Above

But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. - James 3:17-18

It would be so easy to read the list of great attributes found in this passage (pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere).  And indeed they are all aspects of living we should strive for I guess.

But it might be easy to overlook the most important part of the passage.  James writes, “But the wisdom from above….”

You see, I’d like to strive for purity, peaceableness, gentleness, reasonableness, mercy and good fruits, impartiality and sincerity.  And I do.  And far too often, I fail at one, two, or all of these. At one time or another anyway. 

Here’s the point. James makes it clear at the beginning of his list that these things are “wisdom from above.”  In short, James saying these things are what are gifted, offered, from God above.  And his essay states that there are plenty of these gifts to be had. But, there is a caution, for not all gifts are good.  Just before the passage listed above, James had written, in stark contrast, this:  “But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.” (James 3:14,15)

We can strive for wisdom, but perhaps it is more important to seek the source of the gifting. And discern where our wisdom is coming from…and from whom.  Is it from above?  Or is it earthly, unspiritual, demonic?  Failings to live by the wisdom from above is likely caused by the yearning we all have for earthly wisdoms. Wisdoms that sound so good. Wisdoms that will fail us when push comes to shove.

What wisdoms have you been seeking, what wisdoms have I?  The answer needs to be directional.  From above please. Ask for the gift.