What would we wish for?

James 3:13-18

If God were to grant you one thing what would you ask for?  Some people might say an end to world hunger, sickness and disease or maybe an end to terrorism or wars.   Solomon in 1 Kings 3 was granted such an opportunity.  In verse 5 it talks of God coming to Solomon in a dream with God saying to Solomon “Ask, what shall I give you”.  Solomon’s answer comes in verse 9.  Ultimately he asked for wisdom; wisdom to be able to discern good from evil and to govern God’s people.  Because of Solomon’s unselfish request God gives him what he asks for.

In this section in James it talks about wisdom.  What is wisdom?  James helps us with this but let us look at the dictionary definition for a moment.  Wisdom is described from the Encarta dictionary as “the ability to make sensible decisions and judgments based on personal knowledge and experience”.  How does the Bible describe wisdom well let us look at a few verses from Proverbs

Proverbs 2:6New Life Version (NLV)

⁶ For the Lord gives wisdom. Much learning and understanding come from His mouth.

Proverbs 2:10New Living Translation (NLT)

¹⁰ For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will fill you with joy

Proverbs 4:5New Living Translation (NLT)

⁵ Get wisdom; develop good judgment.   Don’t forget my words or turn away from them.

Proverbs 8:11New Living Translation (NLT)

¹¹ For wisdom is far more valuable than rubies.   Nothing you desire can compare with it.

These are just a couple of examples of the benefits of wisdom taken from the Book of Proverbs but there is so much more.  Solomon learned at a young age that wisdom was of great value. 

Is wisdom something we desire?  I hope so.  When we look at the passage in James we see that wisdom can be seen in our actions.  James is comparing the wisdom of the world with the wisdom of God and there is a great difference.  We see that in the outcome of the wisdom.  With God’s wisdom we know that it is pure, peaceable, gentle and open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.  Does that describe us?  Or does the wisdom of the world describe us?  Bitter jealousy, selfish ambition, boastful, liars, earthly, unspiritual and demonic.  Wow that is quite the list.  I am sure none of us would want to be described by the latter.  However, sometimes it is good to do a spiritual self-examination to see where we are at.

In the first sentence we see a link between wisdom and understanding.  There needs to be knowledge and understanding along with wisdom.  John McArthur puts it like this. “The simple distinction is that wisdom probably relates to the application of principles whereas understanding relates to the understanding of those principles or the knowledge of those principles. One would have more impact on the mind and one might have more impact on the conduct. But basically they have to do with the same thing. You can't be wise if you don't understand and you can't really understand if you're not wise.”
Sometimes looking at the very opposite of something gives even greater meaning.  Here are two antonyms for wisdom, they are stupidity and ignorance.  None of us would want to be declared stupid or ignorant and yet that is what we are if we are seeking after earthly wisdom which in reality is no wisdom at all.  What choices are you making in your life?  For your family, your future, in your job,  personally?  May we all desire wisdom of the Godly kind and be self-aware when it is not.