How to Discern God’s Wisdom

No one wants to live a life of “disorder” and vanity. How can we discern God’s wisdom? We can expect God’s wisdom to always be in harmony with three things: the principles of God’s Word, the Scriptures; the character of Christ; and the qualities mentioned in James 3:17–18—being pure, peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy, unwavering, and without hypocrisy. Let’s consider all three.

Principles of Wisdom

First, God’s wisdom will always be in harmony with the principles of His Word. God told His people Israel that if they obeyed the principles of His Word, other nations would respond by saying, “Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people” (Deuteronomy 4:6).

Yet God’s principles are often contrary to our natural inclinations. J. B. Phillips noted how our Lord’s beatitudes are quite different from the messages we often get in the world. For example, look at these contrasts:

• Happy are the pushers, for they get on in the world.
• Jesus said happy are those who realize their spiritual poverty .
• Happy are those who protect themselves from the pain of caring for others, for they will never let life hurt them.
• Jesus said happy are those who mourn.
• Happy are those who complain, for they get their way in the end.
• Jesus said happy are those who accept life and their own limitations and show gentleness to others.

The Source of Wisdom

Second, God’s wisdom will always be in harmony with the character of Christ. In Christ are “all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:3). He is not only the source of all true wisdom but He also displayed this wisdom in His earthly life. His wise life reveals how to experience peace amidst great pressure (John 14:27), joy in the midst of great hardship (John 15:11), and success in the midst of great opposition (John 17:4). He is the revelation of how to live a wise life. The apostle John says we are to imitate Christ: “The one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked” (1 John 2:6).

God’s wisdom will always be in harmony with the principles of His Word.

The Qualities of Wisdom

Third, God’s wisdom will always be in harmony with the qualities of James 3:17–18.

• Pure. Wise actions are free from the corruption of jealously and selfish ambition and in harmony with the purity of Christ (1 John 3:3).
• Peaceable. Wise actions will promote a right relationship between people but not at the expense of purity. However, even in disagreements, true wisdom hungers for peace (Romans 12:18).
• Gentle. Wise actions are considerate and respectful of the feelings of others.
• Reasonable. In our decisions we are teachable and submissive—the very opposite of being stubborn and unyielding.
• Full of mercy and good fruits. In our actions we display an attitude of compassion and deal with others in terms of what they need rather than what they deserve.
• Unwavering. Wise actions demonstrate consistency and impartiality .
• Without hypocrisy. Wise actions are sincere and genuine.

These truths should guide us into wise, Christ-honoring decisions. Trust His wisdom in both His creative design of you and the outworking of His sovereign plan in your life. If you do, you can pray with confidence for wisdom.