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

Yielding to God’s wisdom is spiritual strength.

We live in a culture that is impressed with and influenced by success, confidence, and experience. Scripture teaches that yielding to God’s wisdom is spiritual strength. Therefore, as Christians, we should submit all that we know to the One who knows all things. 

James was writing to his Christian brothers and sisters when he asked, “Who is wise and understanding among you?” James answered his own question by telling his church to look for the person who “by his good conduct” would “show his works in the meekness of wisdom.” Wisdom is knowing what to do with all that you know. Our good conduct, our godly conduct, will yield our good ideas to God’s perfect wisdom. 

A person who is wise and understanding has gained spiritual strength from the wisdom of God.

“For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” —2 Timothy 1:7

Every word of Scripture is God’s wisdom, but what about the questions the Bible doesn’t clearly address? It’s estimated that most human beings make about thirty-five thousand decisions each day. How could God possibly speak his wisdom into our lives for all of those choices?

The answer is found in the Spirit God gave us. God told us to “keep in step with the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25 NIV) because he knew we would need the Spirit’s influence all the time. The Holy Spirit’s thoughts and ideas flow through our minds all day. We just need to learn how to recognize his influence from all others.

When the Holy Spirit guides our lives, he does not make us afraid or timid. Instead, his thoughts come with power and the direction needed to choose his will. His thoughts are motivated by his love for us and his desire to help us control, or discipline, our own ideas so that we choose his wisdom instead. When we learn to “keep in step” with his Spirit, our own ideas are often inspired by his. Our thoughts extend beyond personal goals and his priorities begin to transform ours.

Yielding to God’s wisdom is spiritual strength. You can know a thought is from God if it gives you the power, love, and self-control you need to discern and choose the wisdom of God.