The Attributes of God
Wisdom
Pastor Jerry Koller

Dictionary Definition: Wisdom is the ability to apply knowledge, experience, and understanding through common sense and insight.

Biblical Perspective: God’s wisdom means whatever goals God sets, He always chooses the best goals as well as the best means to achieve those goals.
· He will always devise perfect ends as well as the means to achieve those ends

Never mistake knowledge for wisdom. One helps you make a living and the other helps you make a life.

Wisdom according to the book of James:
· Verse 13 begins with a question:

James is addressing wisdom as far as human beings are concerned and how we reflect wisdom as image-bearers. He points out how there is wisdom from above and wisdom from below.

1. Pure
· The word pure means to be “free from contamination or defilement.”
· It comes from the same root word from which we get our translation “holy

2. Peace-loving
· Peace-loving simply means being inclined or disposed to peace.
· The NASB calls this characteristic peaceable. Pure wisdom is peaceable.
· “Blessed are the peacemakers…”
· There are only two places in the New Testament where this Greek word is used—here, and in Hebrews 12:11

3. Considerate
· The NASB calls it Gentle.
· The idea behind this Greek word is that of courtesy and consideration, or to be fair and forbearing (being patient and self-controlled when facing adversity).
· This word also carries with it the idea of being moderate without compromise, gentleness without weakness.

4. Submissive
· The meaning of this word has to do with being teachable and compliant.
· There is a willingness to yield without anger and dispute.

5. Full of Mercy
· Mercy includes forgiveness for those who wrong you, compassion for the suffering and assistance for the needy.
· It includes extending kindness and love to others unconditionally.

6. Full of Good Fruits
· This refers to every sort of good work or deed that is an outpouring of genuine faith.
· Notice the word full. It not only applies to mercy, but it also applies to good fruits.

7. Impartial
· This word, apart from a Biblical context, was used to indicate an impartial, fair, and equal treatment of others without any favoritism which is something James addressed in 2:1-13.
· It literally means to be undivided, not to be parted, without uncertainty or indecision.
· This is why the NASB uses the word unwavering.
· When one is unwavering, there is no room for doubtfulness or inconsistency.

8. Sincere
· Another translation calls it Without Hypocrisy.
· It is not two-faced.
· There are no double standards.
· It does not pretend to be something it is not.

Why should we develop wisdom from above?
· We should develop wisdom from above so that we may align our lives—as children of God—with His goals, with whatever he chooses to do; whatever He plans.
· We should develop wisdom from above so that we may align our methods of achieving His goals to His because His ways are perfect and best.

Trust God. Trust His promises.

· Bruce Ferguson had his medications adjusted and will follow up with his cardiologist for further treatment.
· Lennon McKamey (son of Kyle & Sarah McKamey) is consulting with a neurologist due to issues with blacking out and falling. Pray that a cause can be identified so proper treatment can be given. He is currently on anti-seizure medication and has additional testing scheduled for later this month.
· Steve & Lisa Follman and their family upon the loss of Lisa’s mother, Martha Dubuisson on 2/23.
· Patrick & Carol Shenberger (Tracy Marshall's dad and stepmom) as Carol's 18 year-old grandson committed suicide on 2/27.
· Rhonda Dobberstein praise God that the margins from cancer surgery are clear; will begin radiation.
· Ginny Dorsey (Rhonda Dobberstein's mom) has returned home and is receiving therapy. She is still in a lot of pain.
· Vincent Bryant (son of Miriam Bryant) is dealing with several health issues. He has been dealing with blood clots which have been interfering with his dialysis treatments. He continues to recover from a second surgery on his left hand after an infection which resulted in one finger being amputated. He is also having issues with an ankle that prevents him from driving. As a result, Miriam is transporting him to dialysis three days a week.
· Miriam Bryant has begun therapy for hip issues.
· Pete Danapilis is recovering from cataract surgery.
· Nolan Marshall · was approved to receive services for another year. Praise God for answered prayers!
· Anna Bocock’s Lyme tests came back that she has Epstein Barr in addition to one strain of Lyme. They are not able to treat the Lyme until the Epstein Barr is under control. She is currently very sick and is not responding to the treatments for the Epstein Barr. Pray that the treatments start working and she is able to get that under control so that she can move forward with the Lyme treatment within the next few months.
· Caroline Bocock is doing much better! She passed her concussion test after a year of failing and has been approved to do anything she wishes. She will have more Lyme testing later this month, but the symptoms have almost completely disappeared since her treatment in July. Pray for continued improvements and for clear test results so she doesn’t have to do anymore treatments.
· Joyce Bocock continues to do well. Prayers for continued improvement and relief from pain are appreciated.
· Check out our monthly prayer card on-line at southhavenfbc.com under “Weekly Bulletins” for a list of those with on-going needs.

First Baptist Church
1635 76th Street
South Haven, MI 49090
269-637-1291
southhavenfbc@gmail.com