. It can't be just words we say about wisdom. "Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done from wisdom" (vs. 13). It's much more than wise words -- it's how we live.

2. It is from God himself. "But the wisdom that comes from heaven . . ." (vs. 17). The kind of wisdom God wants us to have is of the supernatural variety and comes through revelations from God through His Word and Holy Spirit.

If we depend upon God every day, He will continue to give us wisdom. There is always confusion and disorder in our lives if we depend upon our own wisdom or that of those around us. For example: a couple is having marital problems. The man goes to work and talks to all of his cronies about it. They say: well, you ought to do this, or you ought to do that. The wife does the same thing and gets similar earthly wisdom that often leads to bad decisions. We all need wisdom from God if our decisions are to honor Him and encourage others.

 

Love, Jerry & Dotse