James 3:17 ESV
“But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason,  full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.”

In this passage, James describes the so-called-wisdom of the world. Typical human philosophy is driven by envy and selfish ambition, and the result is all the disorder and evil we see in the world. Putting ourselves ahead of all others means creating billions of contradictory goals, and making excuses for hurting other people in order to get what we want.

Godly wisdom sacrifices opportunities for “more and more” money, pleasure, and power. Instead, those who trust in God make themselves available to serve the needs of others. The result of submission to God is very different than selfish, worldly ambition. James describes godly wisdom as “pure,” which means “undivided, chaste, or pure.”

This kind of wisdom is refined and focused on exactly one thing: whatever God has called us to be. Godly wisdom is peaceable or peace-loving, putting a high value on easing conflict. His wisdom is gentle or considerate, not ready to fight, but ready to serve.

This wisdom is reasonable or submissive, ready to see things from another point of view and do it someone else’s way. True wisdom is full of mercy, impartial, not showing the favoritism. This wisdom is sincere, with no need to fake anything to get what it wants out of other people.

Prayer:
Father, I want the wisdom You give. I want to show the characteristics that James talks about. I want to be different from the world’s wisdom that is selfish and rude at times. I want to be wise and reasonable, impartial and full of mercy.