James 3:13—The gentleness of wisdom

Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. James 3:13

Who among you is wise and understanding?

The book of Proverbs admonishes you to cry out for discernment and to lift your voice for understanding, to seek for it as if you were searching for silver or hidden treasure (see Proverbs 2:3). The Bible is clear: This is how you acquire wisdom. It doesn’t come to you because of your wit, popularity, status, or looks. Wisdom comes when you seek for it fervently—even loudly—before God. When James asked, “Who among you is wise and understanding?” he was writing to men and women who knew how to cry out for wisdom and understanding—with an intensity bordering on desperation.

So, writes James, are you wise? Are you understanding? There’s only one way to prove it.

Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom.

You don’t prove your wisdom by your knowledge of the Bible. The devil has used his own twisted Bible knowledge to control and corrupt men for generations. Nor do you prove your understanding by all the great things you say. James 3:5 reveals that anyone’s tongue can boast of grandiose feats.

You reveal wisdom and understanding by your actions—by your good behavior and deeds done in the gentleness of wisdom.

1. Good behavior. Your behavior is how you carry yourself in general, as opposed to the specific tasks you do. You reveal whether or not you have wisdom by your general good conduct and behavior as you live life. Does your behavior and manner of life show forth wisdom and understanding?
2. Deeds. Your deeds are your works. They are the more specific tasks that you do as you live your life.
3. In the gentleness of wisdom. How are you carrying out the deeds that you do? If they are done with wisdom and understanding, then they will be done in gentleness, in meekness, and with humility. The Amplified Bible is very clear. It states that deeds conducted in wisdom and understanding will be done “with the [unobtrusive] humility [which is the proper attribute] of true wisdom.” Are your deeds done unobtrusively, with gentleness and meekness? If so, then you demonstrate wisdom and understanding.

James wrote in the first chapter of his letter, “If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is worthless” (James 1:26). And he had just written concerning Christian speech: Fig trees do not produce olives. Vines do not produce figs. Salt water doesn’t produce fresh water (see James 3:11-12). In other words, be consistent! If you bless God, let all of your words be gracious. And, if you’re going to speak well, then live well. Let your words be consistent, backed up by good behavior and deeds in the gentleness of wisdom.

James couldn’t be clearer—words count, and they must be backed up by action.

May God grant us the daily grace to show forth His wisdom and understanding by our good behavior and deeds done in the gentleness of wisdom.

Dorothy