Wisdom from above
Proverbs 2:2-5 Incline your heart to understanding
Wisdom involves seeing deeper than what is obvious to everyone else. It is asking the right questions, and knowing the only One who truly knows every answer.
James 3:13-18
v.13-16 bitter jealousy and selfish ambition
Bitter jealousy [zelos] excitement of mind, fervor of spirit in embracing, pursuing, defending something
selfish ambition [eritheia] electioneering or intriguing for office. A desire to put one’s self (or one’s cause) forward, a partisan and fractious spirit which does not disdain low arts
Partisanship, when embraced in the body of Christ, releases hell’s “wisdom” into the earth. We become too busy attacking the “other side,” while overlooking the sins of our own, and fail to seek after God’s wisdom for the issues at hand.
v.17 the wisdom from above is
Pure: Free from defilements, excites reverence/ is worthy of admiration, sacred. It has no hidden agendas or motives, and is not “2-faced”
Gentle: fair, mild, polite
Gentle strength is confident enough not to be combative, and remains calm enough to speak words which will settle in long after the conversation
Reasonable: easy to be intreated, approachable (even in disagreements)
Carrying humility with God’s wisdom means we can have actual dialogue, even if we are confident in the truth we carry.
full of mercy: kindness or good will towards the miserable and the afflicted, joined with a desire to help them
Our goal is not to win arguments, but to win souls.
full of good fruits: the external evidence of what’s on the inside of something.
Our words reflect whatever is in our hearts; our actions are louder still.
unwavering: impartial; without dubiousness or uncertainty
Wisdom can remain clear-minded enough not to take any “side” but heaven’s in a conflict.
without hypocrisy: Unfeigned, undisguised, sincere. Unskilled at the art of pretending.
Speaking wisdom from our hearts is effortless when we have sought the Author of all wisdom.
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