Who among you is wise and intelligent? That’s the question James opens with in James 3:13. Not, “Who has the most experience?” or “Who’s the smartest in the room?” but who shows wisdom by their good conduct, gentleness, and humility?

According to the world, wisdom is about using knowledge and experience to make good decisions and influence others. But James reveals something far deeper—a divine or Godly kind of wisdom that comes from above. It’s wisdom that doesn’t just get the job done, it transforms situations and lives. It doesn’t just impress people, it blesses people.

This kind of wisdom sets the truth of God’s word as the foundation for how we should think about or respond to any situation. It should be the lens through which we interpret every moment, every decision, and every relationship. James 3:17 describes this heavenly wisdom as pure, peace-loving, gentle, reasonable and willing to listen, full of compassion and good fruit, unwavering, without hypocrisy. It’s the kind of wisdom thatshould shape every moment of our lives.

Wow! That’s a pretty big ask! How often do we pause before we make that decision, or stop before we say or do something, to consider whether our response is really wise according to this Godly standard.

This is not just a nice idea—it’s something God asks us to apply to our lives, something we’re meant to put into action. And when we live in a wise way—choosing peace, showing mercy and compassion, being humble and honest—it creates the conditions for peace and goodness to grow in our lives and relationships. Like planting seeds in healthy soil, Godly wisdom sets us on a path where good things can take root and flourish, even if the circumstances around us aren’t always easy. It may not remove all conflict or hardship, but it helps us respond in a way that honours God and leads to deeper peace over time.

If we want lasting fruit, if we want to see personal growth and character development, and experience peace in our lives, we need to pay attention to God’s instructions. His Word gives us what we need to thrive in every season of life. When we apply His truth, we create the conditions for blessing.

We see this clearly in Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. In Matthew 5, the Beatitudes echo James' themes: Blessed are the humble… blessed are the merciful… blessed are the pure in heart… blessed are the peacemakers.There’s a link between God’s blessing and godly wisdom. If we want God’s favour in our relationships, decisions, work, and inner life, we need to live by the wisdom found in His word, the Bible—not in our own knowledge and experiences, or in the shifting opinions of culture.

So, I want to take some time today to explore 3 aspects of Godly wisdom that James describes in chapter 3:

1. Godly wisdom is pure – it starts with the heart

What motivates us matters more than we think. In 1 Kings 3, Solomon had the chance to ask God for anything—riches, long life, victory—but instead, he asked for wisdom to lead God’s people well.

His request was pure, not seeking personal gain but demonstrating his heart to serve others. And God responded with abundance—not only did Solomon receive wisdom, but he was shown honour and respect among his own people as well as the leaders of other nations, and he experienced peace throughout his reign.

If we compare this with Judas, he was one of Jesus’ followers - he listened to His teaching and witnessed His miracles. Yet for a few silver coins, he handed Jesus over to the religious leaders. His motives were poisoned by self-interest, selfish ambition and perhaps fear. What began as a profitable scheme ended in betrayal, regret and destruction. Judas is a tragic reminder that even close proximity to Jesus doesn’t automatically purify the heart. His actions weren’t rooted in love or obedience, but in corrupted motives.

This is why scripture urges us to look beyond appearances – because true wisdom begins in the hidden places of the heart: in our thoughts, attitudes, and motives. If the heart is like a spring, then the condition of the source affects everything that flows from it. When tainted by pride, fear, or selfish ambition, even good actions can become distorted. A desire to serve may mask a need for approval. A longing for peace may stem more from fear of conflict than from faith. These kinds of motives—driven by self-promotion, envy, or people-pleasing—might bring short-term results, but they often lead to strained relationships and inner unrest. As James writes, “Wherever jealousy and selfishness are uncovered, you will also find many troubles and every kind of meanness.” James 3:16 TPT

But when the source is clean – when our hearts are rooted in love for God and others - everything downstream flourishes. Jesus summarized the entire law with two commands: love God and love your neighbour (Matthew 22:37–39). This kind of love produces pure motives that lead to peace, integrity, humility, and obedience – not out of personal gain, but from a genuine desire to glorify God. It transforms how we lead, softens our approach to conflict, and deepens our commitment to peace. From this place of selfless love, godly wisdom grows and bears lasting fruit.

The challenge, then, is to constantly examine our motives in light of God’s Word, inviting Him to purify the hidden places of our hearts—because only pure motives can lead to lasting peace.

It's not just what we do—it’s why we do it that shapes the outcome.

2. Godly wisdom speaks and acts in ways that are peace-loving

The second aspect that James highlights is that Godly wisdom is ‘peace-loving’. That doesn’t mean avoiding conflict – it means choosing how we speak and relate to others in order to pursue peace.

When we think of words like ‘Gentleness’, ‘Compassion’, ‘Patience’ and ‘Humility’, they’re often dismissed as signs of weakness or being passive, but in God’s kingdom, these traits are weapons of wisdom.

In the Circuit Breaker course, which is going to be running again in Term 3, we talk about 4 different approaches to communication:

- The Peace-Keeper is someone who avoids conflict to keep the peace. If the peace keeping is motivated by fear, we may find ourselveswithholding the truth or being dishonest, even if we think our intention is to show grace or love towards the other person.

- On the other hand, a Peace Breaker isn’t afraid to say what they perceive to be the truth, without regard for the other person’s feelings. They prioritise honesty over love.

- There is also the person who avoids the conversation altogether andwithholds both love and truth by staying silent.

- But the best outcome is to be a Peace-Maker, and this is where Godly wisdom comes into play. A peacemaker is able to speak truth with gentleness, love, and humility, being reasonable and willing to listen, full of compassion, and without hypocrisy. The peacemaker uses Godly wisdom to communicate effectively.

In 1 Samuel 25, David is on his way to destroy Nabal’s entire household after Nabal insulted him and refused to show gratitude or hospitality for the protection David and his men had provided. But Nabal’s wife, Abigail, responds not with pride or power, but with humility. She goes out to meet David, bringing food and carefully chosen words to defuse the crisis. Her peace-loving, gentle wisdom stops a massacre before it starts.

On the other hand, we can look at Rehoboam in 1 Kings 12. He was offered wise counsel to ease his people’s burdens, but instead he doubles down with harshness just to prove that he’s in charge. And what was the result? He ended up with a divided kingdom and a legacy of failure.

When we compare these 2 stories, we can see that Godly wisdom doesn’t shout to be heard or dominate to be respected. It pays attention, draws near, and responds with peace. And the surprise is that gentleness, humility and compassion aren’t weaknesses—they demonstrate strength under control. Peacemaking isn’t passive—it’s spiritual leadership in action. Those who consistently apply Godly wisdom in what they say and do will be the ones who reveal the strength and impact of true peacemaking.

3. Godly wisdom produces good fruit – it builds something that lasts

Sometimes we try to make wise decisions just so we can avoid embarrassing ourselves or hurting others. We can have the right motives and strive for peace, but James says godly wisdom is “full of mercy and good fruit.” It isn’t just about avoiding disaster—it’s about producing good fruit; it’s about building something that lasts and gives life.

Worldly wisdom may bring quick results, but they may not have a lasting positive impact. Saul acted impulsively, disobeyed God, and relied on his own judgment. As a result, he lost God's favour, his kingdom, and his legacy. Similarly, King Asa began his reign well, but in his later years, he stopped relying on God. Instead, he turned to political alliances, showing a lack of trust in God's power. His choice brought conflict, illness, and a tragic end to what could have been a lasting legacy. When we let pride or fear drive our decisions, we cut ourselves off from the very source of wisdom—and what we build will not stand the test of time.

In contrast, godly wisdom may sometimes feel like it’s slow growing but that’s often because it’s sending down deep roots. It produces good fruit because it’s cultivated with compassion, patience, and trust in God over time. Joseph’s wisdom didn’t just interpret dreams—it preserved nations and reconciled families. But that kind of wisdom wasn’t gained overnight; it was cultivated through years of trials and testing. In slavery, Joseph learned responsibility. In prison, he practiced discernment. In every setback, he chose faithfulness over bitterness. By the time he stood before Pharaoh, Joseph’s wisdom wasn’t simply the result of suffering – it was the fruit of faithfulness, forged in trial, refined by responsibility, and guided by the hand of God. It was this God-given wisdom that empowered him to forgive his brothers, manage Egypt’s crisis with compassion, and lead with humility and vision.

Daniel, too, didn’t use wisdom to win arguments but to build trust and influence. Even in exile, he remained faithful, leading with humility, prayer, and insight. He shaped empires, not through force, but through faith.

This is what James meant when he wrote that true wisdom is “full of compassion and good fruit.” When we lead with hearts tuned to God, the result won’t just be clever strategies—it will be life-giving impact. Godly wisdom builds. It restores. It blesses not just us, but everyone around us. It creates peaceful relationships, rooted in sincerity and mercy, and fosters a kind of influence that quietly draws others toward Christ.

So how do we develop this Godly wisdom? How do we live in a waythat’s pure, peace loving and produces good lasting fruit?

1. Pause and Pray Before You Act

In the pressure of decision-making or conflict, it’s easy to speak, decide or react quickly with worldly wisdom. But godly wisdom starts with seeking God's voice first. James 1:5 reminds us,

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.  

Before you send that message, respond to that crisis, or step into a tough conversation—take a moment to pause and invite God into the situation. Ask for His wisdom in knowing how to respond to a challenging circumstance or handle a tough conversation. That one prayer can redirect frustration into gentleness, change confusion into clarity, and shift self-interest into compassion.

2. Check Your Motives Regularly

Godly wisdom flows from a pure heart. Take time to examine not just what you’re doing, but why you’re doing it. Prov 16:2 says,

We are all in love with our own opinions, convinced they’re correct, but the Lord is in the midst of us, testing and probing our every motive.

Are your motives rooted in love, peace, and a desire to honour God—or are they being shaped by fear, pride, or the need to be right? Ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart and purify your intentions. And as Proverbs 16:3 encourages,

Before you do anything, put your trust totally in God and not in yourself. Then every plan you make will succeed.

When our motives are clean, our actions become life-giving.

3. Practice Peacemaking, Not Just Peacekeeping

Being a person of wisdom doesn’t mean avoiding hard conversations—it means approaching them with gentleness, humility, and a desire for restoration. Romans 12:18 says,

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

Whether it’s at home, work, or church, ask yourself: Am I being a peace-maker or just avoiding conflict? Speak the truth in love. Be willing to listen. Let your strength be expressed through compassion. That’s how trust grows, and lasting fruit is produced. 

Peacekeeping might help avoid conflict in the short term; but if we aim to be a peacemaker instead, we will see the lasting fruit of transformedrelationships and circumstances. Godly wisdom helps us to speak truth with gentleness, to listen with humility, and to lead with compassion. Whether in our homes, workplaces, or communities, choose to be a peacemaker.

4. Plant Yourself in God’s Word

If you want to grow in godly wisdom, start by planting yourself in God’s Word daily. Psalm 1 paints the picture of a flourishing life—like a tree planted by streams of water—rooted in Scripture and bearing fruit in every season. But it also warns us: who we walk with, stand with, and sit with shapes our thinking. Wisdom is formed by proximity—so take stock of your influences. Are you surrounding yourself with people who live by His truth? Are you spending time in God’s word? The Bible isn’t just ancient stories—it’s a living guide filled with real examples of wise and unwise choices. Let God’s Word be your source of wisdom. Open it regularly. Meditate on it. Let it challenge your decisions, purify your motives, and influence your relationships. Wisdom isn’t something you stumble into—it’s cultivated through intentional time with God. When you plant yourself in His Word, you can expect to grow in peace, bear lasting fruit, and walk in His blessing.

As I draw this message to a close, let’s come back to James’ original question: Who among you is wise and understanding? It’s not a rhetorical question—it’s a call for self-examination. Godly wisdom isn’t measured by titles, experience, or how many Bible verses we can quote. It’s seen in our conduct—how we love, how we lead, how we respond, and how we serve.

Today we’ve seen that God’s wisdom is pure, peace-loving, gentle, full of mercy, and fruitful. It’s not about looking impressive; it’s about living surrendered. We’ve looked at how pure motives lead to peace, how gentleness has power, how wisdom builds what lasts, and how being rooted in God’s Word is the foundation for it all.

So, what’s one area where God is asking you to apply His wisdom today? Maybe it’s in how you speak to someone close to you. Maybe it’s in a decision you need to make, a conflict that needs resolving, or a pattern that needs to change. Wisdom doesn’t just come from hearing the Word—it comes from doing it. Let’s not just admire wisdom from a distance—let’s walk in it, ask for it, apply it, and grow in it. Because when we walk in God’s wisdom, we walk in His blessing.

Salvation

If you’re ready to take that step, it’s as simple as a prayer from a sincere heart. I’m going to ask everyone to close their eyes and you can repeat these words after me:

Jesus, I need You.

I believe You died for me and rose again.

Please forgive me, make me new, and fill me with Your Spirit.

I choose to follow You and walk in Your ways.

In Jesus’ name, amen.