Are you wise? Do you understand God’s ways?

PROVE IT.

That’s not me saying that. That’s God through James saying “prove it.”

Godly wisdom produces certain things in a person’s life that are proof of their wisdom and understanding: living an honorable life and doing good works with an unobtrusive humility born of wisdom.

I’ve learned that wisdom doesn’t advertise itself. It’s not boastful, begging to be noticed. It just does what it does and keeps going. Acting a fool is not a sign of wisdom, nor is having a great day of acting well followed by a night of bad behavior.

Wisdom is on display in the life marked with restraint and decorum, in the decisions to step back from inane arguments, in the choices to put others first, in the hopes shared, the encouragement given. Those who are wise and intelligent aren’t swept away on this trend or that. They are steady on their course, focused solely on the Lord.

The wise and intelligent serve others without pride. They notice problems. They don’t just help where the help is needed, they look for solutions to prevent further problems. They care about people and their needs and strive to provide real help and answers.

So, those who are wise, prove it. If you’re living in a way contrary to one having wisdom, make the necessary changes. If you’re not serving others, using your wisdom and intelligence to provide answers and solutions, get started. Even those who are not physically able to build can help emotionally and mentally. We are all necessary. We are all wanted.

Let’s look around us today to observe those with wisdom — even if it’s us — and pray for them to live and operate as God expects so that their lives make a difference. Not just a difference in our culture, but in the Kingdom of God.

Coffee, Bible, Journal.