Recognizing Wisdom From Above in Your Life

The readings of the 25^th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B) speak to us about the wisdom of God. The 1^st Reading begins by warning that when you choose to follow the wisdom of God (and try to be upright in your life), you become a reproach to those who live by the principles of this world (cf. Wisdom 2:17-20). Therefore, you should expect to face persecution in one form or another. In the 2^nd Reading, we find St. James just as he makes a turn from speaking of the wisdom that is from below and introduces us to the wisdom that is from above (cf. James 3:16-4:3).

Natural Wisdom vs Godly Wisdom

Many of us struggle to differentiate between two closely related and yet very different things: knowledge and wisdom. In simple terms, we understand knowledge as the accumulation of information, whereas wisdom is the application of the right information in a given situation. In essence. knowledge should help us make a living while wisdom makes a life. There is so much knowledge in the world today, and yet we are mostly bleeding dry of wisdom. Worldly wisdom which is natural wisdom comprising of intellectual capacity and experience is the fruit of earthly reasoning and logic. It usually offers man the best answer to a question or problem; yet, it is so vastly different from the true godly wisdom.

In his teaching about godly wisdom, St. James begins by urging us to take advantage of the generosity of God and to ask for wisdom when we need it because He stands ready to give it without reproach to His people (cf. James 1:5). True wisdom is one of those perfect gifts that come from above, coming from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow (cf. James 1:17). As we learn in the Proverbs, it is the Lord who gives wisdom, and from His mouth come knowledge and understanding (cf. Proverbs 2:6). Therefore, a person who finds wisdom and one who obtains understanding is blessed; for its profit is better than the profit of silver, and the gains so much better than gold (cf. Proverbs 3:13-14).

Wisdom is Being More Than Smart

Scripture describes godly wisdom bestowed upon those who asked for it. From Bezaleel who received his wisdom from the Lord for the workmanship of building the tabernacle (cf. Exodus 31:1-5) to Daniel and his friends whom God gave knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom (cf. Daniel. 1:17a), and to the Disciples to whom the Lord Jesus promised to give a mouth and wisdom which all adversaries should neither gainsay nor resist (cf. Luke 21:15) and which was exemplified in St. Stephen (cf. Acts 6:10).

It is noteworthy that wisdom from God is primarily a matter of the heart, not of the head (cf. Exodus 36:2). Thus, a man of wisdom must be more than what the world calls smart – being both moral and spiritual. This does not in any way belittle the intellect; nonetheless, it emphasizes the heart condition as being above the mind. However, as St. Paul so aptly puts it, as good as having all the Bible knowledge might be, it still is not as important as having a right heart condition (cf. 1 Corinthians 13:1-3).

Wisdom from Below

St. James begins by posing a rhetorical question about our concept of how we qualify wise and understanding. He then quickly describes the truly wise as the understanding person whose faith in God leads to selfless good works. He adds that wise people live in the humility of wisdom, and set themselves aside to serve others (cf. James 3:13). This contrasts worldly wisdom which leaves each person responsible to serve him/herself first. It is our earthly attitudes that are driven by envy for what others have, and ambition to take it that result in disorder and evil. Such wisdom originates in the fallen, sinful minds of humans who are dead in their sins, following the power of the air (cf. Ephesians 2:1-3). This earthly, natural, demonic wisdom from below is marred by bitter jealousy, selfish ambition, arrogance, and/or dishonesty. It is in opposition to the peace, gentleness, and mercy that follow from living by heaven’s wisdom.

The Eight Excellences of Wisdom

If anyone wants to succeed, he/she must get wisdom (cf. Proverbs 4:7). But how do you acquire something that you do not know? You need to understand what it is you are looking for, to acquire it.

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. (James 3:17 ). (NIV)

Thus, St. James describes wisdom from above as:

• first of all, pure

Everything from above is pure; everything from below is defiled. The Word of God came from above; it is pure (cf. Psalm 19:8). The Spirit of God is from above; He is the Holy Spirit (cf. Acts 2:4). Christ also came from above, and He is pure (cf. 1 John 3:3). Therefore, we expect wisdom from above to be likewise pure. A person may be intelligent in many ways and yet lacking in wisdom; for impurity brings great mischief and injures a person’s health and testimony. Reading the Word of God has a cleansing effect on our minds and lives. The pure Word infiltrates through our mind and cleanses it from any defilement like a pure stream carries away any impurity thrown into it.

Wisdom from above is pure in all its motives. With wisdom from above, we shall not use impure or dishonourable methods to satisfy our ambitions. We remember that purity averts disasters and brings positive blessings. As St. Matthew reminds us, “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they will see God” (Matthew 5:8). Before I concern myself with the purity of others, I must myself be pure (cf. 1 Timothy 5:22b); otherwise, I can be of no help in the cleansing of others. We must be like the light that stays pure despite touching impurities. This means staying close to the Lord Jesus, seeking to be filled with His Spirit. Every day, the Lord Jesus preserved His purity in the face of His contact with impure things. Today, He draws the impure to His bosom, keeping pure Himself, and yet purifying the impure.

• then peaceable

Wisdom from above is not quarrelsome and factious. We must seek to put an end to bitterness and animosity, reconciling those at enmity. Whatever we do, must make us peaceable (cf. Hebrews 12:14). There must be peace in the Body of Christ and every sphere of life. Remember that “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God” (Matthew 5:9). We must try as much as possible to live peaceably with all men (cf. Romans 12:18).

The Lord Jesus Christ is our peace (cf. Ephesians 2:14). He came into the world, and the angels declared peace on earth (cf. Luke 2:14). He left the earth having bestowed peace on His disciples (cf. John 14:27). Isaiah prophesied of Him as The Prince of Peace (cf. Isaiah 9:6). If we are to be peaceable, He must be enthroned in our hearts.

• gentle

St. Paul urges us through the gentleness and clemency of Christ (cf. 2 Corinthians 10:1), the Good Shepherd who shows gentleness to His flock (cf. Isaiah 40:11). St. Paul demonstrates some of this gentleness in his writings (cf. 1 Thessalonians 2:7b) and shows the spirit of love and kindness (cf. 2 Timothy 2:24). He also exhorts all Christians to slander no one, not to be contentious, to be gentle, showing every consideration for all people (cf. Titus 3:2).

Such gentleness is sweet reasonableness. It is forbearing, courteous, and considerate. It is quick to excuse the failings in others rather than condemn them. It is never rude, overbearing, or soon angered. It is kind even when greatly provoked and violently opposed. It is kind in the assembly, at home and in the world.

• easy to be intreated

Anyone could come to the Lord Jesus at any time of the day (or night), and He was ready to hear and grant their requests. From defiled lepers to sinful women, to Pharisees like Nicodemus, they came to Him and found Him easy to be entreated. He responded to every cry of help – from blind Bartimeaus’ “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me!” (cf. Luke 18:38) to sinking Peter’s “Lord save me!” (cf. Matthew 14:30). Even today, He hears when any cry out to Him. What about me (and you)? Are we easy to be entreated?

To be easy to be entreated means we are quick to forgive. It means to bear with the sins of others, to have a sympathetic heart, and to be quick to assist the needy. It demands that we be submissive, cooperative, ready to obey authority, approachable, ready to listen, open to conviction, easily pacified, and ready to admit wrong. We cannot hold grudges for years, and say we forgive and yet never forget. We shall not be hard on any who err, nor lack sympathy for failing or suffering. We cannot be so obstinate as to not change our minds or ways. We shall not resent any authority be it at home, in the assembly, or at work.

• full of mercy

Stephen was filled not only with the Holy Spirit but also with faith and power (Acts 6:5&8) as was Barnabas (cf. Acts 11:24) and Dorcas, who was full of good works (cf. Acts 9:36). The Lord Jesus was full of grace and truth (cf. John 1:14). We too become a full man or woman when the Lord and His graces fill us. Wisdom makes a tender man, who has sympathy for the fatherless and the widow (cf. James 1:27). One who will show compassion and kindness for the downtrodden, the suffering, and the undeserving. One who helps those in need, forgiving those who offend. As the Lord has been so merciful to us, so must we be full of mercy to others (cf. Matthew 18:23-35).

• full of good fruits

We know that good works in and of themselves do not produce salvation, but salvation does produce good works (cf. Ephesians 2:8-10). We must take every opportunity to do good (Galatians 6:10). When one is born from above, like Christ, he/she has wisdom from above, and a stream of good works follow in his/her track (cf. Acts 10:38). The words good fruits immediately call to mind the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22&23). These are fruits we can produce only if we have life from Him and are in submission to Him (cf. Philippians 1:11).

• without partiality

Wisdom from above is impartial with pure motives. It does not favour rich beyond poor, wise over ignorant, or good above bad. It does not favour its own nationality over another. Its vocabulary is continually for whosoever, for anyone, for any man or woman. An impartial person has fixed principles. With him/her right is right and wrong is wrong, be it today, tomorrow or forever. He/she will always be on the side of right, consistent, persistent and unfaltering, yet gentle. Our impartiality should reflect Christ, who was condemned for it (cf. Luke 15:2).

• without hypocrisy

Christians sometimes show hypocrisy when it is to their advantage to do so. When we confess to love one a great deal whom we really despise, that is hypocrisy. When we profess zeal for something we really do not believe in, that is hypocrisy. Wisdom is honest and sincere. That means we do not profess to be something we are not. We must be dependable. We must be filled with simplicity and godly sincerity. We must be perfectly transparent in all our ways, emulating Nathanael, in whom was no guile (cf. John 1:47). We shall not love in word or speech, but in deed and truth (cf. 1 John 3:18).

Take-Home:

Godly wisdom is embodied in our encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ. He is Wisdom incarnate. He is wisdom manifest in human flesh. He is the living example of a life that is walking in spirit and truth. He is the image of the invisible God and the perfect representation of the way that godly men and god-fearing women should live. In Him, is the fruit of the Spirit evidenced in the wisdom that comes from above. This is where purity and peace amalgamate in perfect union. This is where meekness and mercy embrace one another. This is where graciousness and goodness integrate with sincerity and truth. This is where righteousness and grace – the garments of sincerity and truth – are worn by the benefactor of Christlike wisdom from above.