The Meekness of Wisdom
The Attitude of Holy Wisdom
There are two kinds of wisdom — holy wisdom and worldly wisdom.
Worldly wisdom is centered on the individual; exaggerates one’s sense of personal freedom; isolates the conscience from the will of God, thereby warping it; and results in selfishness rather than self-sacrificial love.
Holy wisdom is meek. Meekness is being humbly patient or quiet in nature, especially when under provocation from others. When we practice our faith, doing good works in the meekness of wisdom, we submit our will to God’s will, cultivate a well-formed conscience, and sacrifice for others out of love for them and for God.
“Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good life let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.
But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This wisdom is not such as comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, devilish. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.
But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, without uncertainty or insincerity. And the harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.”
James 3:13–18
Holy Wisdom, the Path to Prosperity
“Happy is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gets understanding, for the gain from it is better than gain from silver and its profit better than gold. She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called happy.”
Proverbs 3:13–18
Nothing is as beneficial to one’s life as holy wisdom, the beginning of which is the fear of (i.e. respect for) the Lord. (Psalm 111:10 (RSVCE)
Humanity was created to choose to love God. Therefore, we act consistent with our purpose for existing when we choose to do good works in the meekness of holy wisdom and out of love for God.
© 2021 Noel Bagwell. All Right Reserved.
