Wisdom

 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy (James 3:16-17).

“Those who live in malice, envy, and contention, live in confusion; and are liable to be provoked and hurried to any evil work” (Matthew Henry).

It is easy to confuse cleverness and intelligence with wisdom. Wisdom is not measured by what you know, but by what you do with what you know. “ . . . Knowledge makes [one] arrogant, but love edifies” (1 Corinthians 8:1b).

Knowledge is a good thing. We are encouraged to add it to our faith (2 Peter 1:5). However, at the end of Peter’s chain is love. Love is the ultimate goal. Love of God and love for others, notice.

Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love (2 Peter 1:5-7).

If we love God and one another, jealousy and selfish ambition are squeezed out of our hearts. However, if we leave these fleshly desires unchecked, we set ourselves up for failure. Chaos and temptations will abound. As God told Cain, "If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it" (Genesis 4:7) [Emphasis Added].

For the waywardness of the naive will kill them, And the complacency of fools will destroy them. "But he who listens to me shall live securely and will be at ease from the dread of evil (Proverbs 1:32-33).

Heavenly Father, teach us your statues. Give us the grace we need to walk humbly with you. Grant unto us knowledge, but that which leads to wisdom. Amen.