James, Chapter 3, is one tough chapter! It begins with a warning to teachers that they will be judged “more strictly,” and then goes on to talk about the tongue (our speech) being unruly and a “world of evil among the parts of the body.” And he doesn’t stop there, he reminds us of the hypocrisy of using our tongue to bless and praise our Lord and Father one moment and curse men who are made in God’s likeness the next. (Both of which I seem to accomplish on my daily traffic-laden commute!)
James then turns his attention to wisdom. “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.” [James 3:13-14 NIV]
Read James’ instructions again, “Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done….”
How often we think of wisdom as being expressed solely by words, James says wisdom is expressed by “deeds done.” Then he adds a caveat … our deeds are done “in the humility that comes from wisdom.”
Knowledge alone often gives rise to arrogance. Wisdom, on the other hand, breeds humility. Wisdom governs how we use our knowledge and apply our good deeds so that they produce a good life. A good life is one that has its focus on God and His good and pleasing will.
Father, may I be wise as well as knowledgeable about the principles and ways of the Lord for my life. Amen.
