One of the virtues highly sought after among people is wisdom. Men and women of understanding are in high demand in every sector of the nation and in every sphere of human endeavor. But what many don’t know is that not every wisdom in operation is from God. Any wisdom that is not from God is a potential trap with a mission to lead people to destruction. Therefore, it is important to know the character of the wisdom that comes from God in order to appropriate it and avoid falling into destruction.
Understanding the Character of Divine Wisdom
James 3:17 says, “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.” From this verse, we can see a list of character attributes of the wisdom of God. These are what one should look for in any wisdom that is on display, and if they are not evident, such wisdom should be discarded. Let’s delve into these characteristics and see how they operate.
#1 It is pure;
Purity is the hallmark of divine wisdom. The Bible says, “But be holy in every detail of your lives, as He whose servants you are is holy;” (1 Peter 1:15 BBE). Holiness is the nature of God, and every wisdom that originates from God must uphold the standard of righteousness. God’s wisdom will not lead you to compromise your Christian faith by sinning. For instance, the wisdom of God will not ask a young lady to have sex with an employer in order to secure a job or contract. Neither will it prompt you to lie in order to secure a visa, promotion, or employment. God’s wisdom operates in righteousness and leads you on the path of holiness.
#2 It is peaceable.
The Bible says, “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord;” (Hebrews 12:14 KJV). The wisdom of God is identified by a peaceful outcome. Whatever God’s wisdom creates will always promote peace, both in the life of the benefactor and the beneficiary. Peace is a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22) and is, therefore, a characteristic of divine wisdom. Any wisdom or invention that threatens the peace of others is not from God. Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27 KJV).
#3 It is gentle;
Everyone operating in the wisdom of God carries a gentle demeanor. Arrogance is not a characteristic of divine wisdom. The Bible says, “And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient;” (2 Timothy 2:24 KJV). The wisdom of God makes people gentle despite the great exploits it produces. Under the influence of the wisdom of God, you see God as the doer of wonders and are humble enough to give Him glory. God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble (James 4:6).
#4 It is easy to be entreated;
The wisdom of God is not domineering. It does not seek to control or manipulate people into doing what they don’t want to do. The wisdom of God appeals to our understanding and grants us the power of choice to obey. Paul the apostle said to the people, “Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.” (1 Corinthians 4:16 KJV). The wisdom of God will persuade you but will not suppress you. Any wisdom that imposes itself on people or intimidates them is not from God.
#5 It is full of mercy;
Divine wisdom is full of mercy. It is not oppressive but lifts people up, even when they least qualify. Whenever divine wisdom is in operation, the door of mercy is opened to as many as will enter. The Bible says, “Therefore, God’s choice does not depend on a person’s will or effort, but on God Himself, who shows mercy” (Romans 9:16 ISV). God is merciful, and His wisdom is an extension of His mercy to us.
#6 It is full of good fruits;
Whenever the wisdom of God is in operation, good fruits are the result. For instance, a home built on the wisdom of God will result in a blissful marriage. Whenever you see bad outcomes, it indicates that people may have disregarded divine wisdom. The Bible says, “A good tree doesn’t produce rotten fruit, and a rotten tree doesn’t produce good fruit” (Luke 6:43 ISV). God’s wisdom operating in your life will make you a good person and will be evident in the good fruits emanating from your life.
#7 It is without partiality;
God’s wisdom does not show favoritism. It gives preference to all people. Those operating with divine wisdom do not despise others; they allow God to use them to effect change in people’s lives and systems, even if they are unqualified. The Bible says, “And God created us all; he has no favorites, whether rich or poor.” (Job 34:19 CEV). Wherever there is discrimination or any form of partiality, the wisdom of God is not in operation. Whether in the church or public places, God’s wisdom accommodates all people.
#8 It is without hypocrisy;
God’s wisdom is sincere. It is plain and not deceptive. The wisdom of God does not pretend to be what it is not. The Bible says, “Your love must be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good” (Romans 12:9 ISV). The wisdom of the world may seek to deceive, but the wisdom of God, which operates in love, is sincere and does not deceive.
By embracing these qualities, we can navigate the complexities of our existence with clarity and purpose. We can become agents of positive change in a world too often marred by division and discord. Divine wisdom empowers us not only to transform our own lives but also to contribute to the betterment of our communities and the world at large.
As you take the time to observe and incorporate the characteristics of divine wisdom into your life, you’ll not only steer clear of the destructive path of worldly wisdom but also position yourself to receive the boundless wisdom that flows from the divine source. May you journey forward in the light of divine wisdom, becoming a beacon of hope and inspiration to all you encounter. Remain blessed in Jesus’ name.