James 3:13: “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.”
I promised we would talk about James this time. So, here we go!
James composed his letter as one solid piece of writing, meant to be read in one sitting. He didn’t say, okay, enough of verse 12, here is verse 13. This means that this section on wisdom is connected to all of the previous verses about watching our mouths. You can trace this passage back to James 1:19. – Be slow to speak. The problem of the tongue continues.
James is a book of action. We are always encouraged to make sure our walk matches our talk. Our wisdom is no different. We are to “show” our wisdom by our good deeds. So, we not only show our faith by our deeds (2:18) but our wisdom as well.
To show means to make known or explain. We do this with words and actions. The NIV has the phrase “their good life.” Other translations use “conversations,” “behavior,” or “conduct.” All of this means a person’s conduct, their lifestyle, their everyday behavior, must be based on wisdom.
This begs the question: how do we get wisdom?
Proverbs 4:7: “The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.”
Proverbs 8:11: “for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her.”
When Lyndsey and I first got married, I wanted to be the provider. So, I worked hard (and she did too), and we spent a lot of money, we had a lot of fun. Something inside me said we couldn’t keep up this financial pace; we were going backward. So, I did what I often do when I have a question. I read some books. I read books on money from some of the top thinkers in the world. I knew all about money! But I never did anything with it. It was stuck between my head and my hands. And then I came across two practical books about money. Dave Ramsey’s Total Money Makeover and Howard Dayton’s Your Money Map. It seemed easy enough, so we started applying the knowledge, and what do you know, it worked! All of the head knowledge didn’t work until we applied the principles in real life. It wasn’t a matter of “I need more,” but I had to learn how to manage what I already had adequately.
Do you know where Dave Ramsey and Howard Dayton learned their money principles? From God’s WORD!
Simply put, God’s Wisdom is found in two places: The WORD of God, and Jesus Christ. Listen to 2 Timothy 3:15: “and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.”
James 1:5 tells us, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” If you lack wisdom in your life, about any situation, ASK GOD!
Some questions to consider:
-What knowledge do you possess that you aren’t applying? What is holding you back?-Are you seeking wisdom from God? If not, why not? If so, how?
Photo by Ramin Khatibi on Unsplash
Scott Maxon 