Wisdom

James 3:17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.

One of the themes of the book of James chapter 3 is wisdom. He mentions two things in the verse that precede our focal passage for the day. He says points out that meekness accompanies true wisdom. James also mentions that wisdom has only one source....GOD!

Then in this verse he makes a connection that I am not sure we often make when we think about wisdom. He points out the relationship between certain qualities, (namely holiness, good attitude, good behavior, pleasant disposition) and wisdom from above. From above is a careful distinction that James is making. He is giving characteristics of the wisdom from above, that is, wisdom from God. If it does not possess these characteristics then it is not wisdom.

Let me unpack here what James is saying to us. If you see someone that is not holy they don't have wisdom from above. If you see someone that is not a peace maker but always stirring something up, they don't have the wisdom of God. If someone is not gentle, but instead they are harsh and mean, they do not have the wisdom of God. Unreasonable people do not have the wisdom of God and they always demand their own way no matter what (and get nasty, back biting, and gossipy when they don't get it). If someone is not full of mercy, but is quick to judge they don't have the wisdom of God. If someone is not faithful to God but is constantly wavering in their faith, they do not have the wisdom of God. If someone is hypocritical, they do not have the wisdom of God.

Now let's consider what someone is who has no wisdom? They are a fool. Strife stirring, mean, harsh, unreasonable, judgmental, self centered, nasty, gossipy, unfaithful people are fools. Don't be a fool. Learn to know wisdom.