Want to be Wise?

13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.(James 3)

James tells us to seek wisdom as we face the challenges of life (ch.1:5). Which sounds good but can leave Christians feeling a little like groping in the dark. After all how will we recognise 'wisdom' when it's given - as opposed to just more of our self-generated introspections?

Well thankfully James doesn't leave us in the dark but goes on in chapter 3 to describe the wisdom that comes from heaven. It immediately strikes you how different it is from our self-generated worldly wisdom. Our natural 'wisdom' is to rationalise how we can promote ourselves most effectively, or get our way in a situation, or make sure we are seen in the best possible light. Therein, this 'wisdom' tells us, we will find satisfaction - feel good about ourselves and achieve success. But James cuts through the all pious packaging and spin that so often goes with such an approach - its roots are in envy and selfish ambition, earthly, unspiritual, the mindset of the devil himself (v14-15).

Rather, God's wisdom will be recognizable by the following characteristics...
1. It's first of all pure
2. It's peace-loving
3. It's considerate
4. It's submissive
5. It's full of mercy & good fruit
6. It's impartial
7. It's sincere.

For some that will sound like a recipe for being walked over and achieving little. But actually it's the recipe for raising 'a harvest of righteouesness'. It is the wisdom of the Gospel - the very character of Jesus Himself.

If you want to be wise - write out these verses and meditate upon them.