“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)
God’s wisdom always keeps it real. It doesn’t have a hidden agenda. It doesn’t do nice things for you with a secret motive to get something from you afterwards.
Why? Because those living on God’s wisdom are “impartial,” a word that here means “not uncertain” or “not doubting.” We are wisely convinced that living for God is the best possible path for us and that He will meet all of our needs (and many of our wants).
So we don’t have to try to manipulate each other to get what we want. In his wisdom, I understand that I don’t need anything from anyone except him. I am free to be completely sincere, completely who I am in Christ. I don’t need to fudge the truth or threaten people or deploy my sales tactics. I can afford to do the best thing for you and let God worry about your response to me.
Think: Why does living by the world’s self-serving version of wisdom require us to avoid being sincere, to become hypocrites when we pretend to be motivated by doing good for others?
Pray: Ask God to help you to live in his pure, peace-loving, considerate, submissive, merciful, fruitful, convinced, sincere wisdom.
Do: Make a quick list of words that are the opposites of those wisdom characteristics mentioned in today’s verse: pure (e.g., “impure” or “diluted”), peace-loving, considerate, submissive, merciful, fruitful, impartial, sincere. Notice how those opposite character qualities lead to unwise living in your life.