In the ancient world, few virtues were more revered than wisdom. In the biblical Hebrew culture, wisdom was considered the skill to live well, or more precisely, a wise person was an expert in godly living. According to James, wisdom has little to do with IQ, SAT scores, or education. Wisdom is different from knowledge. Rather, true wisdom is the right application of knowledge. In this passage, James showed the difference between true and false wisdom with four notable traits.

I. Wisdom Is Practical (v. 13a)

II. Wisdom Is Humble (v. 13b)

III. Wisdom Is Spiritual (vv. 14-16)

IV. Wisdom Is Fruitful (vv. 17-18)

Talk with God: Ask the Lord to fill your heart with “the wisdom that is from above” so your life will be “full of mercy and good fruits” (v. 17).

Talk with others: Ask a mentor to hold you accountable in not acting through “envy and self-seeking” (v. 14).

Talk with kids: How can Stephen’s faith encourage us in our own faith?