True Wisdom

13 If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your heart, don’t cover up the truth with boasting and lying. 15 For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. 16 For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder (confusion) and evil of every kind. 17 But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving (peacemaker), gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no favoritism (without partiality) and is always sincere (without hypocrisy). 18 And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness. James 3:13-18 (NLT).

Today, everyone has an opinion, view, or belief. With social media and the widespread use of the internet, various ideas and philosophies are running rampant. But, are these many thoughts and opinions wise or even genuine? 

True wisdom begins with God and always has God’s Word at the center. To get your wisdom or beliefs from any other source is speculative and to ask for trouble. True wisdom is not simply intellect or the collection of information but practical insight (see Proverbs 1:2; James 1:5; James 3:13-18). Knowledge or intelligence is not enough. We must have godly wisdom to use that knowledge and information correctly. Wisdom is the correct use of knowledge. True wisdom allows us to use our knowledge as it relates to God's truths for happy daily life. 

Moreover, the Holy Scripture teaches that true wisdom means wise character. True wisdom always reveals itself with good conduct and humility because God’s Spirit is working within their hearts (Hebrews 4:12). Just as we can recognize a tree by the tree’s fruit, we can also evaluate a person’s true philosophies and beliefs by the way they act. Godly wisdom always expresses itself in moral uprightness, peace, and love (James 3:17-18; see also Job 28:28; Proverbs 1:2-4; Proverbs 2:10-15). True wisdom is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, reasonable, full of mercy, good, impartial, and without hypocrisy. 

True wisdom can never be associated with jealousy and selfish ambition. Jealous, self-centeredness, lies, arguing, and swaggering (bragging) are inspired by evil, earthy, and unspiritual philosophies (James 3:14-15; see also 1 Corinthians 2:14; Jude 1:19). Man-made or false wisdom is filled with envy, strife, lusts, boasting, self-seeking, deceit, competition, confusion, prejudice, scheming, and deception (see also Galatians 5:16-21). Often times, this earthy wisdom leads rivalry and war (James 4:1-2). Even worse, man-made wisdom is self-promotion and human glorification. The Holy Scriptures are clear that only God gets the full glory, honor, and praise (1 Corinthians 1:31; see also Jeremiah 9:24). For where envy, mean-spirited ambition, and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there (1 Timothy 4:1-2).

We are judged not by what we accomplish but by our character and actions. A leader may have grand accomplishments but still live a loveless, bitter, and self-centered life. But if a person’s heart is pure, godly behavior will always follow and good leadership will be revealed. A heart fully committed to God produces pure beliefs and conduct. Godly wisdom is productive; earthly wisdom brings confusion and tears down through evil intent. Moreover, true wisdom or God's wisdom begins with a holy life, characterized by getting along with others, and overflows with mercy. This kind of wisdom is always fair, honest, good, and ready to help others. By analyzing the source, intent, and results of wisdom, we can discover whether or not this philosophy it is worthy of acceptance. 

Jesus Christ is the “wisdom from God” (1 Corinthians 1:24-30). In Jesus Christ, we find “all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:3 NLT). So, the first step toward true wisdom is the receiving of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Moreover, God’s Holy Spirit brings "the Spirit of wisdom and revelation" (Ephesians 1:17). The Holy Spirit directs our paths to select goodness and not evil. God generously give His Holy Spirit to everyone who turn to Him as found in Jesus Christ (John chapters 14, 15, and 16). Furthermore, obeying God’s Holy Scriptures brings our wisdom. “Look, I now teach you these decrees and regulations . . . . Obey them completely, and you will display your wisdom and intelligence among the surrounding nations” (Deuteronomy 4:5-6 NLT). In essence, God’s Holy Word makes us “wise” (2 Timothy 3:15). “Happy is the person who finds wisdom, the one who gets understanding. Wisdom is worth more than silver; it brings more profit than gold. Wisdom is more precious than rubies; nothing you could want is equal to it” (Proverbs 3:13-15 NCV). “Wisdom is the most important thing; so get wisdom. If it costs everything you have, get understanding. Treasure wisdom, and it will make you great; hold on to it, and it will bring you honor” (Proverbs 4:7-8 NCV). “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding” (Proverbs 9:10 NIV). James 1:5 indicates that we find wisdom through believing prayer. “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and He will give it to you” (James 1:5 NLT). 

In essence, true wisdom means living an honorable life as evidenced by good character and humility. Wisdom has to do with our behavior rather than human intelligence.  A lifestyle of pride, selfishness, and rivalry is really nothing but superficial and man-made wisdom. This wrong thinking produces wrong living. Where there is jealous, envy, rivalry, hypocrisy and such there will also be confusion and all sorts of evil practices. True wisdom is pure, then peace-loving, courteous, considerate, reasonable, and honest. God's wisdom leads to peace and God loves peacemakers (Matthew 5:9). So, get your wisdom from God because man-made or earthy wisdom ultimately leads to self-destruction (1 Corinthians 1:20-21).

References:
Believer’s Study Bible. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 1995.
Life Application Study Bible. Carol Streams, IL: Tyndale House Pub., 2005.
NLT Study Bible. Carol Streams, IL: Tyndale House Pub., 2008.
Spirit Filled Life Study Bible. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 1991.
The Amplified Bible. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1987.
Wiersbe, Warren W. Bible Exposition Commentary. Victor Books, 1989.
Wiersbe, Warren. With the Word Bible Commentary. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 1991.
Woman’s Study Bible. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 1995.
Zondervan NIV Study Bible. New York: Zondervan, 2008.