DEVOTION

God's Wisdom

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. 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. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness. – James 2:13-18

As we live each day, we acquire a greater degree of knowledge. This knowledge helps us to live better, to make fewer mistakes, to grow a greater appreciation of life, and to serve God in higher and more amazing ways. But we must be careful not to confuse knowledge that we gain on earth with the wisdom that only God can impart.

As James writes, the wisdom that God provides is far different than anything we could obtain from worldly sources. The wisdom of the world is tainted by sin, but God’s wisdom is pure. Earthly wisdom is often self-centered and self-seeking, while God’s is described as considerate and submissive. In fact, the more James goes into depth about what God gives us through His wisdom, the easier it is to see that what He provides to us is uncommon and threatening in many ways to those who do not understand what it is.