On Friday we explored the idea of wisdom. After looking at James 3:17 we found that wisdom is not just stuff you know; it’s who you’re known to be.

Today let’s try to apply James’ insight about wisdom to our own lives. Let’s look at that verse again: “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without pretense” (James 3:17 CSB).

Let me explain some of the words more fully.

The word “pure” refers to holiness, or to something without moral defect.

The word translated as “peace-loving” refers to more than just physical peace. It is being at peace in your conscience because you are sincerely seeking God’s will in your life.

Gentleness refers to a welcoming and humble manner.

Someone who is “compliant” is simply someone who doesn’t always have to be right; they can yield to someone else’s ideas or be accommodating when necessary.

To be “full of mercy and good fruits” is to be compassionate towards others as an expression of your faith in God.

Someone who is “unwavering” (in this context) is someone who is fair and impartial. 

And to be “without pretense” means that you are sincere in your dealings with others.

Having offered these words of explanation, I simply invite you to ask yourself this question: “How can I embody one of those traits more fully this week (a) inside my home, and (b) outside my home?”

Identify one trait of godly wisdom, and embody it more fully inside your home and outside.

“But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without pretense.”

Wisdom is not just stuff you know; it’s who you’re known to be.

By Matthew Ruttan