Daily Java: Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness. (James 3:13-18)
People used to say, pretty is as pretty does. And that is true now as it was then.
But that also goes with wisdom. Wise is as wise does. The writer of Proverbs said, The beginning of wisdom is: get wisdom. In other words, if you want people to think you are wise, act wise. Sooner or later, they will think so and you will become that way just because you act that way.
That sounds weird until you get to thinking it is the same things your parents told you growing up. If you want to be treated like an adult, then act like an adult. When you start acting like an adult, they would say in their best parent voices, then we will treat you like one.
Of course, it wasn’t always true. But it is still good advice.
Act wise. Think about things before you say them. Don’t say things that are foolish. Keep quiet more than not. Silence is a great fooler. The old adage said, close your mouth and people might think you a fool. Open your mouth and remove all doubt. Sometimes, silence is the wisest thing you can accomplish. Have an argument with your wife and you will find that out.
But if someone tries to pass off something as wisdom, check it out. The wisdom from God is pure. It doesn’t have the taint of the world in it. It brings peace, it considers others, it submits when submission is called for, it is merciful and accomplishes good things, it doesn’t play favorites and is real, it is sincere, from the heart. If it brings about anything but these things, it is not from God. Run away from it.
It is a sad thing to see foolishness celebrated in our world today. People who are obviously lacking in even the basic living skills exalted as role models. When we look to Hollywood for our opinions, we will not find wisdom. This is a group of people who cannot stay married, who celebrate public immorality, who stand as the opposite of godliness. They have nothing but contempt for what is holy.
Run from this.
Real wisdom is seen and not just told. Be wise. Show that wisdom in your life.
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