Wise and Understanding

Humility and meekness are characteristics of God's people who are led by the Holy Spirit in wisdom.  Jesus humbled Himself by coming to earth in the likeness of mankind, made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Himself the form of a servant.  Serving was a way God demonstrated His active love that gives with the good of others in mind.  On the night Jesus was betrayed, He girded Himself with a towel and washed the disciples' feet and provided an example we all should follow.  Then Jesus gave His own blood on Calvary's cross and demonstrated His love for sinners--for you and me--by dying to provide atonement.  God is exalted and glorious above all, and all authority and power is His, yet He always remains humble and meek at the same time.  

James 3:13 says, "Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom."  In Jesus we observe One who has all wisdom and understanding, and His good conduct was always done in the meekness of wisdom.  The wise in this world tend to be haughty, proud and conceited.  Such take pride in being able to deny, deflect, expose hypocrisy in others and mentally run circles around anyone who would dare speak against them.  Jesus showed the meekness of wisdom by allowing Himself to be arrested though innocent, and when He was falsely accused He did not answer to defend Himself.  Jesus knew the Father's will and humbly submitted to it, even though it meant He would die.

God's wisdom is displayed by meekness, and the wisdom of this world is shown by promoting and defending self.  James warned Christians not to be baited by the wisdom of this world that delights in asserting oneself compared to the meek heart described in in James 3:14-16:  "But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. ¹⁵ This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. ¹⁶ For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there."  Envy and self-seeking put self in the centre, and sinful corruption in a heart is often expressed through what we say--by boasting and lying.  As software or physical parts can be taken apart and analysed to be reverse engineered, so by examining our words we can gain insight into our hearts:  if we find ourselves casually boasting, lying or exaggeration, this is a strong indication that bitter envy and self-seeking are at work in our hearts.

Avoiding boasting or lying is no guarantee people are walking wisely, and James 3:17 spells out the hallmarks of God's wisdom:  "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."  God's wisdom is free of defilement from sin, is inclined towards peace, and is gentle and considerate of others.  A wise heart is willing to yield, full of mercy and good toward all.  This heart is free of favouritism and hypocrisy, for this wisdom is established on God's goodness and righteous ways with integrity.  James asked, "Who is wise and understanding among you?"  The answer would be demonstrated by good conduct, gentle words and selflessness.  Jesus has provided His disciples an example we are wise to follow, and the Holy Spirit will help us every step of God's way.