Day 3:
Two Types of Wisdom
Devotional
Not all wisdom is created equal. In our world of endless information and opinions, it's crucial to understand that there are two distinct types of wisdom operating around us every day. James reveals that earthly wisdom is characterized by bitter envy and strife. This isn't just mild disagreement - it's a fierce desire to promote your own ideas to the exclusion of everyone else's. You can recognize this wisdom by its fruits: confusion, instability, and every evil work. It's wisdom that divides, destroys, and creates chaos. But there's another kind of wisdom - wisdom from above. This heavenly wisdom is pure, peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. Notice the stark contrast. Where earthly wisdom creates division, heavenly wisdom creates peace. The beautiful thing about godly wisdom is that it doesn't require you to compromise truth for peace. True wisdom finds a way to speak truth in love, to stand firm in righteousness while remaining gentle and merciful. It's wisdom that builds up rather than tears down. As believers, we have access to this heavenly wisdom. We don't have to operate from a place of bitter envy or strife. We can choose to respond with the wisdom that comes from above, bringing peace and righteousness wherever we go.
Bible Verse
'But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.' - James 3:17
Reflection Question
When you speak or make decisions, which type of wisdom are you drawing from - earthly wisdom that promotes your own agenda, or heavenly wisdom that seeks peace and righteousness?
Quote: But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.
Prayer
Lord, I want to operate in Your wisdom, not earthly wisdom. Help me to be pure in my motives, peaceable in my interactions, gentle in my responses, and full of mercy toward others. Let my words and actions reflect the wisdom that comes from above. Amen.