“The wisdom from above,” James writes, “is first
of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield
to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no
favoritism and is always sincere” (James 3:17, NLT). The wisdom that God imparts
is gentle, pure, and peaceable. It yields to others and does not insist on its
own way. His wisdom is full of mercy because He is forgiving and merciful. His
wisdom brings forth a wealth of good fruit in my life. His wisdom is honest and
sincere.
In reading in
the book of Proverbs this morning I came across a proverb that really grabbed my
attention–Proverbs 10:8. I looked it up in several translations. “The wise in
heart accept commands, but a chattering fool comes to ruin” (NIV). “A wise heart
takes orders; an empty head will come unglued” (MSG). “The wise are glad to be
instructed, but babbling fools fall flat on their faces” (NLT). I certainly
don't want to be a “chattering or babbling fool” or have an “empty head” or
“come to ruin” or be “unglued” or “fall flat on my face.” But this is what I
will be and this is what I will do without God's wisdom in my life. If I chatter
incessantly with no purpose, I have no peace. If I babble to hear myself talk, I
do not yield to hear what someone else has to say. My interest is in me and not
in someone else. My words have no power to impart hope and faith to another,
because they are full of what I consider “my” wisdom instead of God's wisdom. I
chatter on unaware of my own emptiness and shallowness. My words fall flat and
so do I.
I want to be “wise in heart”! I want what I say
and how I live to make a difference in the life of someone else. To receive
God's wisdom, I must yield to His instruction, and accept it gladly. His
instruction brings out the best in my life. It results in the wealth of His
fruit living in me–love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). Unlike a chattering tongue
with no depth, His wisdom gives the ability to speak truth that makes a
difference.... that brings hope..... that instills peace.... that offers greater
faith...... that gives a new perspective.
“A word fitly spoken is like apples
of gold in settings of silver” (Proverbs 25:11, NKJV). This kind of wise word
makes a difference. One friend was speaking of an opportunity that God had
extended her, and how she believed God was opening doors. Then she suddenly
began to speak of her fear of failure. Another friend said to her, “Do you
really believe that God would set you up for failure?” Those simple words were
born in a heart that seeks God's wisdom, and they made a difference in another
person's life. Let's seek His wisdom, and receive His instruction. Let's pray
for our words to be filled with His wisdom, and never our babbling own.
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