Evidence of God's Wisdom

Read James 3

James continues with some Christian forensics.  We can ask God for wisdom and he will give it generously if we do not doubt.  But how do we know that our wisdom is from God?

The proof is in the pudding.  That is, there will be good evidence:  a life lived well, good deeds, and even humility.  You might think if you had wisdom, you wouldn’t be very humble.  If it’s God’s wisdom then humility comes at no extra charge.

But what if there is evidence to the contrary?  What if what we know and what we live involves bitter envy and selfish ambition.  What if I think I have God’s wisdom but still make my life all about me?

The evidence says that you are playing for the wrong team.  The evidence tells us that our practices are of the devil.   If you had your heart set on being the Lord’s disciple and discover this evidence, what should you do?

Repent and do the things that you did at first comes to mind.  Stop, turn around, leave this earthly and unspiritual lifestyle behind and seek the Lord like you did at first.

Don’t get so wrapped up in the mechanics that you lose sight of the path that the Lord has prepared for you. If you are on track with your discipleship, the evidence in the area of wisdom will look like this.

·       Pure

·       Peace-loving

·       Considerate

·       Yielding to the needs of others

·       Full of mercy and producing good fruit

·       Sincere

Such evidence suggests that you are genuinely following your Master and seeking the righteous life that God desires for you. 

Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.

If you are true to who God called you to be, you will sow into the lives of others with peace.  You will be considerate of and helping to meet their needs, and your mercy and good fruit will be evident.

Notice how this part of the letter follows the section on Taming the Tongue.  Can we ever get to practicing God’s wisdom if we can’t get our tongue to submit to the spirit within us?

It seems that James is like the Proverbs where every few lines reveal a new piece of wisdom; however, the more we study, the more we see how everything he desires to teach us is tied together.

Once you have read and understood this letter, you may start almost anywhere within it and it will lead you to the full context.

Having accepted the challenge to read this scripture daily, you will also discover that no matter how challenging it may seem, it is not biblically unique.  The thoughts presented by James are in concert with those of Jesus and the apostles that he sent into the world.

James does us justice by pulling so many challenges together in one place.

You will be blessed for completing this challenge.

Amen!