The God-Kind of Wisdom – James 3:13
Years ago, not long after the Watergate scandal, the president of the University of Minnesota spoke to the graduating class of Notre Dame. He told them that nearly every offender in the Watergate scandal was a graduate of an Ivy-League school like Harvard. Then he asked them this question, “Where did we go wrong?”
Then he answered that question – “The sad fact is that there is no moral guidance anywhere in our public schools from kindergarten up to high school. The fear of contamination by religion is so great that there is no place in our schools for teaching what is right or wrong.”
Where do you get moral wisdom? In teaching how to control our tongues, in James 3, James gives us an idea of what the God-Kind of Wisdom looks like. Our thoughts are based on verse 17.
The God-Kind of Wisdom is – “from above” – “Without a closeness to God, any claim to wisdom is mistaken, untrue, and deceptive” (Roper, 73):
Pure – “clean in all respects” (Lenski, 618).
Jesus illustrates “pure” wisdom when He refuses to compromise the truth to save His life.
How can your behavior exhibit “pure” wisdom? In all your actions at home and at work, keep in mind God’s expectations of you. Don’t just react. Act under the guidance and knowledge of God’s word.
Peaceable – “it never starts quarrels, strife, dissension, and turbulence” (Lenski, 618).
Jesus illustrates “peaceable” wisdom when His apostles were arguing over who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven (Matt. 18:1-3).
How can your behavior exhibit “peaceable” wisdom? When you have a disagreement with your spouse, boss, or co-worker – and disagreements will come – de-escalate the conflict by humbly trying to see the disagreement from the other person’s perspective.
Gentle – “yielding toward inferiors, not insisting on strict rights” (Lenski, 618).
Jesus illustrates “gentle” wisdom at His trial before Annas (John 18:23).
How can your behavior exhibit “gentle” wisdom? When it is possible, yield to the desires of those who are below you. Listen to them.
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Jesus illustrates “reasonable” wisdom when He states in John 8:29 that He always did the things that are pleasing to the Father.
How can your behavior exhibit “reasonable” wisdom? Be open to the criticisms of others – even your children, your boss, your friends.
Full of mercy – Jesus is merciful, healing the blind men in Matthew 9 and the ten lepers in Luke 17.
How can your behavior exhibit “merciful” wisdom? Be responsive to those around you who need help.
Good fruits – When Peter preaches to Cornelius in Acts 10, he tells Cornelius that Jesus “went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil” (10:38).
How can your behavior exhibit “good-fruit” wisdom? Don’t just listen to other peoples’ problems. Offer to help. Give of your time, your energy, your finances.
Unwavering – 1:6; 2:4; [impartial, NIV];
Jesus illustrated impartial wisdom, when He ate with the Pharisees in Luke 7 and taught the Pharisee what God expected out of him and with the sinners in Matthew 9 and taught them they needed to repent.
How can your behavior exhibit “impartial” wisdom? Even if the image of Christ is not found in everyone around you, the image of God is. Treat others as if they are a potential brother or sister in Christ.
Without hypocrisy – Jesus illustrates “non-hypocritical” wisdom when He blesses non-Jews in an age when non-Jews were considered beyond the reach of the mercy of God – Matthew 8:5-13.
How can your behavior exhibit “non-hypocritical” wisdom? Let our behavior during the week reflect what we profess to believe when we are in worship on Sunday. Our lives through the week need to reflect that same doctrine, that same belief.
Let us develop the “God-Kind” of wisdom in our relationships at home, work, and in the church.
