This is the first of our series on practical wisdom from the book of James.
As we look at the wisdom in James, understand that this is not just about understanding words of wisdom. These are words from God that we can apply in our lives. This is about God’s desire for us to live by His wisdom.
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Understanding Wisdom
Wisdom is one of those things where we have an idea what it is. We usually know if someone’s lacking wisdom, but there’s still mystery to what it means.
It’s also possible to confuse intelligence and wisdom. Someone can be very intelligent but not make wise choices. A person can be very wise but not as well educated. So, what is the distinction between the two?
It’s good for us to get a common understanding of what wisdom is. There are a number of ways people define wisdom.
“Wisdom,” in the Bible, “is knowing the greatest goal in any situation and the best way to achieve that goal.”
John Piper
Wisdom is truth applied in specific situations for godly ends.
Meridith Myers
There are many definitions of wisdom, but the best center center on Godly understanding and choosing the best course of action. For today and the rest of the series, we’ll define wisdom as a Godly understanding and ability to choose, discern, or judge what is best.
Wisdom is a Godly understanding and ability to choose, discern, or judge what is best.
The definition of wisdom we will use for this series
Wisdom is worth pursuing
A proper understanding of wisdom can make wisdom attractive. It can be like that fast food place you drive by and think, I want some of that.
Wisdom is worth pursuing because it’s so valuable. After King David’s death when Solomon becomes king, God comes to him in a dream and offers him anything he wants. Solomon could have chosen riches, a long life, power or anything else. He asked for wisdom.
Now, Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?”
I Kings 3:7-9 (NIV)
We see the value of wisdom in God’s response. He was so pleased at this request that he not only granted wisdom, but also promised wealth, honor, and long life.
In Proverbs, wisdom is portrayed as a woman who God constantly encourages people to pursue
Take my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold; for wisdom is better than jewels, and all that you may desire cannot compare with her.” Wisdom is God’s treasure, and He offers it to you. Seek it with all your heart and He will give you His understanding.
Proverbs 8:10-11
Wisdom in the Book of James
The book of James is full of wisdom that God desires that we pursue.
This book was written by James, the brother of Jesus. Our understanding is that while Jesus was alive, James did not believe that Jesus was the Messiah. At some point, he came to believe, to the extent that became a leader in the early church. He was known as a wise and courageous leader whose wisdom was honored in Acts 15.
James was written during a time of intense persecution. People had no idea what was going to happen next, and it was a time where they needed guidance. It was in this environment that James wrote of wisdom and whole-heartedly following Jesus.
If you desire wisdom, go to the source (God)
If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
James 1:5
The first thing we see from James is that if you lack wisdom or want to grow in wisdom, you should go to the source: God.
The place Jenna and I used to live had some major plumbing issues, sometimes with water spewing all over. It took several calls for maintenance to find that there wasn’t a problem in our unit. The way units were stacked, somehow plumbing problems in a unit above would create problems for those units below. They discovered that to fix the problem in our unit, they had to go to the source of the unit above us.
James tells us that wisdom comes from God. If we want wisdom, we must go to the source. Scriptures reinforce this idea.
For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
Proverbs 2:6
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.
Psalm 111:10
In hardship, we can and ought to go to God for wisdom.
Count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing hat the testing of your faith produces patience.
James 1:2-3
Remember that this was written during a time of persecution. After referencing trials in the start of his letter, he encouraged believers to seek answers to the trials from the source of wisdom.
A story is told of some church leaders who, after being unable to come up with a solution to an issue, one leader suggests they pray about it. One of the other leaders responded, “has it really come to that?”
God should not be our last resort when we have hardship. He doesn’t want to be Plan B. He gives generously, meaning we have permission to ask. We’re told that God won’t rebuke or judge us for asking.
A friend in college always knew the right thing to say, and I commented on his wisdom. He responded that wisdom was the one thing he prayed for most as a child, because God promised to would give it.
It’s like when kids are trick or treating and they come to the house that gives out the full-sized candy bars. It’s the best thing in the world (though parents may not agree, especially after the dental bills). We need to remember that when it comes to wisdom, he is generous, and his wisdom is desirable.
After asking God for wisdom, use the wisdom He gives you
But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.
James 1:6-8
When we doubt, we’re like the waves tossed around the sea without an anchor or any kind of stability. We go back and forth in uncertainty. James says that person isn’t to receive anything because they’re double-minded and unstable.
That seems like a harsh response. Double-minded is best translated “double souled.” In other words, a person is split internally, going back and forth between what they want and what God wants for them. They go back and forth between God’s promises and their worry
Have you ever had someone ask you for adVice, and after listening, thinking, an praying you offer a suggestion and then they do the opposite? And when you do so, they do just the opposite. Then they come back a second time, you give them a second chance, and the same thing happens. At what point do you decide to quit offering advice?
God is not stingy with his wisdom. He’s generous. But there’s also a point where we have to accept it. We need to run with what he gives us.
This passage goes deeper than addressing doubt. It involves following through on what we do ask of God.
I think of Peter in the boat seeing Jesus walk on water during a storm. He said that if it’s really you, then call me to join you. Jesus does, and Peter starts walking on the water. We focus on how Peter was distracted by the waves and began to doubt, but we have to remember that Peter had the faith to call out to Jesus and to step out of teh boat. He could have just said I’m fine, I’ll stay right here.
We miss the boat when we ask for wisdom but decide not to follow through on that wisdom.
The wisdom of God is reliable.
It’s easy to say we trust God’s wisdom, but like Peter when we’re in the middle of it, it’s not always so easy to do. There are times you can feel very vulnerable. Trusting God can be scary. But God promises that His Word is reliable.
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
Isaiah 55:8-9
We know we have the Holy Spirit within us. God can see the things we can’t see. He knows the things we don’t know. If he’s on a higher plain and able to see a bigger picture, doesn’t it make sense to trust his direction?
God’s word is reliable. When he offers us wisdom, we should follow it. Don’t turn from it. Take him at his word.
Well-intentioned people will offer advice. They may truly believe it’s the best option, but if it goes against God’s will, choose God’s wisdom instead. Don’t turn from it.
You can trust God’s wisdom, because he’s the source of wisdom. His wisdom will not fail.