Meekness of Wisdom
In the book of James, there is a point where he is comparing earthly wisdom with godly wisdom—or how he describes it wisdom from below and wisdom from above. And in his comparison he talks about godly wisdom being characterized by meekness while early wisdom is characterized by bitter jealousy and selfish ambition.
According to James, true wisdom isn’t self-focused. Meekness, as one pastor has put it, is “power harnessed by love.”
Meekness is strength that’s been mastered by a love for God and His people. Meekness of wisdom is the strength is takes to refrain from retaliation when confronted about sin in your life. It’s the strength to fight the desire for vengeance when done wrong. It’s the strength to hold off pursuing owed recognition when overlooked by those you admire. It’s the strength to call out another saint in sin with gentleness even when you fear it could cost you the relationship. It’s the strength to ask for forgiveness. It’s the strength to forgive. Meekness moves our moral center from self to God. And so it’s this characteristic of true wisdom that directs the good conduct of the wise person.
Meekness says, it’s not about me! Bitter jealousy and selfish ambition says, it’s all about me! It’s far too easy for us to pursue a counterfeit wisdom that promises self-glorification.
Wisdom that lack meekness is a “wisdom” that tells us we are in control. It promises us power. It measures everything by fairness according to my standard.
It’s sad how jealousy can sour the soul to such a degree that it springs forth bitterness. And then, when its mixed with selfish ambition it leads to a blindness to the truth. And this is exactly what James warns will happen “For where jealousy and selfish ambition exists, there will be disorder and every vile practice.” (James 3:16) We forget who we are in Christ and that those around us are our brothers and sisters in Christ. When bitter jealousy and selfish ambition form the battleground on which we choose to stand the first causalities are humility and the truth. And when we lose those, disorder, chaos, and disunity set in and every vile practice becomes fair game—gossip, lying, malice, anger, wrath, you name it.
Saints, this is not wisdom from above. This is wisdom from below. This is worldly wisdom. It’s earthly wisdom. It’s unspiritual. And James even calls it demonic. Church, let us fight for godly wisdom that is seen in meekness. Let us fight any jealousy and selfish ambition that might be lingering in our hearts and pray that God would protect the unity we have in Christ. May we be a people of godly wisdom displayed in meekness.