August 18, 2025
James 3:13-18 (HCSB)
The Wisdom from Above
13 Who is wise and has understanding among you? He should show his works by good conduct with wisdom’s gentleness. 14 But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your heart, don’t brag and deny the truth. 15 Such wisdom does not come from above but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where envy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every kind of evil. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without favoritism and hypocrisy. 18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who cultivate peace.
Jonathan Finch
Have you ever noticed how the loudest people in the room are rarely the wisest? Real wisdom doesn’t need a megaphone. It shows up in how we live —steady, humble, and full of grace. James doesn’t beat around the bush in these verses. He draws a line between two kinds of wisdom: one that’s selfish, prideful, jealous and another that’s peace-loving, considerate, pure, and sincere. That kind of wisdom doesn’t stir up drama or have to prove anything. It quietly brings peace. I’ve had to learn the hard way that wisdom isn’t about having the right answers —it’s about having the right heart. Parenting is an exceptionally hard job and I’ve had to learn to ask God what I should say before I speak. It is always a humbling parenting picture to see how much God loves us and forgives us for all our mistakes! James says the proof of real wisdom is in how we carry ourselves, not just in public but in private. Are we kind when it’s inconvenient? Gentle when someone else is rough?
Do our actions reflect heaven? In a world that tells us to push to the front and talk over each other, James reminds us that the wise are often the ones who are just quietly planting peace. So today, here’s the challenge —before we react, respond, or try to prove our point, let’s ask ourselves: Is what I’m about to say or do full of mercy? Is it sincere? Does it look like Jesus? Because the kind of wisdom that comes from above is not loud or flashy. It is powerful. It changes how we treat people and it builds a life that’s truly worth following.
Prayer: Lord, give me wisdom that reflects You, not the kind that seeks to win arguments, but the kind that makes peace, shows grace, and lives with humility. Help me be a person whose actions speak louder than their words. Amen
The Wisdom from Above
13 Who is wise and has understanding among you? He should show his works by good conduct with wisdom’s gentleness. 14 But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your heart, don’t brag and deny the truth. 15 Such wisdom does not come from above but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where envy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every kind of evil. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without favoritism and hypocrisy. 18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who cultivate peace.
Jonathan Finch
Have you ever noticed how the loudest people in the room are rarely the wisest? Real wisdom doesn’t need a megaphone. It shows up in how we live —steady, humble, and full of grace. James doesn’t beat around the bush in these verses. He draws a line between two kinds of wisdom: one that’s selfish, prideful, jealous and another that’s peace-loving, considerate, pure, and sincere. That kind of wisdom doesn’t stir up drama or have to prove anything. It quietly brings peace. I’ve had to learn the hard way that wisdom isn’t about having the right answers —it’s about having the right heart. Parenting is an exceptionally hard job and I’ve had to learn to ask God what I should say before I speak. It is always a humbling parenting picture to see how much God loves us and forgives us for all our mistakes! James says the proof of real wisdom is in how we carry ourselves, not just in public but in private. Are we kind when it’s inconvenient? Gentle when someone else is rough?
Do our actions reflect heaven? In a world that tells us to push to the front and talk over each other, James reminds us that the wise are often the ones who are just quietly planting peace. So today, here’s the challenge —before we react, respond, or try to prove our point, let’s ask ourselves: Is what I’m about to say or do full of mercy? Is it sincere? Does it look like Jesus? Because the kind of wisdom that comes from above is not loud or flashy. It is powerful. It changes how we treat people and it builds a life that’s truly worth following.
Prayer: Lord, give me wisdom that reflects You, not the kind that seeks to win arguments, but the kind that makes peace, shows grace, and lives with humility. Help me be a person whose actions speak louder than their words. Amen
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