When we are faced with a challenge in life, we need wisdom in order to navigate the situation. God has promised to help us to acquire true wisdom if we are willing to seek Him and ask for it, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him” (James 1:5). There is a wisdom of this world, but this is not what God gives. In the centuries leading up to the time of the New Testament, the Greeks were known for their philosophy— literally, love of wisdom. In 1 Corinthians 1:21-25, Paul wrote:
For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
Worldly wisdom does not necessarily bring one to a knowledge of God; in fact, it may be a hindrance to saving faith.
When James speaks of the wisdom God gives, he is referring to a spiritually upright walk that glorifies God, a wisdom that shines forth in the midst of trials. The world has always had its “wise men” who in their self-interest are motivated by envy and live morally bankrupt lives. However, God’s wisdom produces righteous motives that produce harmony with God and others. Consider how James elaborates on the difference in James 3:13-18:
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
Now more than ever we need this wisdom from above. While God promises to give it to those who ask in faith, that does not mean we do not have to work for it. We are taught to pray, “Give us this day our daily bread” (Mt. 6:11); yet, even though the Lord provides sun, rain, and a multitude of blessings we could not provide on our own, we must still labor so that we may eat (2 Thess. 3:10). Likewise, we must apply effort to learn from God’s word and the experiences of life in order to gain true wisdom. Lord, give us your true wisdom from above, that we may become more like you through each challenge of life.
-Mark Day
Leave a Reply