What Makes a Good Person?Sample

Wisdom and discernment

“Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom” (James 3:13).

It is not always easy to know and understand the truth and then apply it to our lives. It takes wisdom to do that. Wisdom allows us to make the right choices and set the right priorities. This is what Paul wants his fellow Christians to do when he writes, “It is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ” (Philippians 1:9-10).

The Bible distinguishes between “wisdom that is from above” and “earthly wisdom.” Wisdom is different from cleverness. It also has a moral component. James explains this by listing characteristics of wisdom that come from God. “The wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere” (James 3:17).

This wisdom is what every Christian should aspire to. But it does not come from within us. We may receive this wisdom as a gift. “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him” (James 1:5).

Are you wise according to James' definition of wisdom? How does that show?