At some point in life, we all need help. But often the hardest part about needing help is admitting the help you need is God’s wisdom.

We all have knowledge. But knowledge and wisdom are not the same. Knowledge refers to the accumulation of facts. Wisdom gives you understanding of what the facts mean. You could be the smartest person in the world and still be a fool. Anyone can gain knowledge, but only God can give you wisdom.

The book of James is a wonderful place to start. It begins with a promise. “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him (James 1:5).

What does God’s wisdom look like? And how do we know it when we see it?

James 3:17-18 gives us the blueprint of God’s wisdom:

1. But the wisdom from above is first pure: James lists “pure” first because this is where wisdom begins. Because God is pure, everything that comes from Him is pure. Pure is--“free from blemishes, clear; free from moral stain.” Just like a power washer removes years of gunk, grime, dirt, and mildew from a wood deck. We all need the power washing of the Holy Spirit to remove years of frustration, bitterness, doubt, and despair. We all need the Holy Spirit to take the Word of God and cleanse us {make us pure} from the inside out. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Matthew 5:8).

2. But the wisdom from above is peaceable: Some people have no interest in getting along. They are only concerned about their way being the best way. Middle ground is not an option. The word peaceable means avoidance of strife or dissention; not argumentative or hostile. Peaceable speaks to our attitude in times of conflict. A peaceable person is bringing healing and reconciliation to any situation. “A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot”(Proverbs 14:30).

3.  But the wisdom from above is gentle: A gentle person is non-combative, not quarrelsome, or easily annoyed. If you believe in Jesus, you too can be gentle because He has been gentle with you. “He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities” (Psalm 103:10).

4. But the wisdom from above is open to reason: It might be easier to see this quality if we flip it around. Earthly wisdom is stubborn, arrogant; sarcastic, an attention seeker with a temper and fragile ego. It does not like to listen and has no desire to hear the opinions of others. God’s wisdom encompasses the ability to listen carefully, teachable, puts others first, and slow to anger. “Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger” (James 1:19).

5.  But the wisdom from above is full of mercy: Mercy is more than a feeling. Mercy sees a need and then meets that need without self-seeking or reward. Mercy is---do unto others as God has done unto you. “The Lord is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made” (Psalm 145:9).

6.   But the wisdom from above is impartial: The biblical connotation of impartial means “holding firm to the same standard all the time.” You do not favor one side over the other based on personal feelings or opinions. You tell the truth the first time, you do not change your story depending on the audience. You are the same in public and in private. God’s Word does not change. “For God shows no partiality” (Romans 2:11).

7. But the wisdom from above is sincere: To be sincere means to be without hypocrisy; free of pretense or deceit. To be sincere is to be genuine. To be sincere is a distinguishable characteristic of a Believer. “For our boast is this, the testimony of our conscience, that we behaved in the world with simplicity and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God, and supremely so toward you” (2 Corinthians 1:12).

Take a moment to reflect----whose wisdom do you rely on, God’s wisdom or earthly wisdom?
 

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I humbly come before You repenting for times I refuse to seek Your wisdom. Father, I have made a mess of things in my life because I refused to ask You for help. I am ready and willing to accept Your help. Please give me the discernment to decipher my wisdom from Your wisdom. I thank You for Your patience and grace with me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen
 

PEARLStoPONDER: Life is hard, but it is easier when you have God’s wisdom.
 

James 3:17-18--But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. ¹⁸ And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

Proverbs 1:7-- The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction
Proverbs 2:6--For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.