If You Are Wise

James 3:13 NLT
(13) If you are wise and understand God's ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom.

There are many today who speak of wisdom as if it is theirs to wield, cutting through ignorance and revealing those who are unable to use it or manipulate it as they do but is that true wisdom? The Creator of life has provided evidence so that each one may know which path is right. Jesus provided the answer in Matthew chapter seven, if we will listen and are hungry for truth. 

Matthew 7:15-17 NLT
(15) Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves.
(16) You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act. Can you pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?
(17) A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit.

Sometimes, as strange as it may seem, it is difficult to tell fruit good to consume from fruit that is rotten on the inside. There are many things done in the name of charity but if you dig a little deeper you see they are done out of selfish reasons. Certainly the Pharisees and the religious leaders in Jesus’ day gave to the poor but what was in their hearts at the time of their giving? Was it for the purpose of the eternal or the temporary? Who did this act prosper? Was compassion involved or was it a show used to manipulate those who might be watching? Jesus further explains…

Matthew 6:2 NLT
(2) When you give to someone in need, don't do as the hypocrites do—blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get.

You see true wisdom begins with a healthy fear of the awesome God we serve! So in this way when we give to the poor among us we do it because of our reverence and love of the Lord not because we want to be recognized for doing what is right.

Psalms 111:10 NLT
(10) Fear of the LORD is the foundation of true wisdom. All who obey His commandments will grow in wisdom. Praise Him forever!

As a result we grow in understanding and our eyes and ears are opened to things we did not know even existed before, it is then and only then you will be received as a wise person because that is the way the Great Architect of all time has designed it. Not only that but you must live out what has been revealed to you and there lies the battle field. Learning how to listen to the moving of God’s Holy Spirit and reading His Word so that you recognize the character of God becomes enticing and compelling, therefore the deep things of God calls to things even deeper but applying it to one’s own life keeps us in check and well-grounded with the frailty of being human and reminds us of the vast greatness of our God and Savior, yes this is the beginning of true wisdom.