James opens his letter in the Bible asking if anyone wants wisdom. He goes on to state clearly that God gives wisdom freely to those who ask for it. The next question that one should ask about wisdom is what does it look like and how does it impact your life? If you had all the wisdom in the world and you are able to act on that wisdom what does your life look like? Is it a superpower that makes your IQ go up? Do you now make only smart choices in life? What does wisdom that God gives freely look like in the practical life of a Christian? James describes a life that is in the meekness (πραΰτης prautēs) of wisdom. What does that even mean?

¹³ Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. James 3:13 ESV

Wisdom Changes Us

We say we want wisdom but what if wisdom changes our life? Are you ready for a life that is wise? What does a wisdom filled life look like? Meekness sounds terrible if I am honest. In James Chapter 3 he gives us an image of what a wise Christian looks like.  

¹⁴ But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. ¹⁵ This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. ¹⁶ For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. ¹⁷ 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. James 3:14-18 ESV

Meek vs Boastful

A wisdom filled Christian being meek means that he does not become arrogant and boastful. James describes them as having meekness of wisdom and conduct of good works to highlight the inner strength and resolve of a Christian trusting in God for wisdom. In this chart we can see a comparison that James makes between wisdom that comes from God vs wisdom that comes from the world.

Wisdom From God	Wisdom From Satan
Pure	Bitter Jealousy
Peaceable	Selfish ambition
Open to reason	Unspiritual
Full of mercy	Demonic
Impartial	Disorder
Sincere (does not wear a mask)	Vile practices

Seek Gods Wisdom

Does is surprise you dear reader that we can compare the wisdom of God vs the wisdom of Satan and the world? Not all wisdom is good. Satan in the beginning came to Eve with his own wisdom. The kind of wisdom that brought sin and death into the world.  

So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. Genesis 3:6 ESV

Wisdom of Destruction

Eve listened to Satan and sought wisdom apart from God. She wanted to be wise but if she had thought it through she could have gone directly to God and asked him for wisdom. In fact God through a relationship would have shared all kinds of wonderful wisdom with her.

¹⁸ Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. ¹⁹ For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their craftiness,” ²⁰ and again, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.” ²¹ So let no one boast in men. For all things are yours, 1 Corinthians 3:18-21 ESV

Choose Wisely

Wisdom is available to any who seek it out. Most will seek the crafty wisdom of the world. But this wisdom is foolish and futile. It leads to death just like Adam and Eve found at the beginning. Somethings never change and every person stands at a cross road just like our parents did before us chose. Do we want the wisdom of God or the wisdom of the world.

One wisdom brings peace. The other brings disorder. The wisdom of the world leaves us exposed to the demonic and the wisdom of God makes us pure.

⁶ For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; ⁷ he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity, ⁸ guarding the paths of justice and watching over the way of his saints. Proverbs 2:6-8 ESV

Dear reader seek the things of God. Go to him daily for wisdom and understanding. He will open your eyes and guard your paths.