Wisdom! The Cambridge dictionary describes wisdom as the ability to use your knowledge and experience to make good decisions and judgments. The book of James 3 in the Holy Bible tells us there are two types of wisdom, one is demonic and the other is godly. Today let’s discover godly wisdom from James 3:17
So let’s turn the bible to James 3:17
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.
There are 8 attributes James uses to qualify godly wisdom
- Pure: Wisdom that is morally and spiritually sound not corrupted by self interest.
- Peaceably: Wisdom which is not contentious or quarrelsome rather free from strife. When the judgement or decision made brings peace.
- Gentle: This is when good judgement is kind, or tender temperament not violent. When being carried out
- Willing to yield: Not rigid. Not saying my way or the highway. Being open to listen to what others have to say
- Full of mercy: Wisdom is forgiving. Letting someone off the hook
- Good fruits: Wisdom produces good outcomes
- Impartiality: Wisdom does not show favouritism
- Without hypocrisy: Wisdom is trustworthiness, truthfulness, and honesty it is not self-serving.
Now let’s parallel these attributes of godly wisdom with one of the displays of good judgement by king Solomon. In 1 Kings 3: 16-28 (audio)
27 Then the king gave his ruling: “Give the living baby to the first woman. Do not kill him; she is his mother.”
28 When all Israel heard the verdict the king had given, they held the king in awe, because they saw that he had wisdom from God to administer justice.
The two women who brought their dispute to king Solomon show the impartiality of the king. These women were prostitutes and would have been on the fringe of the society, yet they were able to get access to king.
Other attributes of godly wisdom we see are that King Solomon was being open to listen to both sides of the dispute. King Solomon’s judgement was full of mercy, he let the other woman go, though she lied about the baby. The judgement was carried out with even temper. His ruling on the case was not for self glory.
The ruling brought peace not just to the women in the dispute, but the whole nation came to the realisation that the king’s wisdom was from God.
As we see from 1 kings 3: 12 – I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart;
God gave king Solomon a wise and an understanding heart
While knowledge can be acquired and experience can be gained, the ability to use both to make good judgement comes from an understanding heart.
Having facts or acting on facts is not wisdom. King Solomon had the facts of the events of the night by these 2 prostitutes. The facts alone could not secure good judgement.
Having experience also does not tantamount to wisdom. This was not the first time King Solomon would have had to settle a dispute. We all settle disputes amongst ourselves, families and friends. But King Solomon’s past exprencie of settling disputes did not give him good judgement.
It was the wise and understanding heart God gave him that caused king Solomon to go beyond the facts and experience to the heart of the matter. The heart of one woman was saying preserve the life of the child and the other wanted the child destroyed.
Now let’s parallel these attributes of godly wisdom in James 3:17 into our lives. Can we say we make good decisions and judgments? Do you want to make good decisions and judgments? That is a big yes from me. I definitely want to make good decisions and judgments. But how? You may ask.
God gave king Solomon a wise and an understanding heart.
James 1:5 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.
So dearest in order to make good decisions and judgments, we need to ask God for wisdom.
Thank you.