“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.”
“Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.”
“What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, ‘He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us’? But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’ Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” James 1:5; 3:13-18; 4:1-8
In James’ admonition to seek and apply God’s wisdom, he clearly distinguishes the outflow from heavenly versus earthly. Wisdom from above looks nothing like wisdom from below. Meekness breeds works very different from ambition, mercy and sincerity from jealousy. Gratitude and graciousness are opposite of grumbling greed. The Lord yearns over our spirits to make them holy and to lift them from groveling and grousing here below to His wisdom.
In determining where and from whom we seek wisdom, consider the works emanating from each source. Is there confusion, dependence on an imperfect person, or ongoing anxiety or consternation? Is there the goad of greed, or self-fulfillment, or pampering and ease? Is there the instigation to jealousy, or personal rights, ambition, or pride? Does the application of advice lead to a sense of superiority, chilling of compassion, dissension with loved ones, distancing from known truths? Any of these would signal the intention of the enemy to steal, kill, and destroy, and must be carefully avoided. (John 10:10)
Inquiring of the Lord and absorbing wisdom from His word yields starkly different fruit. When purity is desired and honed, and righteous character increases alongside peace, reason, and joy, we can know these gifts are from above. Divine wisdom envelops soul and spirit, and teaches mercy, sincerity, and godliness.
Do we genuinely desire wisdom? How carefully do we search for it? When will we set aside selfish ambition or pet passions to seek and receive the wisdom that is supreme?
Father, give me righteous desire and discernment to know and practice godly wisdom that sows peace and glorifies You.
As the rain and snow 