Humility that comes from wisdom ...

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If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom. ... the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness. -James 3:13,17-18 NLT

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I believe that these two words, humility and wisdom, are inextricably linked. Firstly they are both qualities of the heart - you cannot have one without the other. One must have wisdom to be humble and many err by thinking that they can be wise apart from humility. In my life both of these have come with much difficulty because I did not understand the nature of wisdom or humility. Sadly I confused wisdom with intellect and humility with a gentle demeanor.

I love how James describes wisdom. He does not say that it is about your IQ but about your ability to yield to others and find common ground. Perhaps this is why the Lord Jesus called peacemakers blessed. It takes humility and wisdom to find peace - achieving it often means that one has to compromise. To make peace in small and great ways one must be full of the kind of mercy that results in good deeds. And such peace will one day reap a harvest of righteousness.

Dear Lord, we are proud. Help us to humble ourselves. We are foolish. Help us to be wise. Teach us the ways of peace.

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