The fruits of wisdom

Without a doubt, one of the most valuable gifts that we can receive from God is wisdom. Wisdom that comes down from above will produce certain and distinct 'fruits of wisdom'. James says, 'The wisdom from above is first pure then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy'. James 3:17.

In the first instance, wisdom from above is pure. It is not a mixture between what we think and what God thinks. We don't display the fruit of wisdom by seeking wise counsel and then mixing that with our own view, taking what we like and disregarding what we don't. When wisdom is mixed it is earthy and sensual. It is limited and polluted by our own sensory perceptions.

The second fruit of wisdom is peace. Paul said to the Romans, 'So far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men'. Rom 12:18. We all experience times of conflict, but on the whole, if we are receiving wisdom from above, the evidence will be peace. It will be peace in our own hearts as well as peace in our relationships. In terms of our own lives, it is often wisdom in the form of correction or chastening that brings genuine peace. Paul spoke of the peaceable fruit of chastening in his letter to the Hebrews.

The third fruit of wisdom is gentleness. If we receive correction and it produces the peaceable fruit of wisdom, we are then able to correct another in gentleness. Paul said to the Galatians, 'Restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness'. Gal 6:1. Gentleness defines how we speak to another person, and being reasonable defines how we hear from another person. This is the fourth fruit, and it means 'willing to yield'. When we are absolutely convinced that we are right, we must know when to yield to the wisdom that comes down from above. The fifth fruit is the capacity to be full of mercy. We have been shown great mercy by the Lord, and we are compelled to show this same mercy to others. Wisdom recognises that 'judgement will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy'. James 2:13.

The sixth fruit of wisdom is the capacity to be 'unwavering'. In this way, James speaks of not being driven and tossed by the wind, and Paul speaks of not being carried about by every wind of doctrine. When wisdom is coming to us and we know what God is doing, nothing can shake us. Finally, the seventh and final fruit of wisdom is a life 'without hypocrisy'. A person of wisdom will be a 'doer' of the word. James says, 'Prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves'. James 1:22. Simple obedience is the beginning of wisdom. Jesus Himself said, 'Whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man'. Matt 7:24. This is why wisdom can be shown from the youngest years.

Perhaps James' most pivotal and impacting statement on wisdom is, 'If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him'. James 1:5. No matter at what age or stage of life we are, we can always pray and ask God for wisdom. We can seek wise counsel. We can bear the fruits of wisdom in every area of our lives.

David Baker

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Feature Articles
February 2009

A measure of faith

Faith for resurrection

Calling upon the Lord

Ready or not

Recognising new creation

Learning to shepherd

The word of faith

The fruits of wisdom

Following the Lamb

Once I was blind

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