DCLM Daily Manna 24 September 2026: What Wisdom Means
KEY VERSE: “This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish” (James 3:15).
TEXT: James 3:14–18
But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.
15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.
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Someone once sought to characterise the essence of true wisdom and came to the profound conclusion that there are people who are wiser than they seem, and there are those that seem wiser than they are. This knowledge comes as you closely observe such people. Sometimes, this is where you see people you thought were wise acting foolishly.
The Apostle James pointed out that there are tell-tale signs of wisdom or lack of it. Sometimes, we are astounded by the depth of bitterness and envy that some people who claim to be wise harbour towards others, for whatever reason. While this may be less shocking in the normal course of things in the world, among believers, it is forbidden. The Apostle admonished those who go about life with strife in the heart not to be proud of it but to be sincere and tell themselves the truth that they have missed their way. He said that such characteristics are not gifts from heaven but originate from the world. They are sensual and devilish. They can only promote confusion, whereas the wisdom from God is pure, peaceful, gentle, not making one incorrigible, but merciful, impartial and not hypocritical. He described this as the fruit of righteousness that flows naturally from those who have made peace with God and are now peacemakers themselves.
Our character is the clearest measure of whether we are wise or not. It shows through our actions whether we are bearing good or bad fruits. We should wisely promote peace and avoid any form of disorder or confusion. We should not envy anyone for achieving success in life, nor harbour bitterness or seek revenge for any wrong done to us.
Our ambitions, desires and actions must be wholly in tune with the will of God and not driven by the counsel of men to blow our trumpet. This is the wisdom that God gives, and getting it delivers us from all forms of lusts, carnality and greed. If you lack this wisdom, you can ask the Lord, and He will give it to you.
Thought for the day: Wisdom is not the ability to outwit others but the capacity to stay the course with God.
The Bible in One Year: Hebrews 5–9.
DCLM Daily Manna 24 September 2026
