Wisdom
Shown by My Conversation
Who
is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good
conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. James 3:13
How many sins this consistent conduct
would prevent! How many souls it would turn from crooked paths into paths of
righteousness. By a well-ordered life and godly conversation God's people are
to demonstrate the power of the great truths which He has given them. . . .
A contrast is drawn between those who
think themselves to be wise and those whom God has gifted with wisdom because
they will not use their powers to hurt or destroy. A man may speak fair words,
but unless his life reveals good works, his wisdom is human. Genuine wisdom is
full of gentleness, mercy, and love. The worldly policy which men call wisdom
is by God called foolishness. Many in the church have become spiritual
bankrupts because they have been satisfied with this wisdom. They have lost the
opportunity to obtain knowledge and to use knowledge aright, because they have
not realized that the efficiency of Christ is essential to make a successful
merchant for God, one who can trade wisely on his entrusted goods. They have
failed to supply themselves with heavenly merchandise, and the value of their
stock in trade has continually decreased.
It is not enough to have knowledge. We
must have the ability to use knowledge aright. God calls upon us to show a good
conversation, free from all roughness and vanity. Speak no words of vanity, no
words of harsh command; for they will gender strife. Speak instead words that
will give light, knowledge, information, words that will restore and build up.
A man shows that he has true wisdom by using the talent of speech to produce
music in the souls of those who are trying to do their appointed work and who
are in need of encouragement.
* * * * *
When the heart is pure, rich treasures of
wisdom will flow forth.
From My Life Today - Page 116
