Wisdom From Above

James 3:17

But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

One of the greatest needs of any believer is wisdom. One of the prayers I pray throughout the day is for God to give me His wisdom. I realize this verse teaches that there is wisdom from above, which means there is also wisdom from below. Wisdom from below is man’s wisdom. I am not interested in man’s wisdom because his wisdom can only see the present; however, the wisdom from above is wisdom that has existed before eternity. The wisdom from above is God’s wisdom. This wisdom was present before the world was created. This wisdom is what founded the foundations of the world. This wisdom not only sees what has been, but this wisdom can see ahead through eternity. I would much rather get the wisdom from above because this wisdom sees all of eternity. This is why God commands the believer in James 1:5, If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. Now, how do we know and get the wisdom from God?

First, wisdom from above is pure. God’s wisdom never tells you to do something sinful. God’s wisdom is a pure wisdom. God’s wisdom never has a hint of sin in it and will have nothing to do with sin. You will find God’s wisdom always tells you to do what is right. In other words, you will only find God’s wisdom as you live a pure life. You cannot find God’s wisdom as you live in sin. The wisest people are those who live a life of doing right. There is wisdom found in the living a pure life.

Second, wisdom from above is peaceable. God’s wisdom makes you at peace with Him and with yourself. Doing what is right is where peace is found. The wisdom from below always causes turmoil in one’s life; therefore, live right if you want to find peace in life, and by living right, you will find the wisdom of God that makes you at peace with God and yourself.

Third, wisdom from above is easy to be intreated. In other words, you will find God’s wisdom causes a person not to be difficult to work with as long as they live according to God’s Word. Godly wisdom produces people who have guidelines to live and work by, which makes it easier for all to work with them. You will not find God’s wisdom when you make life about yourself. Godly wisdom is never about you but always about obeying God and helping others.

Fourth, wisdom from above is full of mercy. The fruit of God’s wisdom has fruit that has helped restore people because it was merciful to those who messed their lives up in sin. God’s wisdom causes you to be full of mercy with the hope that people will get their lives straightened out.

Fifth, wisdom from above is not partial. Godly wisdom treats all people the same. You cannot be partial to one person or group of people and have wisdom. God’s wisdom causes you to have the mindset that what you do for one you will do for all.

Sixth, wisdom from above has no hypocrisy. In other words, Godly wisdom never produces people who think they are better than others. Godly wisdom produces humble servants of God whose mindset is to serve God and others. You will never have God’s wisdom until you make your life about service to God so that you can serve others.