Verse of the Day - James 3:17

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no partiality and is always sincere. ~ James 3:17 (NLT)

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Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
wis·dom /[wiz-duh m] –noun
1. the quality or state of being wise; knowledge of what is true or right coupled with just judgment as to action; sagacity, discernment, or insight.


In this fuller passage, James contrasts the actions of the fool to the actions of the wise, and it's not a silly "fool", as in a court jester. Much darker...self-serving, unloving, with evil intent...

If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your heart, don’t cover up the truth with boasting and lying. For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind.
~ James 3:13-16 (NLT)

Academically, we can know alot about what's true and right. Lots of people study law...and end up being convicted for serious crimes. Knowledge by itself doesn't help them do the right thing. Wisdom must be applied to act on knowledge.

Wisdom...knowing the right thing and doing it. James says that if we say we're wise and say we know God's ways, prove it! Live so that it shows -- be gentle, peace-loving, forgiving.
Don't live foolishly by using your tongue to set people on fire, working to destroy other people who do it better than you do, clamoring for the spotlight no matter who you crush in the process. God says, That is foolish and evil, and doesn't have anything to do with who I am, or what My children need to be about.

Paul's first letter to the Corinthians comes to mind...

Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. ~ 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NLT)

True love and pure wisdom can only come from God. He is the source of all that is holy and true and right. We need to fall at His feet every day and seek His wisdom, and not rely on what we think we should be doing, but rather testing our thoughts and ways against His thoughts and ways...

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil.
~ Proverbs 3:5-7 (NLT)

If you are a believer in Jesus Christ, you have the Holy Spirit within you as your ultimate travel companion and supreme counselor. He will let you know what's wise and what's foolish. Don't change the channel when He tells you what you don't want to hear -- you are being conformed into the likeness of God's Son, and being a witness of the power of God to change a life! You are a walking billboard for the gospel of Jesus Christ...transformed from death to life, from darkness to light, from foolishness to wisdom.

The contrasts are stark, and we need to stand out like a sore thumb when it comes to God's ways, His love and wisdom -- let people see what our God is like, in all His magnificence, by how we live.

(I also encourage you to read the book of Proverbs for more spotlights on wise and foolish living...I guarantee you will see yourself in those words of wisdom more than you'd probably like...I know, because I have, and we're all in the same boat. Let God shed light on your life and commit to Him to seek change through His Holy Spirit.)

Love,
Joelene