We have been studying Ecclesiastes, a book from the Wisdom Writings in Scripture.
It is helpful to consider what Apostle James has to say about Godly Wisdom.
“Who is wiser and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom” (James 3:13)…verses 14 to18 elaborate what practical godly wisdom means in outworking.
Notice first of all that those who are wise and understanding would show it in their conduct and works….in meekness. Meekness accepts things the way they come at us; it does not quarrel with God when discerning aspects of His providence. Check ourselves: is it not true that we often question God regarding our circumstances in life He allows, at times to the point of being ‘angry’ with Him? Do we realise that in effect, we are actually questioning the goodness, wisdom and perfection of God in this process? Meekness acknowledges that God knows exactly what He is doing and that He makes all things work together for good for those who love Him – even if the present moments do not appear to be working well at all. A person who can accept the way God orders things is one who is meek, and this is surely a mark of godly wisdom.
Reading further down from verse 14, we see that such a wisdom is pure, peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good good fruits, impartial and sincere. To enter into such a wisdom is in fact entering into the quest for Christlikeness, for in Christ, we see all these characteristics of wisdom.
Notice the contrast also in the same verses: the worldly wisdom that is unspiritual is characterised by jealousy, envy, selfish ambition, accompanied by disorder and vile practice. This is not godly and spiritual wisdom – if such characteristics dominate our lives, then we should not boast but instead, we should repent and ask the Lord God to help us search the inner motives and inner realities of our lives.
Godly wisdom leads to a harvest of righteousness and peace – not just peace in our inner being, but peace with God and peace with others (as far as our responses are concerned, and even if others remain hostile).