Godly Wisdom is Relational
While we think of Godly wisdom as making good and solid decisions in life, there is more to it. One of the significant characteristics of Godly wisdom is relating properly to other people.
He who is devoid of wisdom despises his neighbor, But a man of understanding holds his peace. Proverbs 11:12
The above scripture tells us that a person who has Godly wisdom seeks to live at peace with others. However, those who despise others have no wisdom. Some people struggle in all spheres of life and they seem not to be able to get along with anyone. They blame others and make excuses as to why things do’t work out, but they are not willing to see their own issues. They don’t realize that every time they breakdown a relationship, they are also closing the door to the opportunity of growth, maturity, and making progress. This in turn produces frustration and feeling victimized, and they begin to despise others.
But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. James 3:17-18
We are created to be relational beings and to belong in a community. People who have Godly wisdom have learned to get along and to live at peace with others. They are not seeking their rights as the world does, but they are willing to yield and to be merciful. Godly wisdom brings humility, which turns away strife and calms down interactions. However, Godly wisdom does not make compromises in justice and in truth in order to live at peace with others.
Some believers don’t know how to balance speaking their mind with being peaceful in relationships. They are more concerned about their rights to speak up than their privilege to show the gentleness and the humility of Christ to others. They think if something offends others it’s too bad because they have to speak the “truth.” They may also defend themselves by giving the example of Jesus turning over the table at the temple.
The truth is that Jesus was the perfect and sinless man walking on earth, and He was only doing what His father directed Him to do. To the contrary, most believers have not done the hard work of looking in the mirror before pointing fingers at others. Therefore, their “truth” could only be their passionate opinion that may or may not Biblical in its message or in its delivery. If we are going to speak “truth,” it should be done in love and with the desire see the situation redeemed and the relationship reconciled.
The above scripture reminds us of the need for Godly wisdom to be coupled with being impartial and without hypocrisy. It means we use the same measuring rod for ourselves and our loved ones as we do for strangers. We should not overlook sin when it is close to home, but make a big deal of issues when it is somebody else that is committing it.
How are you doing in your relationships? Does the above passage from James describe you and your Godly wisdom? If not, what particular areas do you to develop the Godly wisdom that God desires in your life?