The Gentleness of Wisdom

“Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom.”

James 3:13

The gentleness of wisdom. While very beautiful and poetic, what does it mean?

I was quite at a loss as to what my post would be composed of this evening; and so, I took up my Bible. Scanning the pages, I came across the above verse. I thought I’d look a bit deeper behind the meanings of the key words.

Gentle: Not rough, harsh or severe. Peaceable, not wild, turbulent or refractory. Soothing, pacific. Treating with mildness; not violent.

Wisdom: The right use or exercise of knowledge; the choice of laudable (praiseworthy; commendable) ends, and of the best means to accomplish them. The faculty of discerning or judging what is most just, proper, and useful. The knowledge and use of what is best, most just, most proper, most conducive to prosperity or happiness. Wisdom in the first sense (or practical wisdom) is nearly synonymous with discretion. Wisdom is the exercise of sound judgment either in avoiding evils or attempting good. The knowledge and fear of God, and sincere and uniform obedience to His commands. This is the wisdom which is from above. Webster’s Dictionary; 1828

I’ve mentioned before how wisdom comes from looking up. The following verse tells us a little more about what this wisdom is.

“[But] the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.” James 3:17

I’m not going to pretend to answer any questions; but merely to spur you on to think for yourselves what these verses mean; how can we apply them to our own lives? Are we seeking knowledge, or wisdom? Are we looking around us, or above us?