Daily Devotions
James
"Who is wise and understanding among you?"
Text: James 3:13
ASSUMPTION OF WISDOM
Many assume that they possess wisdom. It is often assumed that wisdom and understanding are to be found naturally among: –
1. The older people
2. The wealthy people
3. The clever people
TRUE WISDOM
James discussed the issue of true wisdom in the following text.
“Who is wise and understanding among you?
Let him show by good conduct that his works are done
in the meekness of wisdom.”
James 3:13
1. “Who is wise and understanding among you?”
a) Wisdom and understanding are closely associated.
b) As in the case of “faith”, James sought to define what these virtues are.
2. Three features were highlighted
a) “Good conduct”
i) Wisdom is not a matter of having a vast amount of knowledge.
ii) The person who is truly wise and understanding will have “good conduct”.
b) “Works”
i) Faith naturally expresses itself in good works.
ii) Wisdom would also naturally express itself in good works too.
c) “Meekness”
i) This is a reference to “character”.
ii) The wise and understanding person is gentle and gracious (true meekness).
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF BEARING FRUITS
The Lord Jesus Himself taught this important truth. James must have been familiar with what the Lord Jesus taught.
“Even so, every good tree bears good fruit,
but a bad tree bears bad fruit.
A good tree cannot bear bad fruit,
nor can a bad tree bear good fruit…
Therefore by their fruits you will know them.”
Matthew 7:17-18, 20