James: Faith in ActionSample

What is Wisdom?

If you think of someone who is wise, who comes to mind? Maybe a fictional character like Gandalf from The Lord of the Rings or Professor Dumbledore from Harry Potter. They always seem to know what the right thing to do is. Or maybe after reading the second passage today from 1 Kings you thought of Israel's king Solomon. What does it mean to be wise though?

As we've read through James so far, you might have noticed he likes to compare two things against one another: joy and trials, rich and poor, and mouths that praise and curse, to list just a few. In today's passage, we see earthly wisdom compared with heavenly wisdom.

Earthly wisdom, he says, is about thinking of yourself first and trying to make yourself look good through what you know. On the other hand, heavenly wisdom is about using what you know to look out for others first by living in peace, being considerate, and being merciful and genuine in how you speak and act.

Godly wisdom is about living for God before yourself and using what you know to do the right thing by others, instead of using it to make yourself look good.

Questions:

1. Thinking about the passage from 1 Kings 3, what sort of wisdom did Solomon ask for? Do you think it was to make himself look good or to help others?
2. Living the way God wants is very important, but your heart also has to be in the right place. Look at James 3:13; why do you think humility—not thinking of yourself—is an important part of wisdom?
3. Can you think of a time this week when you've done the right thing but did it because it made you look good? Talk to God about it, and ask for his help to think about others first.

Prayer:

Dear God, please give me wisdom like you gave Solomon so that I can think about others before myself. Help me to be considerate, to be sincere, and to not show favoritism when talking with others so that I can please You. Amen.