James 3:17–Wisdom From Above

James 3:17: "But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere."

Wisdom is one of those great treasures worth sharing.  Sharing wisdom, though, is done best without telling everyone that it is wisdom that you are sharing.  For if wisdom is easily seen and never needs more of an introduction; it will stand on its own.

But doesn't worldly wisdom prefer to toot its own horn, so to speak?  True wisdom, that is, wisdom from above, is pure and peaceable, gentle.  And why would it be gentle?  Because, again, true wisdom has no need for coercion to prove its value; wisdom will always demonstrate its worth on its own.

Wisdom is impartial but it is also full of mercy.  It is a guide but sincere.  There is no doubt, then, that to search for wisdom would be the first step in wisdom.  It is, though, no mere coincidence that the search for wisdom is closely aligned to the search for God, as it is God Himself through whom all wisdom comes.  We would do well to seek after God with fervor and to become wise as a side effect.