What comes to mind when you think of “true wisdom”?
When I first thought of it, my mind went to the wisdom we hear from a grandparent or an elder. The ‘tried and true’ that spans generations. These wisdoms normally end up in a cookbook or are shared around the family dinner table.
Eventually, the ‘tried and true’ that we’ve overused can get worn down. The cliches we play over and over aren’t helping us learn our lesson. What we’ve known as our “true wisdom” begins to lose its integrity.
One of the most fascinating attributes of reading scripture is the effect it has on you each time that you read it. You can read the same verse, chapter, or study the same book, and have a completely different experience every time.
For example, read this section from James 3;
“If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your heart, don’t cover up the truth with boasting and lying. For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind. But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.”
What stood out to you when you’d finished reading?
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, God’s word is living and breathing.
A couple of years ago, we spent weeks walking through the book of James with our church youth group. We followed along with a study by Francis Chan, and we slowly broke God’s word down verse by verse.
The five chapter book took us almost 3 months to get through. The section like I’d shared above would have been broken down into smaller pieces and discussed in depth as a group.
“If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom.”
Live an honorable life and do good things.
“But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your heart, don’t cover up the truth with boasting and lying.”
Don’t suppress the way you feel. Feel the hard feelings.
“For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom.”
What good comes from being jealous or selfish?
“Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic.”
Jealousy and selfishness are good for nothing.
“For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind.”
Disorder in our lives is a direct result of our selfishness and jealousy.
“But the wisdom from above is first of all pure.”
God offers us supernatural healing and nurtures our misunderstanding.
“It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others.”
God’s healing brings peace, love, and the ability to set healthy boundaries.
“It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds.”
Letting God heal us gives us the power to help others heal.
“It shows no favoritism and is always sincere.”
We begin to treat others the way God intended.
“And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.”
Those who stick with God will see the fruits of their commitment.
Does this scripture speak differently when you break it down piece by piece?
I’ve come to believe that we optimize our growth emotionally, spiritually, and physically when we invest in those areas consistently. Instead of setting unattainable goals and making promises I can’t keep, I seek to find small habits or actions that could be incorporated naturally.
Emotional Growth:
- Understanding your personality patterns and triggers
- Better communication habits, being clear, direct, and thoughtful when you speak
- Addressing hurt or trauma you’ve experienced to begin the process of healing
Spiritual Growth:
- Reading and memorizing scripture
- Joining a church or finding a place to serve others in your community
- Pray, seek, and put in the effort to build a relationship with Jesus
Physical Growth:
- Incorporate better eating habits, less sugar, more water, and notice how different foods affect your body
- Walk 10,000 steps daily
- Find an exercise that you actually enjoy doing, and/or incorporate some kind of physical activity everyday
True wisdom doesn’t come when we are rushing through life. True wisdom comes from slowing down, listening, and aligning our life with the way God wants us to be living.
My challenge for you this week is to reflect on how you are growing emotionally, spiritually, and physically. Piece by piece. Begin your reflection with grace for where you are, and don’t get down on yourself if you are not where you thought you’d be.
A life without true wisdom is a hard life to lead. May the true wisdom from God wash over you this week! My prayer is that He helps you bust through anything holding you back so you can keep on growing.
Peace be with you always, all ways.
Makenna Curtis
Faith & Entertainment Writer
Local Pulse Pensacola
