Young Adults' Group

The Challenge To Be Wise And Understanding (I)

by Pastor Mark
May 21, 2020

Checking our wisdom

In the midst of the trials of life, it is hard to make wise choices. But how do we know that our choices reflect a person who is wise and understanding? The Apostle James raised a vital question for all to consider, “Who is wise and understanding among you?” (James 3:13)

Wisdom is connected to understanding. There is a close association between them. How do we know that we are wise and understanding? James gave three distinctive marks of a wise and understanding man, “Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom.” (James 3:13)

1. He has good conduct or behaviour. His wisdom in reflected in the way he lives his life.
2. He has works. His wisdom would be manifested in good works.
3. He has meekness of wisdom. The word “meekness” in Greek is “prautes” which means “gentle and humble”. His kind of wisdom is gentle and humble. This meekness of wisdom would be reflected in our good conduct as we do God’s works.

Let us ensure that we have all the distinctive marks of being wise and understanding.

The danger of having worldly wisdom

James provided a contrast as to what a wise and understanding man is. (James 3:14)

1. He is a person who has bitter envy, deep-seated jealousy.
2. He has a self-seeking heart, having selfish ambition that leads to strife with others.
3. He is always boasting, to exalt himself over others.
4. He has no qualms about lying against the truth.

A person who chooses to live his life in this manner has no meekness of wisdom.

The source of worldly wisdom

Where does such wisdom come from? (James 3:15)

1. It is not from above. It is not from God.
2. It is earthly. It is man-made wisdom.
3. It is sensual. It is according to our natural senses.
4. It is demonic. It is from the evil one.

It is most disconcerting to think that if we were to make choices based on worldly wisdom, it may be due to the influences of the evil one. The results of applying such wisdom are confusion and much evil. (James 3:16) Let us be wary of such potential dangers.

An unwise decision of David

While we appreciate how David became an outstanding king, there were decisions that he had made that reflected worldly wisdom. One of them was when he decided to count the number of men of Israel, his army. The chroniclers described that Satan had moved David to number Israel. (1 Chron 21:1) Even though his general, Joab, strongly advised David against it, he was just too proud to listen. He sought to take pride in how large his military army was.

As David fell into sin, God became angry with him and there were grave consequences. His decision was self-seeking and for his own boasting. His wisdom was earthly, of the natural senses and truly of demonic influence by Satan himself. It was in total contrast to the meekness of wisdom that James wrote about. King Solomon wrote, “When pride comes, then comes shame; but with the humble is wisdom.” (Prov 11:2) Let us be challenged to guard ourselves from worldly wisdom. Let us choose to be wise and understanding.

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