In any venture, but especially spiritual ones, we need to be equipped by God. Our talents, skills, strength, and thinking all need to be enabled and guided by Him. In fact, our ability to think well underlies much of what we do, which is perhaps why wisdom literature is a specific portion of the Bible in both the Old and New Testaments.

But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. James 3:17-18

James gave us a description of wisdom from above – Godly wisdom. It is very different from many earthly descriptions that describe wisdom as the ability to know how to get things done, for example. James’ description is more about the character of wisdom, and note how that character includes characteristics of the Holy Spirit.

When he describes the results of this wisdom, it is less about accomplishing goals than producing righteousness and peace.

Wisdom is important for us to live successfully in the world, but the success we should be concerned with is the realization of God’s will, not our own.

Because this description applies to all of life it must apply to evangelism. For example, Stephen is described as speaking with wisdom in Acts 6:10. Thus, we should seek Godly wisdom in our own efforts to speak about Jesus.

Heavenly Father, as You give us Your Spirit to speak of Jesus, I ask to also be given Your wisdom that my words would lead people to Jesus in righteousness and peace.