◄ What Does James 3:17 Mean? ►

James was a man who gave the Church much good advice. He reminded believers that God is generous to all and will give wisdom willingly and uncritically to everyone who asks Him for it, in faith. He expands his treatise on wisdom by contrasting the wisdom of the world with the wisdom that comes from above, and pointing out that true wisdom is demonstrated by a man's good and gracious conduct, by his noble works, and by his gracious conversation. James also adds that true wisdom flows from a heart that is gentle and a spirit that demonstrates true humility.

But if a believer tries to hide behind a veneer of heavenly wisdom or puts on a pretence of humility while harbouring bitter jealousies and selfish ambitions within their hearts, they are living a lie and being false to the truth, for to adopt a false façade of godly wisdom is really an exhibition of a hypocritical, carnal nature and a worldly attitude.

How different is the wisdom that comes from the Spirit of God, for it is pure and peace-loving, considerate, gentle, and submissive. The man or woman that has been filled with the wisdom from God is the one that is full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.

Every one of us that submits to the Lord in faith has generous access to the wisdom of God, for the one that walks in spirit and truth will be the one that exhibits the sweet character of Christ, as we rest in Him and He lives in us.

In these increasingly violent days in which we live, let us take the words of James to heart, relying on the pure wisdom of God to lead and instruct us, enabling us to produce good fruit, being considerate, sincere, merciful, impartial, and peace-loving. Let us occupy until He comes, telling out the glorious truth of the gospel of salvation, with gentleness and respect to all we meet: "Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness."

Loving Father, I pray that my life is one that demonstrates Your wisdom from above. May I reflect the pure, gentle, and merciful nature of Jesus as I show forth His life in me. In Jesus' name, AMEN.