James 3:17 "But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, ..."

Pure in the sense that selfish self-seeking and self-ambition are not to be found in it. Pure receptiveness because the heart's desire is to please God, and walk in His ways, pure of idols and falsehood, therefore able to stand in the holy place of God the giver of wisdom.

Psalm 24:3,4 "Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD? Or who may stand in His holy place? 4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart, Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, Nor sworn deceitfully."

Pure or free from worldly deceit that stops vision of God and hearing the voice of wisdom.

Matthew 5:8 "Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God."

Wisdom's purity flows out of a heart single minded in devoted commitment to the Lord. Wisdom that is pure comes to those who have purified themselves by obedience to the truth of God's Word.

1 Peter 1:22 "Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart,"

When obeying the Lord's command to love one another, the love of the Holy Spirit is released in its cleansing, freeing power from selfish envy and ambitions, so that we love the family of God passionately out of pure hearts that express the pure wisdom from above.

James 3:17 "But the wisdom that is from above is ... peaceable, ..."

The heart filled with bitterness, envy, striving to obtain prominence and power, is a tempestuous, strife-stressed heart. One of the values of this wisdom from above is that following its guidance is pleasant, and points to the peaceful path.

Proverbs 3:17 "Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace."

In the wisdom of God we put our lives under the government of the Prince of peace (Isaiah 9:6-7 ), so that we live in the kingdom of His peace. In the selfish pursuits of ungodly desires there is no possibility of peace. The pursuing of peace is the wise plan of God for His people.

Hebrews 12:14 "Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:"

The pursuit of peace and holiness do belong together. They are both enjoyed through our being in Christ Jesus, but both need to be pursued in practical practice in our day to day experience (1 Corinthians 6:11; 1 Thessalonians 4:3 ). It is by experiential growth in peace and holiness that our perception of God, and greater understanding of Him is increased, all by seeing the Word now. Living with others in holiness and peace makes us as those ready to meet the Lord of peace face to face.

Romans 12:18 "If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men."

God in wisdom requires harmony in our relationships. More, His wisdom in us makes us His peacemakers (Matthew 5:9 ). Because, as peacemakers we are called God's sons, we will do everything possible to restore broken harmony. Having the wisdom from above governing our actions, we will not allow ourselves to willingly become combatants in words of strife, or quarrelling, rather we shall conduct ourselves as servants of the Lord who is the Prince of peace (2 Timothy 2:14,24 ).

James 3:17 "But the wisdom that is from above is ... gentle, ..."

The wisdom that is gentle is characterised by the disposition of God. He is gentle and kind in the development of His own. This is beautifully pictured by Isaiah

Isaiah 40:11 "He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young."

He is called "the Lord God" (Isaiah 40:10 ) which is a translation of "Adonay YAHWEH." The first word is used only of God in the Old Testament, emphasising His greatness, supreme power and sovereign rule. YAHWEH is the personal name for God. It is the most significant in the Old Testament, proclaiming Him as self-existent, self-sufficient, eternal. The Almighty among His people, is considerate and caring - the tending one. The wisdom He gives His people marks them with His own disposition (1 Corinthians 13:4-7; Philippians 4:5 ). Paul knew and practiced this Godlike quality (1 Thessalonians 2:7 ), becoming an example to all serving leaders (1 Timothy 3:3; 2 Timothy 2:24 ).

James 3:17 "But the wisdom that is from above is ... willing to yield, ..."

This wisdom virtue is the opposite of being self-opinionated and stubborn - it is a willingness to yield. This wisdom from God is revealed in the attitude of not overestimating oneself.

Romans 12:3 "For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith."

Pride is the most formidable barrier to the recognition of the gifting of others (Romans 12:3 ). Failure to soberly evaluate our own gifting can bring exaggeration of our importance, and make us unyielding to the ministry and correction of other body members . The fact that what we have is a gift and without the giver we are nothing, should sober us. That we have each been given a measure of faith should not only help us to put a right value on our apportioned ability, it should make us appreciative of each and everyone who has also been given a measure, and God's wisdom will make us yielding to complementary ministry. His wisdom in us will cause us to honour with delight the ministry of fellow members who build up the body of Christ.

Romans 12:10 "Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;"

The wisdom of yielding is an expression of family love that willingly gives place to the other (Philippians 2:3 ) preferring that the other be honoured than ourselves. Being willing to yield dispels discord in the fellowship of the Lord's people. It is the sweet reward that comes from heeding Romans 12:16,

Romans 12:16 "Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion."

To be sure that the wisdom of yielding operates, and not carnally, we must yield to Paul's warning. No believer need be without this wisdom that yields. It can be obtained from our generous God (James 1:15 )

James 3:17 "But the wisdom that is from above is ... full of mercy and good fruits, ..."

This wisdom is very practical through active compassion expressed in good works. In Dorcas we have an example of its outworking.

Acts 9:36 "At Joppa there was a certain disciple named Tabitha, which is translated Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and charitable deeds which she did."

Dorcas, by her kindness made a great impact on the local fellowship of believers and the community of Joppa (Acts 9:36 ). The demonstrations of practical love glorified her heavenly Father. In like wisdom we can shine:

Matthew 5:16 "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."

James 3:17 "But the wisdom that is from above is ... without partiality ..."

The idea contained in the word 'diakritos' is, no partial distinctions, free from partial regards, impartial. The wisdom that God gives is clearly discernable in the doing of God's Word wholly and without partiality. For the wise there can be no compromise with the instructions and directions spoken by the Lord. Through Malachi God had to charge the Levitical priests of their wrongdoing and serious failure, which climaxed in their showing partiality in matters of the law, both in their teaching and practice.

Malachi 2:9 "Therefore I also have made you contemptible and base Before all the people, Because you have not kept My ways But have shown partiality in the law."

God made it clear that He would not tolerate their sinful conduct. He would make them contemptible and base in the eyes of the people they should have faithfully instructed in the ways and commandments of the Lord. The worldly chose to compromise, vacillate, and sow distrust about everything sacred. His people in Godly wisdom chose God's way and God's Word. In wisdom, leaders are, like Timothy, to perform their functions and faithfully teach and apply the Word, showing no partiality, nor doing anything out of favouritism, neither must they allow personal prejudices to get in the way of doing what is right.

1 Timothy 5:21 "I charge you before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the elect angels that you observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing with partiality."

James 3:17 "But the wisdom that is from above is ... without hypocrisy."

Worldly wisdom is characterised with pretence, deceit and hypocrisy. Sincerity marks godly wisdom. Paul could claim that he lives before the Church and the world a life without duplicity or deceit. Rather he lived in the wisdom of God.

2 Corinthians 1:12 "For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward."

Paul's own conscience witnessed to this. The testimony of those who had knowledge of him affirmed it.

	He did not conduct his life in fleshly wisdom.
	His life conduct was governed by the grace of God.
	His life was characterised by God-given wisdom.
	He lived this wise conduct in openness before all.

May those who scrutinise our conduct, find that it is not in keeping with their human wisdom, rather, that our conduct clearly represents the wisdom that is from above - that our lives are under the government of grace. Wisdom from God requires teaching the Word in its purity, never adulterating the Word of God for personal gain (2 Corinthians 2:17; Titus 2:7 ). True wisdom can test and apply things that are excellent for our lives.

Philippians 1:10 "that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ,"

The word "sincere" 'eilikrines' contains the idea of, to be free from spot or blemish to such a degree as to bear examination in the full splendour of the sun. The insight of God-given wisdom will set for us specified standards that ensure our overflowing love to be real (not hypocritical) - love that is practical, knowledgeable and discerning (Philippians 1:9; 1 John 3:18 ).

James 3:18 "And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace."