Wisdom that Works

It has been said, “Knowledge is knowing that tomatoes are fruit, but wisdom is knowing not to put tomatoes in a fruit salad.” James challenges us to recognize that God’s wisdom in the believer is always active and must be applied practically in our lives. Because wisdom is active, it’s easy to identify. A person who acts wisely does good works with humility, walks in purity, loves peace, is always gentle and sincere, and does not show favoritism. To make his point about God’s wisdom clear, James contrasts it with worldly wisdom (or as the NLT puts it, “earthly” wisdom).  James warns that such wisdom is demonic and will lead those who are governed by it into disorder and every kind of evil.