Is Your Wisdom Really Wise?

The word wisdom conjures up pictures for me, like the older woman who opens her mouth with grace and a loving pat on the arm, or the confidant who answers overwhelming problems with a gentle smile and mountains of perspective-changing truth. But it’s not really the words I admire of the woman who always says the right thing, but it’s her calm, confident spirit that attracts me, a spirit full of wise assurance in God and His truth.

Recently I have found myself less calm and assured than I should be, begging God for wisdom. What does following Christ look like in 2021? How do I parent teens in a LGBT, gender-confused, sex-saturated world? How do I recognize true wisdom amid today’s cacophony of confusing and conflicting voices – even among Christians? More importantly, how do I know if I am truly wise?

In the third chapter of his epistle, James asks a pointed rhetorical question, “Who is wise and understanding among you?” (3:13). In context, James has just laid out important truth about the tongue, and so the reader may immediately think James is prompting his hearers to examine their words to ascertain if they are wise. But James gives an unexpected answer. He asserts that the wise person is the one who “shows” wisdom – the one who lives wisdom principles.

Wisdom involves more than what we know or what we say. Wisdom also involves how we live out what we know. You see, a wise woman will show her wisdom through meek, wise living.

James warns that there is a wisdom that sounds wise, but it’s the outflow of self-seeking competitiveness. It’s fueled by a selfish, bitter heart (3:14). This kind of wisdom is deceptive, not given by our Father, but by the Evil One, the Father of Lies. Sadly, false wisdom leads to confusion and all kinds of evil deeds (3:15-16).

So how can we recognize wisdom that’s truly wise? James reminds us that we can know wisdom by her fruits – by her deeds (3:13; Matt. 11:19c). Although I’ve never seen these qualities hanging on a wall like the fruit of the Spirit, James 3:17 provides us a compact description of “the fruit of wisdom.”

· First, true wisdom is pure. It is innocent, not mixed with selfishness or wrong motives. It isn’t jealous or self-seeking. In contrast to devilish wisdom, true wisdom doesn’t have a hidden agenda. I must beware of those who sound wise, but who are seeking a following for themselves. More importantly, I must keep watch on my own heart. A good question to ask may be, “Why am I drawn to this truth?” or “Why is this important to me?” Is it because it promotes me or because it’s biblical truth?

· True wisdom is also peaceable. Literally the Greek word here means “free from worry.” James indicates that true wisdom produces an inner peace, not stirring up worry in self or others. When I’m in a tizzy or in inner turmoil, I am proving my thoughts are not wise. True wisdom produces a stable peace. And when others try to stir up fear in me, want me to spread conspiracies, or are willing to disrupt unity in the assembly over tangential issues, they are not demonstrating wisdom.

· True wisdom is also gentle. A harsh, unapproachable spirit is not wise. Rather, true wisdom is considerate of others, and has a reputation of reasonableness, speaking the truth in love. Paul uses the same word in Philippians 4:5. When I disagree with someone and want to lash out at them, I am not demonstrating true wisdom. Likewise, when I see brash, angry people, I must stop and consider that what they are saying probably isn’t from wisdom.

· True wisdom is open to reason. Godly wisdom doesn’t explode or shut down when opposed or questioned but is willing to converse, reason, and when appropriate, yield. My husband tells our children, “The truth is never afraid of the light,” and likewise, wisdom is open to conversation and isn’t fearful of examination. When I react emotionally to the questions of others, or clam up when certain topics are broached, I’m not evidencing reasonableness, which is a hallmark of true wisdom.

· True wisdom is full of mercy. Wisdom from above reflects our merciful Heavenly Father, seeing people as works in progress. A wise woman gives others the benefit of the doubt, recognizing she desperately needs mercy, too.

· True wisdom is full of good fruits. Real wisdom is productive. The fruits of (or the evidences of) righteousness abound in a wise woman.

· True wisdom is also impartial,not playing favorites, and is consistent.

· Finally, true wisdom is sincere. Real wisdom is without hypocrisy. You can take the words of a truly wise person at face value.

There is so much error in the world. Lies abound. Foolishness persists. Issues are argued. And truth and wisdom are at a premium.

I have opinions on popular issues. I bet you do, too. I could talk all day about why I’m against such-and-such, and why so-and-so is wrong, and why it’s wise to do such-and-such. And yet, when my children watch my life or my friends observe me, do they see a beautiful portrait of wisdom that reflects the character of God? Do they see a woman who is stable, gentle, reasonable, merciful, and sincere? Or a woman who’s worrisome, harsh, unreasonable, judgmental, partial, and ultimately self-seeking? I have a lot of work to do, but I’m thankful the Spirit is at work in me on this very subject.

How about you? Do you have room to grow in wisdom? Growth in wisdom only happens as we immerse ourselves in the words of God, because “the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding” (Prov. 2:6). You and I must prioritize His Word so that it dwells in us richly in all wisdom (Col. 3:16)!