This morning I read Proverbs 9, which personifies Wisdom and describes her as having built her house with “seven pillars.” Seven is the number of perfection and so the seven pillars describe a perfect house—but I find an interesting parallel in James.

It seems that the subject of man’s wisdom versus God’s wisdom has come up quite a bit in conversations I’ve had lately. There is a basic understanding that we, being in ministry, must do things in accordance with God’s wisdom and not our own understanding. But what exactly does God’s wisdom look like?

Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.
(James 3:13 ESV)

For starters, true wisdom isn’t just words—and it doesn’t need to prove itself. Good conduct, meekness and real works show that you have true wisdom.

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 ESV)

Man’s wisdom can be characterized by ambition and jealousy. Even in ministry, (especially in ministry!) our own wisdom and ideas can creep in. We can start envying others, being bitter when others do things we wanted to do, and focusing on how we can improve ourselves. I am definitely tempted to be upset when I see others treated better than me and I often find myself scheming to make things better than myself. This is man’s wisdom.

God’s wisdom is described using seven characteristics (see the tie-in to Proverbs 9?):

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 ESV)

God’s wisdom is:

• Pure: Untainted by the world, by selfish ambitions or by worldly values.
• Peaceable: causing peace, not breaking it. Not having any conflict.
• Gentle: Often, man’s wisdom seems to be the opposite: We try to beat down our opponents in order to get ahead.
• Open to Reason: Logic was created by God, and using our heads is not worldly: It is Christ-exalting (as long as we start from the proper framework of God’s word).
• Full of Mercy and Good fruits: Again, this is quite the opposite of the ruthless ambition that characterizes man’s wisdom.
• Impartial: Obviously, we should not judge others or have a bias towards others in our actions. James makes this clear elsewhere.
• Sincere: “Sin Cere” means, literally, “without wax” and indicates a level of authenticity that is characteristic of God’s wisdom.

If you are like me, you have come to realize that you don’t have God’s wisdom! This is easily remedied:

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.
(James 1:5 ESV)

What do you think characterizes God’s wisdom?