Shades of Wisdom

In our last post, we looked at wisdom- what it is not, what it is and how to get wisdom. In the subsequent posts, let us look at a portrait of what wisdom truly is

I will use this verse as our point of reference on this subject

“Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. 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 ‭3:13-18‬ ‭

If you look closely into this verse, it contrasts between earthly and godly wisdom. The differences lies in the root (source) and fruits (doings). We establish the fact in our last post that God is the source and giver of wisdom so walking in godly wisdom is the highest form and kind

Follow me on this journey as we look at the features of true wisdom.

1. It is pure

Pure in this sense means clean or undefiled. In October to November 2017, there were 77 high powered personalities and celebrities involved in sex scandals and the like which shook Hollywood and the world which as a result has given birth to the #metoo campaign. As I am writing now, I don’t know the number of cases as it has been too much to keep up with. When we are pure, it affects our view point and how we think. Men won’t see females as sex objects and women on the other hand will not see men as money bags or money magnets that can be exploited and then dump aside. The first sign of true wisdom comes to test in how you see things or your thoughts. If your thoughts are impure, definitely your actions will be too. Clean also means not believing in swindling people and thinking of how to make a fast buck on them. Too many people these days have ulterior motives why they want to be your friend

2. It is peaceable

A wise man is a proponent and believer in all things peaceful. One of the biggest tests of your wisdom will show in conflicts and disagreements. Do you want to be right? Sometimes our insistence on being right can prolong some conflicts to the point that the relationship is irreparable after the dust has settled. I used to be that kind- very rigid and stubborn till I had my way and had the last word. It is not wise to live this way. Thank God, I changed! It will take peace for a marriage to make it past year one or keep certain friendships. I have come to realize as I am growing in this life, you don’t have to always be right, for the sake of peace let it be even if you become the weaker link. That is true wisdom. Before Nelson Mandela left prison he said “As I stand before the door to my freedom, I realise that if I do not leave my pain, anger and bitterness behind me, I will still be in prison”.

He had inner peace and it showed in his peaceful dealings with apartheid and how he virtually became the father of Africa and an epitome of leadership. Why? Because he believed in all things peaceful. When you have the option for peace, why war and strife? It will take inner peace for our actions to be peaceful and peaceable. Peaceful people easily forgive and don’t harbor grudges. Please settle any grudge you have this week. It will speak well of you that you are operating in a superior kind of wisdom. Being right all the time is not wisdom, rather be kind!

3. It is gentle

Gentle has to do with your disposition in life especially when you are hard pressed. Today, society’s definition of gentle pertaining to the men lies in appearance that is how you are dressed and perhaps, manners. It goes beyond that. Do you lose it when you go through pain and painful experiences? Are you easily aggravated? Today I had a moment when I almost lost it when writing this article. I use the WordPress app on either my iPhone or iPad for writing. So while on my iPad today, I opened some browsers for some fact checks and when I went back to the app, everything I had written was erased just like that! The painful thing is I was at the end signing off… I “stewed” for a bit, wanted to forget about writing and do it next week cos I had to take a shower and head off to work. In that moment, I just prayed, cooled off & rewrote. As I write, I am sitting in the parking lot of my work and I am not late either. In fact do have bags of time. What helped? Been gentle in the face of aggravation. Things that work us all up are really no big deal! Honestly, blowing up exaggerates things. The problem will not be what it seems to be. Let us take our time and have a gentle disposition which will help in the long run

Let us all walk in true wisdom by being pure. Purity starts with how you think, your viewpoint. It will shape your actions. Decide to see the “good” in most things. Let us develop inner peace. Someone will ask, “how do I develop inner peace?”. Others will suggest eastern meditation, yoga… For me, I develop inner peace by either praying or meditating on God’s promises in the Bible. Finally, let us have a gentle disposition to how we react when we are hard pressed. It is a choice. You can help how you react to situations because you are a free moral agent

Till I come your way again…

Peace & Love