how to spot a life filled with God’s wisdom

But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.

James 3:17

God gives good gifts and one of the highest of His gifts is His wisdom. The way it is described by James is appealing. He simply lists out all the things God’s wisdom is to us. And really, it is how God changes us. Can we spot them? There are eight benefits that the wisdom that comes from God brings to us:

• Wisdom is pure. It is innocent, modest, and clean. It is free from any fault.
• Wisdom is peaceable. That’s a description in short supply these days! To be peaceable is to be peace-loving. God’s wisdom brings peace. It settles conflict.
• Wisdom in gentle. This is also a term seldom seen. It means to be patient and fair.
• Wisdom is open to reason. Literally this terms means “easily obeying”. It carries the sense of being quick to settle a controversy, to listen well, to seek solutions, and to calm difficulties.
• Wisdom is full of mercy. This is the word used to describe the kindness and good will of God in saving sinners and providing the means for their forgiveness and salvation. It does not wait for sinners to be better, but provides the means for them to find true forgiveness. When we are full of mercy, we seek the same thing in our relationships when sinned against.
• Wisdom is full of good fruits. The wisdom of God WILL be seen in our actions. It will bear positive, visible results. It isn’t hidden. The life rooted in God’s wisdom will be embarrassingly laden with attractive and joyful actions and results.
• Wisdom is impartial. It is not ambiguous or uncertain. It does not play favorites. Wisdom is fair in assessments of actions and relationships.
• Wisdom is sincere. God’s wisdom is not hypocritical. It never hides in a disguise, pretending to be caring, but secretly hating. God’s wisdom speaks to real life in real ways with real transforming grace.