Who is wise and understanding among you? –James 3:13a
Wisdom. Let me tell you, I need some wisdom! I am often reminded of this as I falteringly navigate the years-long task of bringing up my three young children. If it is not children that need love and care in your life, it is assuredly something else calling out your need for wisdom that comes from some resource greater than your limited self!
Scripture tells us that there are two different places we can look for wisdom. We can look below for earthly solutions, or we can look above for heavenly ones.
It should seem obvious on a Christian blog that the conclusion in this short article will tell you to look above for the heavenly solution. But the big problem is we live here and now on the earth. And while we are on the earth, the voices of earthly wisdom call out to us much more loudly than the still, small voice of the Spirit of God.
For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. –James 3:16
While we live here amongst the loud voice of earthly wisdom, our default setting tends toward what Scripture calls “earthly” wisdom. James says that earthly wisdom looks like jealousy, selfish ambition, and chaos; and gives way toward every sort of evil.
Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! – Psalm 133:1
The opposite of jealousy and selfish ambition, dwelling together in unity! How good and pleasant is this wisdom from above. We are told that this type of wisdom is sown in peace.
If you know Jesus, then this description of the wisdom from above should be starting to look familiar. Wisdom is not merely a list of attractive attributes. Wisdom looks like a person. Christ himself is our wisdom from above!
What situation in your life needs the wisdom from above? What relationship needs the wisdom that is peaceable, gentle, and open to reason? Ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach!
He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? –Romans 8:32
