There’s an old saying that explains the difference between knowledge and wisdom:
Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
Although … that might be delicious—I do enjoy a good fruit salsa—but I digress.
The Bible has a lot to say about knowledge and wisdom. In fact, the Bible mentions wisdom at least 141 times, and it occurs about 41 times in the book of Proverbs alone. Five Old Testament books are classified as wisdom literature (Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Solomon) and address many perplexing and paradoxical issues. They are meant to draw us beyond asking “Why?” and recognizing that God is the answer.
Wisdom in the Book of James
Today, in the middle of our Hard Truths series, let’s focus on what James teaches us about wisdom in his epistle, which we’ve been studying for a few weeks. James first mentions wisdom at the very start of his letter to the “twelve tribes of Israel:”
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
As we learned earlier this month, when we ask this of God, we must ask empowered by confident faith without doubting that we will receive it. When we ask for it in faith, God generously gives us wisdom and gives us the ability to see life from His point of view. The Greek word for wisdom is sophias, which depicts this idea of insight and skill. Essentially, it is the ability to judge correctly and to follow the best course of action based on knowledge and understanding from experience. Wisdom is the ability to see something from God’s point of view.
Earthly Wisdom vs. Godly Wisdom
James doesn’t just leave us with the encouragement to ask for wisdom; he also explains the stark contrast between earthly wisdom and godly wisdom. In James 3:13-16, he writes:
Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. 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 down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.
James is making it crystal clear: there’s a significant difference between wisdom that comes from God and wisdom that comes from the world. As Carmelita explains in day twenty of the devotional, earthly wisdom is often characterized by bitter jealousy, selfish ambition, boasting, and deceit. It’s centered on self—what can I get, how can I look good, how can I get ahead? This wisdom breeds disorder and all sorts of destructive behaviors. It’s a wisdom that relies on human logic and emotions, which can easily mislead us when they’re not aligned with God’s truth. Make note of James’ use of the words unspiritual and demonic in conjunction with earthly. In their original language, these words mean animal-like and demon-like, respectively, meaning this type of wisdom is no different from the wisdom demons have. That’s a sobering truth!
On the other hand, James challenges us to demonstrate true wisdom through good conduct and a spirit of meekness. Godly wisdom isn’t loud or self-promoting; it’s humble, peace-loving, gentle, and willing to yield. It seeks God’s glory, not our own. True wisdom doesn’t just claim to be wise; it proves it through the way we live.
But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
James 3:17-18
This description of wisdom reminds me of Paul’s words about love in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a:
Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.
Both wisdom and love are marked by the fruits of the Spirit, originate from God, and are demonstrated through our actions that seek the greater good. Wisdom guides how we navigate life's complexities and make decisions that lead to peace and righteousness. Love, on the other hand, motivates our actions and attitudes, driving us to act selflessly and with compassion.
In practice, wisdom and love work together to guide us in living a life that reflects God's character. Wisdom informs how to love rightly—discerning what is best for others and how to act in a way that brings peace and edification. Love ensures that our wisdom is applied with a heart of compassion and humility.
Both are essential for a balanced and godly life. Wisdom without love can be ineffective, while love without wisdom can lack direction. Together, they lead to actions that are both righteous and kind, resulting in a harvest of righteousness and peace.
Practical Steps to Walk in Godly Wisdom
So, how do we walk in the wisdom that God longs to give us in love? Here are some practical steps rooted in Scripture to help us live wisely:
Fear the Lord
The prerequisite to walking in wisdom is the fear of the Lord. Proverbs 1:7 tells us, The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. To fear the Lord means to have a deep reverence and awe for who God is. It’s acknowledging His greatness, His power, and His authority over our lives. It’s recognizing that His ways are higher than our ways and His thoughts higher than our thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9). When we start with a heart posture of reverence, we are positioned to receive and apply God’s wisdom in our lives.
Seek God in Prayer
James 1:5 already gave us the clear instruction: if we lack wisdom, we should ask God for it. But we must ask with faith, without doubting (James 1:6). This isn’t a one-time request—it’s a daily dependence on God. Proverbs 2:6 reminds us, For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding. Our prayers should be conversations where we seek His guidance and wait expectantly for His direction. We need to cultivate a habit of turning to God first, rather than trying to figure things out on our own or relying on worldly advice.
Immerse Yourself in God’s Word
Psalm 119:105 says, Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. God’s Word is full of wisdom, and when we immerse ourselves in it, we align our hearts and minds with His. The more we meditate on Scripture, the more we understand God’s character and His desires for us. We learn from the examples of people who walked wisely and those who didn’t. We see the consequences of earthly wisdom and the blessings of godly wisdom. God’s Word is our manual for living wisely.
Surround Yourself with Wise Counsel
Proverbs 13:20 says, Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm. We are influenced by the people around us, so it’s important to surround ourselves with those who pursue godly wisdom. Seek out mentors, friends, or a community that values God’s perspective over the world’s. Sometimes, God speaks wisdom into our lives through the wise counsel of others. Don’t isolate yourself; wisdom often grows in the context of community.
Be Humble and Teachable
James 3:13 emphasizes meekness as a characteristic of true wisdom. Meekness isn’t weakness; it’s great strength under great control. It’s being willing to listen, learn, and change. Proverbs 11:2 says, When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom. A humble heart is open to correction and willing to admit when it’s wrong. It’s recognizing that we don’t have all the answers and that we need God’s guidance daily.
Apply Wisdom in Your Actions
Wisdom isn’t just about knowing the right thing; it’s about doing it. James challenges us to show our wisdom through our good conduct (James 3:13). Jesus says in Matthew 7:24, Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. Wisdom is practical. It’s choosing to respond with grace when someone wrongs us. It’s making ethical decisions even when no one is watching. It’s being patient when it’s easier to rush. Wisdom is applied knowledge; it’s knowledge in action.
Trust in the Lord’s Wisdom Over Your Own
Proverbs 3:5-6 is a familiar passage, but it’s foundational for walking in wisdom: Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths. Trusting God means surrendering our limited understanding and believing that His way is best, even when it doesn’t make sense to us. It’s letting go of the need to control and letting God lead.
Walking in wisdom is not about being the smartest person in the room or having all the answers. It’s about a heart posture that seeks God’s perspective and is willing to live it out in love. Earthly wisdom is easy to come by, but it leads to chaos and strife. Godly wisdom, however, is pure, peaceable, gentle, and full of mercy (James 3:17). It’s a wisdom that reflects the heart of God and points others to Him. So, let’s ask God for wisdom daily, walk humbly with Him, and let His wisdom guide our steps in every season of life.