Wisdom from Above
Devotions for Growing Christians
Wisdom from Above
James 1:5 - But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
James 3:13-17 - Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.
"The Lord told me you’re to marry me," a Christian guy told his Christian girlfriend. "Well, He hasn't told me that," the girl replied! Maybe you’ve never been in a situation quite like this, but surely you have been faced with a tough decision, and you’re concerned about the right answer. You've prayed, but there's no "burst of enlightenment" or "voice from the sky." Has already given you the answer? You’re not sure. Does the Lord send specific answers? Can a Christian know for sure when he has the Lord's answer?
The Scriptures above tell us that wisdom from God is available to the Christian upon request! This wisdom is not our own natural ideas - it’s wisdom from above! All the way from heaven! Far out wisdom!
However, this wisdom is not automatic, not is it to be obtained easily or lightly. These Scriptures give us two reasons why.
Wisdom from God is an answer to prayer (James 1:5). This puts us smack in the middle of an arena of conflict. The wisdom of God comes to prayer warriors across a spiritual battlefield. Answers to prayer are louder and clearer to those in the front lines. As one moves away from the battle zone, the sound becomes less distinct - and ears less trained! The answers are barely heard back in the "rest and relaxation" zones. We must persevere in prayer. (Read Ephesians 6:11-18 and note especially verse 18.)
Earthly wisdom shouts to be heard (James 3:15). Wisdom that’s not from above is "earthly.” Earthly wisdom is no higher than man's fallen and sinful “natural” mind. And earthly wisdom is “demonic” - influenced by Satan himself. Which wisdom are you hearing?
Amidst the conflict and the clamor, are there any clues to help us detect the wisdom from above? Yes! The Bible gives us both subjective and objective clues! Subjective clues are influenced to our own motives. If we’re influenced by jealousy or selfish ambition, then it cannot be the wisdom from God (v14-15). The voice that says, "Defend your own rights at all costs!" is not the voice of God. The Christian who has wisdom from above is willing to be wronged and walked-on rather than defend his own personal rights and interests. Far-out indeed! (See 1 Corinthians 6:7.)
Verse 13 says the same thing in a positive way. The wise Christian is meek! In the Bible, the word "meekness" doesn’t mean weakness, or no backbone. Meekness refers to our inner attitudes rather than our outward actions. It is the opposite of self-assertiveness and self-interest. Our Lord was meek (Matthew 11:29). Consider His words and actions during that mockery of a trial before His crucifixion! Did He insist on His personal rights?
If we are characterized by meekness, we will be in tune with the wisdom from above that God longs to share with us. But if the “Big Me” is on the throne of our lives, then forget it! We’ll miss out on the answers from above, and our lives will be characterized by disorder and worthless activities (v16)! The self-centered person should not expect an answer from heaven. (See James 1:68.)
Objectively, the wisdom from above is clearly defined in verse 17.
Wisdom from above is pure! The Lord never asks us to do anything shady or under the table. Calling in sick to work so you can have time off to attend a Christian retreat is definitely not God's answer to prayer!
Wisdom from above is peaceable! It doesn’t seek to settle matters by "rocking the boat" - if at all possible.
Wisdom from above is gentle! God's wisdom is always considerate and tender. It is just, but tempered with mercy. In other words, my answer to prayer for wisdom about my irritating colleague will likely be "Go the second mile!" (Matthew 5:41).
Wisdom from above is reasonable! A pharisaical or judgmental attitude of, "I've got the last word. You must agree with me," is wisdom from below. It’s earthly. Wisdom from above is not stubborn, narrow-minded, or closed-minded.
Wisdom from above is full of mercy and good fruits! Our neighbors and fellow students are trapped and struggling in the vortex of this doomed, sin-sick world. When we are aligned with God's wisdom we not only feel mercy for those in need, but we do something ("good fruits") to help them.
Wisdom from above is unwavering! When God shares His wisdom with us in answer to our earnest prayers, there is no uncertainty or inconsistency about it. We can move out with confidence, because we know we have the mind of God.
Wisdom from above is without hypocrisy! This should be obvious! Yet we can fool ourselves into thinking we’re walking in wisdom from above, but we’re actually only “playing” Christian and doing our own thing.
One last thought! If we want to be extra sure that we’re in line with wisdom from above, then let’s go all-out to follow the Lord Jesus, because "in Him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" (Colossians 2:3). Then we can say for sure "we have the mind of Christ" (1 Corinthians 2:16). Far-out - but true!
- Dave Reid