James 3:13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.
It was interesting researching this verse to write today’s devotion. The terms wise and understanding are different in meaning. Wise focuses on intellect and factual knowledge whereas understanding focuses specifically on application and reasoning. Both are important and have value in determining how we live.
We have already learned this month that a wise person will take the knowledge obtained and real life experience and apply it in their life, hopefully in reverence and awe of God. Our focus should be eternity minded, God focused, and demonstrates meekness and humility.
Just because someone has book knowledge or formal training, it does not qualify them as a wise person. We can have all of the right answers but what is our life saying? Are we walking in a manner befitting that of a godly Christian? We must remember that true wisdom is demonstrated by our fear of the Lord. Their life will actively reflect this. The Spirit directs our steps and guides our responses (Isaiah 48:17). Our life should be exhibiting our wisdom through our actions.
The best example of wisdom is Jesus Himself. We see wisdom manifested in the flesh and His life of love and service demonstrates His nature. He models to us the respect and reverence we should be manifesting in our own walks. The fruits of the Spirit should be flowing forth from us in the wisdom that comes from God, not the earthly idea of knowledge.
So I ask you the same rhetorical question that James asked in his letter. Who is wise and understanding among you? Is your life demonstrating the wisdom of God or the knowledge of the world?
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