In this world, everyone has wisdom. Why do I say this? Because there are two kinds of people on this earth – believers in Christ Jesus and unbelievers. The Spirit of Christ lives in each child of God (Romans 8:9). And if the Bible speaks of Christ being the embodiment of all wisdom and knowledge (Colossians 2:3, 1 Corinthians 1:24), then it means all Christians have the wisdom of God in them (and vice versa for unbelievers). That’s wonderful. Right? But just because Christ loves in a person doesn’t mean he’s manifesting the ways of God in all his life endeavours. Today, I want you to learn about seven characteristics of divine wisdom. I believe that knowing the features of God’s wisdom helps you evaluate your life so as to note and work on every area of your life that is not manifesting Christ.
These seven characteristics of divine wisdom are enlisted in James 3:17. Before I speak about each of them, let’s read the scripture.
“But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.”
James 3:17 (NKJV)
1. Pure
The word “pure,” used in the above verse, has two meanings. One means “affirmation,” and the other means “sacred or venerable.” God’s wisdom affirms what is truth without any iota of doubt or error. I don’t know who you’ve listened to that said there are errors in the Bible. But as for me, once it’s God-breathed (2 Timothy 3:16), it’s errorless. Why? Because God is flawless. If you have any area of your life flawed, go back and study the Word and practise it. You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.
2. Peaceable
Peaceable, as used in James 3:17, relates to peace. Where God’s wisdom is, strife is absent, quarrels are non-existent, and struggles aren’t a subject for discussion.
Do you know that one thief of people’s peace of mind is struggling over things not done, as well as unmet needs? So where God’s wisdom reigns, everything works in proper order without struggle. That dimension of divine wisdom is much needed in ministries and organisations. As leaders, we must be concerned about building structures to serve our calling in the Lord. So that just as God continues to do His work in and amongst us, there’ll be a smooth progression of the vision.
3. Gentle
I love the word “gentle.” It depicts the simplicity of the gospel of Jesus Christ. When a person is walking in God’s wisdom, one easy way of noticing it is his gentility. So no matter how wise he is, God’s humility makes him live a very simple life that ordinary people will find hard to figure out who he is within.
God hasn’t called us to be gentle to the devil and his cohorts, but to be everything to people with the sole intention of saving some (Luke 10:19, 1 Corinthians 9:22). Carry the gospel in modesty, making sure that everything you do is unto God’s glory.
4. Willing to yield
The phrase “willing to yield” in that scripture means easy to obey. When God’s wisdom is operative in your life, you’ll be submissive to instructions from authority. That is why one of the most law-abiding citizens of any country are mature Christians. Such people, myself included, understand the role of civil authorities in nation-building (Romans 13:1). Are you difficult to allow God’s Word to transform your life? It’s time to pray for this dimension of divine wisdom to start operating in your life.
God hasn’t called us to be gentle to the devil and his cohorts, but to be everything to people with the sole intention of saving some
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5. Full of mercy and good fruits
Mercy, in the context of James 3:17, means kindness towards the miserable and the afflicted. So God’s wisdom is full of mercy (compassion) for the afflicted. And because of this compassion, doing good by the anointing becomes part and parcel of a wise Christian’s life (Acts 10:38; Matthew 14:14,16).
6. Without partiality
Another essential characteristic of God’s wisdom is impartiality. Partiality is a plague in our society these days. One offer available for everyone in the workplace suddenly gets directed to one person because of favouritism. That shouldn’t be so.
God loves unity. He wants His people to be together at all times. And He knows partiality is one of the enemy’s ploys against this vision. That’s why this devil makes people offend one another, so that bitterness will become rooted in people’s hearts. Declare war against unforgiveness if you want to live peacefully and impartially in relating to people.
7. Without hypocrisy
Hypocrisy means double personality. A hypocrite has one life here and another conflicting life somewhere else.
When a person is walking in God’s wisdom, hypocrisy isn’t part of their lifestyle. Why? Because the God in him never changes (Hebrews 13:8). So he’ll get transformed to become more and more like Jesus, but never live a hypocritical life.
Probably you’re being ministered unto through this article. But I want to encourage you to use it to analyse your life and allow Christ to change every area in your life that is not revering to God. Grace be upon you.
