Clarity
“But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure, then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.” James 3:17 (NIV)
In reading the comments from the last post, Wisdom, we all agree that godly wisdom is the desire of our hearts and the key to receiving that wisdom is the Holy Spirit. So, what is it we see that many fail to recognize and act upon?
Before identifying the attributes of godly wisdom, James, in 3:14-16, provides key insight to the fallible nature of man’s wisdom: bitterness, jealousy and ambiguity. Notice the inward focus of man’s wisdom. When I think about it, I alter the knowledge I attain because of my bias, my needs, my wants, my position, my…my…my…
You get the point…
Now, don’t take what I’m saying out of context. Solomon, in Ecclesiastes 2:13, tells us “wisdom [man’s] is better than folly, just as light is better than darkness.” I agree with that statement. The wisdom obtained through academic pursuits and life experiences are much more powerful than that of ignorance and the willful disregard of learning. In fact, a simple definition of folly is foolishness.
Yet, if we take Solomon’s statement juxtaposed with that of James’s statement, we see the clarity of our position.
Godly wisdom produces character rich qualities for those that operate in it: peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Man’s wisdom is more about the individual and image than anything else: envy, ambition, disorder and evil practices. What a difference! Godly wisdom changes us internally and is identified by good works (fruits), whereas man’s wisdom opens a wide range of corruptible consequences.
Let me leave you with Proverbs 3:13-18 (NIV)
"Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold. She is more precious than rubies, nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who embrace her; those who lay hold of her will be blessed."
Notice how the scriptures start and end – Blessed
Be Blessed
posted by Pastor Dean Goneau @ 7:38 PM
3 comments
3 Comments:
Oh how rich is His mercy towards us that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us!! I believe that in its essence, all wisdom is from God. And there is no doubt that those who do not know God can still do good things with the wisdom they have attained thru natural, not supernatural means. Of what value then, is that wisdom or its accomplishments? Well, we know that the motives can not be entirely pure because they are grounded in self, correct? I also believe that they can never be utilized to their fullest extent without the Spirit providing and then guiding.
Great insight, Dick. You wrote, "And there is no doubt that those who do not know God can still do good things with the wisdom they have attained thru natural, not supernatural means. Of what value then, is that wisdom or its accomplishments?" The problem, as I see it, centers on pride and works. What is done by our own means feeds our egos and builds our pride. That pride becomes quite a stumbling block in regards to using godly wisdom. Not only that, we begin to view our works as a means of our own righteousness. Needless to say, our works are important, but the motives behind them must be pure and aligned with God's word and intent. The question, then, becomes -- How do operate in our wisdom by utilizing godly wisdom? Is there a way this is accomplished? Pretty good idea to study out...
Right on brother! In James it says that ALL good gifts comes from the Father of Lights. Our own wisdom may bring us through different things in life but unyeilded to the Lord Jesus only brings glory to our flesh and not to God. 1st Corinthians 1:27-31
"27) Instead, God deliberately chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose those who are powerless to shame those who are powerful.
28) God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important,
29) so that no one can ever boast in the presence of God.
30) God alone made it possible for you to be in Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made Christ to be wisdom itself. He is the one who made us acceptable to God. He made us pure and holy, and he gave himself to purchase our freedom.
31) As the Scriptures say, “The person who wishes to boast should boast only of what the Lord has done.”
Any other form of wisdom because of the fall remains corupted and corruptible, I beileve unless yeilded to the Lord Jesus. Proverbs 3:5-8 "5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Never rely on what you think you know.
6 Remember the Lord in everything you do, and he will show you the right way.
7 Never let yourself think that you are wiser than you are; simply obey the Lord and refuse to do wrong.
8 If you do, it will be like good medicine, healing your wounds and easing your pains." (NLT)
Great study!
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