Wisdom From Above

Absalom demonstrated wisdom when he devised a way to steal the affection of the Israelites away from his father, King David. The governors of the Medes and Persians demonstrated wisdom when they found a way to have Daniel dishonored and condemned to death by the king. Herodias demonstrated wisdom when she had her daughter ask for the head of John the Baptizer to be brought to her---knowing that Herod would be unlikely to refuse the request because of his foolish promise to grant his step-daughter whatever she asked, up to half of his kingdom. But in each case, that wisdom was "earthly, fleshly, and demonic" based on "envy and self-seeking." In this passage, James makes it clear that TRUE HEAVENLY WISDOM is quite different than EARTHLY WISDOM. Heavenly wisdom is pure, peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy, full of good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. True wisdom can come only through a relationship with Jesus Christ, "in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." (Col. 2:3)