TODAY'S INSPIRE. The Wisdom That Walks.

James 3:13

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 is a pivotal verse that transitions from the powerful and dangerous nature of the tongue to the practical manifestation of true wisdom. The verse reads: "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."

I want you to look at a single verse today that holds a powerful challenge for each of us. James 3:13.

​It comes at a critical point in this letter. James has just spent the first part of the chapter talking about the tongue. He calls it a small rudder that steers a great ship, a small spark that can ignite a forest fire. It's an untamable evil, he says, a restless force full of deadly poison. It’s the kind of talk that blesses God one moment and curses people made in his image the next.

​And then, right in the middle of this discourse on the tongue, he throws out a question in verse 13: "Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you?"

​It's a simple question, but it’s loaded. It's the kind of question that makes you straighten up in your seat and think, "Well, I am! I know the Bible! I’ve been to seminary! I have a handle on this!"

​But James isn't done. He's not asking for a show of hands. He's not looking for a theological resume. He's looking for something much more profound. He gives us the answer to his own question. He says, “let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom."

​James gives us three marks of true, godly wisdom. And let me tell you, it's not the wisdom of this world. The wisdom of this world is about accumulating knowledge, winning arguments, and asserting control. It's the kind of wisdom that has to announce itself with a megaphone. But that’s not what James is talking about. He's talking about the wisdom that walks, the wisdom that is evident in a person's life.

​1. The Wisdom That is Seen

​First, James says this wisdom must be seen. "Let him shew." This is not a suggestion; it's a command.  The word here means to "demonstrate" or "prove." It's the same idea as the fruit of a tree. You don't know a tree by the name on its label, but by the fruit it bears.

​If you claim to be wise, where is the evidence? Is your wisdom just a series of clever posts on social media? Is it just a collection of Bible verses you can quote? Or is it something that shows up in your actions? The wisdom James is talking about is not a secret stash of knowledge; it’s a living reality that permeates your conduct.

​2. The Wisdom That is Humble

​Second, this wisdom is accompanied by meekness. James says, "his works with meekness of wisdom." This is perhaps the most difficult part of the verse for us to grasp. The world tells us that wisdom comes with power and authority, that it puffs up the chest and puts others in their place. But the wisdom of God is characterized by humility.

​Meekness is not weakness. It's not a lack of power. It's power under control. It's the spiritual discipline of knowing the truth but speaking it with gentleness and grace. It’s the humility to listen before you speak, to serve before you lead, and to seek understanding before you offer judgment.  Meekness is the soil in which the fruit of wisdom can grow and be seen by others.

​3. The Wisdom That is Applied

​Finally, this wisdom is applied to our lives. James says, "show out of a good conversation his works." As we've learned, "conversation" here is our way of life, our daily conduct. It’s the sum of our actions and choices. This means that true wisdom isn't passive. It's active.

​So, let's ask ourselves: Is our wisdom just sitting on a shelf, or is it on display? Does it show up at home when we’re tired and impatient? Does it show up at work when a colleague gets a promotion we wanted? Does it show up online when we're tempted to tear down someone we disagree with?

​The wisdom that walks isn't just about what you know. It's about how you live. It's not a badge you wear; it's a life you lead. And it's a life characterized by humility and good works.

​Let us not just be hearers of this word, but doers. Let’s not just claim to be wise, but let us show it. Let our lives be the sermon, and let the fruit of our good works be the proof of the wisdom that God has given us. Amen