“Who is wise and understanding among you?  Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.”(James 3:13 NLV)

           “Who is wise” applying it to this content wise means spiritual truth to daily life with humility.  Wisdom is knowing how to use knowledge(gathering facts and understanding information), experience (life’s lessons), understanding (how to apply knowledge), and common sense (is making healthy decisions—street smart) to make good decisions.

           You can have knowledge but make poor decisions.  You can have experience but not apply it to your life.  You can understand many things but do not use the knowledge to help yourself.  And if you do not have common sense all the knowledge and wisdom go by the wayside.  

           Things I was taught by my parents as a child to help me think before I did something dumb.  “Why don’t you go play marbles in the street.” “If someone jumps off a cliff are you going to jump off too.” “Were you born in a barn?” “Money doesn’t grow on trees.” “Don’t put that in your mouth, you don’t know where it has been.” “If you break your leg, don’t come running to me.” “Keep crying and I’ll give you something to cry about.”  These words might sound harsh to some, but if you really think about them, they taught us to think for ourselves.

           Sometimes I can hear God saying to us, “Are you kidding me.  You are going to do that!” “Do you not understand what ‘thou shall not steal means?’” “Are you really going to spend that money on gambling when you need to make the house payment?” “Why do you drink so much, you realize you are your child’s role model?”

           So, who is wise and understanding among you?  Is it you?  If so, are you showing it by your good life, deeds and with humility.  It is something to think about.  For actions always speak louder than words.  God Bless.  Amen.

denise