Wisdom is “uncommon” sense

The book of James contains some of the most common-sense teachings in the New Testament but also teaches “uncommon” sense. At the beginning of his letter, James encouraged his first-century readers and all of us to maintain a steadfast, faith-filled relationship with God. He said that good works will result if we walk through life in a close relationship with God. James also said that if anyone lacked wisdom, he or she just needed to ask, and God would provide his wisdom generously.

James addressed wisdom again at the end of chapter 3. James, Jesus’s half-brother, had grown up learning and following the Old Testament teachings that Mary and Joseph would have insisted their children understand. James would have been taught the proverb, “The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding” (Proverbs 4:7). 

In many ways, James 3:13 is one of the most important questions in all Scripture. James asks his readers, “Who is wise and understanding among you?” Who comes to mind when you consider that question? If you’re like me, you have a list of people you consider “wise and understanding.”

For today, let’s also ask: “Whose list contains my name?” 

Are you wise and understanding?

James said that wise and understanding people are recognized by examining their actions. James wrote, “By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom” (James 3:13). The key to knowing if your life is full of wisdom is remembering the meaning of the word “meekness.”

James had just written about the power of our words and our great need to be careful with all we say. He wrote about the control a bit had in the horse’s mouth. He described a ship’s ability to be directed by a small rudder. Then James spoke about the “meekness of wisdom.” The meaning of the word meekness in the first century was literally a picture word for the submission of a war horse to the bit in its mouth. The meekness of wisdom reminds us that we need to submit ourselves to God in order to lead lives that God controls and guides. Submission to God’s control is our source of wisdom.

Who is wise and understanding among you? The person whose wisdom is produced by the power and grace of God and lives consistent with his word. How can you be wise? God makes us wise when we are fully submitted to his complete control in our lives. God didn’t intend for Jesus to be only a Savior. God intends for Jesus to be our Lord as well. That’s why God sent his Spirit to indwell our lives. Are we fully submitted to the Holy Spirit’s leadership?

Who is NOT wise and understanding?

James wrote, “But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice” (James 3:14–16).

We are not wise if we compare ourselves to others and feel like we deserve more than we have. We are not wise if we aim for what we want rather than what God wants. We are not wise if we stretch the truth to validate our opinions. James makes it clear that earthly standards for wisdom are unspiritual, even demonic. Earthly standards for truth produce disorder and every vile practice. 

Take a minute to consider the last newscast you watched or remember a recent political debate. We can know if we are listening to earthly ideas when those ideas are borne of worldly ambitions and standards. 

Common-sense Christianity requires us to seek wisdom, which is sadly not common enough in our world.

Why is wisdom “uncommon” sense?

James answers that question in verse 3:17. He wrote, “But the wisdom from above is . . .” Wisdom is uncommon sense because it comes from God alone. Humans cannot think like God, love like God, or be perfect like God. God’s children need to remember and acknowledge:

  • “For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding” (Proverbs 2:6).
  • “Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!” (Romans 11:33).
  • “Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable” (Isaiah 40:28).

God’s wisdom is “uncommon” sense because humans cannot produce it and rarely seek it. God’s wisdom must be requested and received.

What does God’s uncommon wisdom look like in us?

James said, “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere” (James 3:17).

God’s wisdom purifies, produces peace, and is gentle and reasonable. God’s wisdom fills a person with God’s love, character, and grace.

We will submit our lives to God and his Holy Spirit if we are wise. If we are wise, we will want to exude God’s character as our own. If our lives are filled with his wisdom, we will experience many moments of godliness.

What are the consequences of living with wisdom?

James told us, “A harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace” (James 3:18).

Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God” (Matthew 5:9).

Common-sense Christianity requires us to seek wisdom, whatever the cost, because we aren’t called to simply be peaceful people, we are called to “make” peace. God’s wisdom will produce God’s character in us, and we can help others make peace with their God. If we live with God’s wisdom, we will enjoy a “harvest of righteousness.”

Wouldn’t it be wonderful to fill this day and all that follows with God’s uncommon sense? Remember, James began his letter by saying, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him” (James 1:5).

Will you ask God for his “uncommon” sense now? 

The newness of life

Those of us who live in Texas are already enjoying the beginning of spring. The trees have begun to bud and the bulbs are shooting up with the promise of the flowers we will soon enjoy. And the ground is covered with pollen making everyone sneeze. (Not everything is perfect about spring in Texas!)

It’s hard not to smile when we look around at all God is able to produce from the earth, shrubs, and trees that only a few weeks ago looked dead. God’s creation is one of the best illustrations of God’s character. He is represented in all four seasons because each has a unique meaning and purpose for our lives. 

Jesus spoke with the Apostle John on the island of Patmos saying, “I am making everything new!” Then Jesus told John, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true” (Revelation 21:5). Jesus had just told John about the perfection of heaven and all that God’s people could look forward to when they gained their eternal lives. Jesus told John to write down all that he said about heaven because his words were “trustworthy and true.” 

Imagine the hope those words gave John, an elderly man living in exile and enduring hardship and pain each day. No matter what we possess on earth, it doesn’t compare with the riches of heaven. No matter what we face in our earthly lives, we have a great and powerful hope because of Christ. 

Our lives have seasons too

God is always inching us closer to heaven, the place where we will truly have the peace-filled life he wants for us. Heaven is the place where we will finally comprehend how much we are loved by our Creator.  

The hope of heaven is as real as the hope of each spring. Aren’t you glad we can celebrate Easter this time of year? God’s timing is exquisite. Jesus “looked” dead when they placed his body in the tomb, but the only thing that had died was the power of sin. Christians emerge from the baptismal waters to witness to the world that they have been made new.  

Our faith practices shout to the world that Jesus was raised from the dead and, through faith, that can be true for everyone. Each spring season is the chance to remember we are one year closer to our final, eternal rebirth. 

A new focus

I like this quote from a character named Socrates in Way of the Peaceful Warrior: “The secret to change is to focus all of your energy not on fighting the old, but on building the new.” 

Most of us look forward to each season and the promise of change. As wonderful as spring is, we look forward to the warm days of summer. When we grow tired of the heat and dried-up flowers, we are presented with the amazing colors of the fall. And, after the fullness of the fall season fades and the lights of the holidays are boxed up, we rejoice at the quiet simplicity of the winter months. 

When we embrace the changes in life, we enjoy the God who provides each season. This world is a reminder that change is an inevitable gift provided by our unchanging God. God never changes because he is perfect and doesn’t need to change. Our world tells a much different story.  

It’s good to gain a new focus with each season of the year and with every season of our lives. God will always step into our plans with his will to “make everything new” again. His plan is to prosper us and not to harm us as Jeremiah 29:11 makes clear.  

God gave us this season

It might surprise you to know that I struggle every Easter to embrace the joy. I’m actually grateful for the Monday after Easter Sunday. It breaks my heart to remember all that Jesus endured to provide for our celebration. In many ways, the Easter story is about the price paid for our sins. I’m sad Easter Sunday was necessary. I don’t ever want to forget that the majority of the Easter story was incredibly difficult for everyone who loved Jesus. 

We can’t know the depth of God’s love for us until we understand the depth of his commitment to us. God gave us his Son. God gave us Easter. God gave us spring as our annual reminder that only he can give life to what was dead. 

God holds our future. He doesn’t reveal it.

The disciples would probably describe the days between Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday as the most difficult week of their lives. In the space of one week, joy turned to fear, fear to distress, distress to anguish, and then anguish to uncertainty. It would be a while before uncertainty turned to joy. Our future will have each of those emotions as well. 

I like this quote from the Christian author Bob Goff: “Embrace uncertainty. Some of the most beautiful chapters in our lives won’t have a title until much later.” It might be a surprise to some but the title is often the most difficult part of what we author. Oftentimes, my title changes as a blog post, Bible study, or book evolves. 

The same is true with life. We think we know our direction and then God guides us to a different place. How is your life different from your past thoughts, goals, or dreams? 

God doesn’t reveal our future but instead holds it in the palm of his hand. He feeds our life with breadcrumbs, one direction at a time. Christians know our destination, but we each have our own path to take in order to arrive there.  

We know the next season will come, but we don’t know what we will be doing when it arrives. As Bob Goff suggested, we should “embrace” the uncertainty. Each chapter can’t really be titled until it has been lived. 

Enjoy spring but meditate on Easter

Once again, Jesus is making all things new. Enjoy watching the trees bud and the bulbs send out their flowers. But, don’t forget to grab a tissue before your afternoon walk. It’s spring (at least here in Texas)! If you live in Wyoming, think of this blog post as a promise for your future. 

For all of us, it’s time to do some deep thinking about all this season meant to our Lord. Jesus came so that one day we could leave this changing world and enter the perfection God has always wanted for his creation.  

Let every hint of spring serve to remind us that God can give life to what was dead. Let’s embrace the changes of life and the newness of each season knowing that each one moves us a little closer to our promise of eternal joy. 

Jesus said, “I am making everything new!” 

Those words are trustworthy truth all of us can embrace.