Category: Daily Devotion
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The Results of True Wisdom
“The seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace” (James 3:18). A wise life is a righteous life. Puritan minister Richard Baxter said, “Wisdom is honorable because it is the skill of doing good.” Like Baxter, James also sees a connection between wisdom and doing good. James 3:18 is…
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The Qualities of True Wisdom
“The wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy” (James 3:17). True wisdom is evident in a person’s behavior. What is true wisdom? James answers that question in verse 17 by pointing out the characteristics or qualities of true wisdom. After purity, the next…
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The Motive for True Wisdom
“The wisdom from above is first pure” (James 3:17). A pure life is necessary for a wise life. A person whose life is characterized by true wisdom will seek to be pure. The Greek word translated “pure” in James 3:17 refers to spiritual integrity and moral sincerity. It is freedom from bitter jealousy, selfish ambition,…
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The Results of False Wisdom
“Where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing” (James 3:16). False wisdom ruins lives. Renowned eighteenth-century theologian Jonathan Edwards said the following about the effect of the Fall on man:Sin, like some powerful astringent, contracted his soul to the very small dimensions of selfishness; and God was forsaken, and fellow-creatures…