by Tim Hall

Before us are two individuals. Both are studious people, spending much time reading the Bible and other books. Both have attained advanced degrees in their studies, attested by diplomas gracing the walls of their offices.

But which of the two is wise? What does God think?

James raised this question in his letter to Christians: "Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom" (Jas 3:13, NKJV). It's a rhetorical question, designed to make the reader think. A similar question is found earlier in his letter (2:14) when he asks whether inactive faith can save a person. In other words, is it really faith if it's not the kind of faith God commands? And regarding wisdom: Is it really wisdom if it doesn't behave in the way God desires?

Paul had sounded a warning about so-called wisdom in 1 Corinthians 8:1: "Knowledge puffs up." It's a graphic image, bringing to mind a person who puffs out his chest with an air of arrogance. "I'm a learned man," this person might boast. "I have more understanding that the common person." It leads to disdain toward others, and an expectation to be treated like a celebrity. How common such puffed-up people have been throughout time! But are they really wise according to God?

James, in our text above, made it clear that wisdom, if it comes from God, will be demonstrated by "good conduct ... in the meekness of wisdom". One of the marks of wisdom is that it is meek. James had earlier pointed to the value of meekness in 1:19-21: "Therefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls."

The puffed-up individual does not receive instruction; they already know it all anyway (they think). Try to teach them something from God's word and you'll be interrupted or will receive an angry glare. "Do you think you can teach me anything?" they are thinking. The meek, however, know that there is a continual need for instruction. They are glad to receive the word, knowing it will lead to the salvation of their souls. Because they are meek, they are slow to speak and thus they are most apt to learn.

James himself seems to be a good model of meekness. There are strong reasons to believe he was the half-brother of Jesus. He had the credentials to make himself a celebrity. Instead of being puffed up by his good fortune, though, he introduced himself simply as "a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ" (Jas. 1:1).

If we need more motivation to work toward becoming meek, let's remember that Jesus described Himself as "meek and lowly in heart" (Matt. 11:29, KJV), a trait of the Lord mentioned by Paul in 2 Corinthians 10:1. Was anyone more learned than Jesus? Yet look at what wisdom led Him to be.

Let no one condemn the pursuit of knowledge; it is encouraged often in God's word. But those who become puffed up by their advanced levels of learning show by their actions that they don't yet understand godly wisdom.