But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without pretense. James 3:17 (CSB)
Is there any doubt that this world needs more wisdom? In every sphere and arena of life, we can find devastation, and heartbreak because leaders and people have failed to acquire or utilize wisdom.
We must also remember that there is true wisdom, and false wisdom. What some think is wisdom, is really foolishness: For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God, since it is written, He catches the wise in their craftiness; and again, The Lord knows that the reasonings of the wise are futile. 1 Corinthians 3:19–20 (CSB)
The preacher in the Ecclesiastes contrasted wisdom and foolishness: I thought, “Wisdom is better than foolishness, just as light is better than darkness. Ecclesiastes 2:13 (NLT). It is worth noting, however, that Solomon, as wise as he was, ultimately ended up in foolishness.
Instinctively, we know that wisdom is better than foolishness. I searched everywhere, determined to find wisdom and to understand the reason for things. I was determined to prove to myself that wickedness is stupid and that foolishness is madness. Ecclesiastes 7:25 (NLT).
James reminds us that real wisdom, which is wisdom from above, is first of all pure. The world’s wisdom may have a glint of true wisdom here and there, but it is often mixed in with foolishness. God’s wisdom is also peace-loving, gentle, willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good fruits, and it is steadfast and sincere. There is only one place to find this kind of wisdom.
Looking for Wisdom
But where can wisdom be found, and where is understanding located? No one can know its value, since it cannot be found in the land of the living. Job 28:12–13 (CSB)
Looking around our world, it is fair to ask, is anyone looking for wisdom? Using the definition of wisdom found in James 3:17, are there any world leaders who are peace-loving, gentle, and willing to yield to others? If we must search for wisdom, is anyone looking?
Pharaoh, in ancient Egypt, may not have been looking for wisdom, but at least he recognized wisdom when it was standing in front of him:
So Pharaoh asked them, “Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God?” Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you. Genesis 41:38–39 (NIV)
Returning to the question: “Where can we find wisdom?” We should begin by eliminating the places where wisdom, true wisdom, will never be found. Recall the words of a country/western song from a generation ago: 'Cause I was lookin' for love in all the wrong places.’ We are never going to find wisdom if we keep looking in the wrong place. Where will we find true wisdom?
Finding Wisdom
But God understands the way to wisdom, and he knows its location…He said to mankind, “The fear of the Lord—that is wisdom. And to turn from evil is understanding.” Job 28:23,28 (CSB)
Once again, we see that God knows and understands the way to wisdom, and where it is located. Here we see that the fear of the Lord is wisdom, but elsewhere in the Psalms and Proverbs we are told that: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. Proverbs 9:10 (CSB)
If we understand this to be true, is it any wonder that this world cannot find wisdom on its own? Sin whispers to the wicked, deep within their hearts. They have no fear of God at all. Psalm 36:1 (NLT). When there is no fear of God, there can be no true wisdom.
God has not hidden his wisdom from us. Paul explains:
Ever since the creation of the world, God’s invisible qualities—God’s eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, because they are understood through the things God has made. So humans are without excuse. Although they knew God, they didn’t honor God as God or thank him. Instead, their reasoning became pointless, and their foolish hearts were darkened. While they were claiming to be wise, they made fools of themselves. Romans 1:20–22 (CEB)
There is a false, worldly wisdom (James 3:14-16) that only brings jealousy and selfish ambition. This wisdom manifests itself with disorder and everything that is evil. The wisdom from above is pure and peaceful.
Some Final Thoughts
God has united you with Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made him to be wisdom itself. Christ made us right with God; he made us pure and holy, and he freed us from sin. 1 Corinthians 1:30 (NLT)
I began by asking the question, “Is there any doubt that the world needs more wisdom?” A better question is, “Do I need more wisdom?” The answer of course is yes, and gladly all I need to do is ask (James 1:5).
Paul spells things out pretty clearly. We gain wisdom as we are united with Christ Jesus. He is wisdom personified. James told us that the wisdom from above is pure, and Paul tells us that in Christ we are made pure.
I take some comfort in the words of Job: Wisdom is found with the elderly, and understanding comes with long life. Job 12:12 (CSB). But we should never take it for granted. If we gain wisdom as we age, it is only because we have gained a greater understanding that true wisdom is found in Jesus Christ.
Every day we are engaged in a battle. Are we going to listen to the “conventional wisdom” of this world, or will we receive the wisdom that comes from God through Jesus Christ? It comes down to the choice, wisdom from below, or wisdom from above! Choose wisely.
Steve Ekeroth
Photo by Steve Ekeroth-Sunrise in Alaska