by Rich Carlson  

Wisdom is a commodity that is sought after by many. Knowledge is the accumulation of information, but wisdom involves the ability to apply that information in real life situations.  

According to the Bible, knowledge "puffs up" (1 Corinthians 8:1). It makes you haughty.  I used to think that wisdom could only be good, but this text shows there is good wisdom and bad wisdom.  

James 3:13-17 shows us the differences between these two types of wisdom. 

"Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.  

Such 'wisdom' does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.  

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere."  

Bad wisdom:    
1.    harbors envy.    
2.    harbors selfish ambition.    
3.    is earthly, unspiritual, and of the devil.    
4.    creates discord.    
5.    results in evil practices.   

Good wisdom:    
1.    results in a good life.    
2.    creates deeds done in humility.    
3.    is pure.    
4.    is peace-loving.    
5.    is considerate.    
6.    is submissive.    
7.    is full of mercy.    
8.    is full of good fruits.    
9.    is impartial.    
10.  is sincere.   

Besides describing the two different kinds of wisdom, the great encouragement in this text is that there are twice as many descriptors for good wisdom as there are for bad wisdom! Sometimes I can get trapped into thinking that God spends more time telling me what not to do that what I can do. But here, I find a much greater emphasis on what is right than what is wrong.   

This offered me the opportunity to check my priorities and look inside at what I am accomplishing in my journey to wisdom. I have a simple formula to decide what my priorities are. If something will last and be worthwhile, then I need to be sure that I am seeking wisdom that results in good and not bad. If something becomes "all about me" then it is worthless!  

If it’s all about Him and service to Him, then I am attaining "good wisdom." I want that kind of wisdom. How about you? 

Rich Carlson is campus chaplain at Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska. "God is Faithful" is adapted from the email devotionals he writes regularly for the Union College family. Rich enjoys filling his life with God, his family, and especially his five grandchildren.