Wisdom from Above

We have been on a journey to “Lead with Wisdom” all year long. The Sermon on the Mount set the stage for wisdom. We were called to apply Jesus’ teachings like a wise builder who builds a house on rock. We have also considered the words of his brother James, the head of the Church in Jerusalem.

James has absorbed Jesus’ teachings so deeply, especially the Sermon on the Mount, that he speaks in a similar style. Throughout his letter, James offers short, pithy sayings meant to make us stop, reflect, and reconsider how we live. James is not interested in giving us religious information. He seeks to bring us into deeper Christian spiritual formation. In Eugene Peterson’s words, James calls us to grow up in Christ. From the very beginning, James has been clear: he wants us to “let endurance have its full effect so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing” (James 1.4).

To reach that maturity, James invites us to prayerfully ask God for the wisdom we need. “If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God, who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given you” (James 1.5). Biblical wisdom integrates how we think, feel, believe, and behave. Giving ourselves to God’s wisdom is a formation process of repeatedly giving ourselves over to God’s will and His way.   

Our passage from James 3:13-18, James asks, “Who is wise and understanding among you?” His rhetorical question is answered immediately: “Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in humility that comes from wisdom. The wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.”

We will know we are growing up in our faith into Christian maturity and Godly wisdom from above when our lives reflect a list of healthy attributes. These qualities become checkpoints to help us reflect on how well we are following Jesus.

We live in a world overflowing with people, brands, and technology all claiming to know what everyone else should believe and do. Politicians, commentators, social media influencers, and spiritual leaders all claim wisdom. James says, “Look at how they go about it and what is the result.”

Does their wisdom produce mercy, peace, and good fruit?
Does it make us more gentle, pure, and righteous?
Does it create unity without partiality?

If not, it is a false wisdom.

True wisdom, God’s wisdom, always helps us love God and our neighbors better. Wisdom from above makes us more like Jesus. God’s wisdom is full of mercy, good fruits, and peacemaking. But if the pressures around us are making us angrier, more fearful, suspicious, and divided, we are not living by the wisdom God so generously and ungrudgingly gives. 

Our entire journey of leading with wisdom can be tested here. Everything in the Sermon on the Mount and the letter of James is revealed in our peacemaking, gentleness, willingness to yield to others, and being full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality or hypocrisy. If faith is revealed in our works (James 2.17-18), then our faith will make itself known in these ways.

As we continue to lead with wisdom, let us keep asking God for hearts willing to be shaped by Jesus. Each day gives us opportunities to practice what we have learned: respond with gentleness, extend mercy, and make peace with our neighbors. As we put these teachings into practice, we grow up in Christ, and the wisdom from above takes root in our everyday lives.

By: Rev. Dr. Greg Mamula