Godly wisdom
Lately, certain Bible verses have become my prayers. Somehow each of these verses encapsulates so well what my heart has been trying to pray for. Thankfully, God hears even our groans. But it is a blessing to find words for the desires of our hearts. So this week I’ve been praying for godly wisdom with the words of James:
But the wisdom from above is first pure [morally and spiritually undefiled], then peace-loving [courteous, considerate], gentle, reasonable [and willing to listen], full of compassion and good fruits. It is unwavering, without [self-righteous] hypocrisy [and self-serving guile]. (James 3:17, AMP,*)
I yearn for godly wisdom: peace and purity, gentleness, and grace, full of compassion and good fruits. So I pray for it. I don’t want false wisdom or worldly gain, only real wisdom will do. And that’s why we need to turn to God to receive it. Nothing but God can give us real wisdom.
We receive godly wisdom when we surrender to God. When we are willing to yield to God, seek him in meekness, we receive godly wisdom that leads into a blessed life full of spiritual fruit.
Godly wisdom
Often we think we need to be assertive, even aggressive, to gain momentum in life. But that’s not the way of God and that’s why it will lead to false wisdom. We need to first seek God, pursue purity and holiness, and then God’s wisdom will capture us.
This verse reminds us of the importance of holiness in God’s kingdom. Often we’d like to forget this. But it does matter how we live our lives and how we treat each other. Hypocrisy or partiality does not belong to the kingdom of God. That’s why we should stay clear of them as well. How to do that?
Like everything else in the kingdom of God. First, we pray. And then we – by the grace of God – live it out by seeking God with everything we got. God has given each of us the capacity to live peacefully, considerately, lovingly. And he will empower us to do so if we just ask.
We gain godly wisdom by asking God to fill us with himself. When God’s Spirit dwells in us, we will bear spiritual fruit and we will learn to live and love like God. Without hesitation, without hypocrisy, without seeking our own gain. Not by our own power but by God’s powerful grace. So I keep praying for godly wisdom. Only God can make me or you what we ought to be. But thankfully he sure can!
Gracious God,
We surrender to you.
Make us what we ought to be.
Give us your wisdom,
Make us peace-loving, gentle, reasonable,
full of compassion and spiritual fruits.
Show us how to live and love like you
for your glory and for the joy of our neighbors.
In Jesus’ precious name,
Amen
Q4U: What do you pray for? Do you want to have godly wisdom?
Be blessed, my fellow pilgrim, as you seek God and his wisdom with everything you’ve got.
Photo by Raul Petri on Unsplash.