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The Litmus Test for Wisdom

September 20, 2012 By Seth Leave a Comment

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

Something that I have been striving for over the years is wisdom.  I want to be a wise person, and I want to make wise decisions.  Why?  Because I know that, if I make wise choices, my life will go so much smoother than if I make foolish ones.  Sometimes it’s hard to know exactly what the wise decision is, so it’s helpful that James provides a litmus test of sorts to help us figure it out.  Here are a few things that characterize wisdom:

  • It’s pure.  Wisdom will never have an impure motive, nor will it ever encourage you to morally impure actions.  
  • It’s peaceable.  Wisdom never searches for a fight; its intent is not to cause trouble.
  • It’s gentle.  Wisdom doesn’t come in like a battering ram and force its own way.
  • It’s open to reason.  Wisdom submits to authority that is placed above it.
  • It’s full of mercy.  Wisdom doesn’t seek to prove a point; it simply forgives wrongs that have been committed and points people to the truth.
  • It’s full of good fruits.  The life lived by wisdom is blessed in many ways.
  • It’s impartial.  Wisdom doesn’t play favorites; it does what’s right for the sake of what’s right.
  • It’s sincere.  Wisdom is full of integrity; there is a purity of heart by the one who is guided by wisdom.

Take a few minutes to look through these things and do a self-assessment.  You may find areas where you have succeeded in wisdom but others where you need to refocus.  Let’s, together, seek to be wise in all that we do.

 

September 20, 2012 7:00 am Seth Leave a Comment

About Seth

Seth is a pastor, author, and speaker who lives in Batesville, Indiana. He is married to Kari, and they have two daughters, Madelyn and Noelle.

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Seth is a pastor, author, and speaker who lives in Batesville, Indiana. He is married to Kari, and they have a daughter, Madelyn.

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