7 Surprising Ways We Walk in Heavenly Wisdom
What if the wisdom God wants us to walk in is unlike anything we ever thought about wisdom? And what if this heavenly wisdom helps us here on earth?
Perhaps like me, you’ve done your own search for sources of earthly wisdom at various stages of life.
Because we find it in many forms: reading, education, online classes, asking experts or family and friends, Google searches and so on.
But gaining knowledge doesn’t always equal wisely applying it to life.
So what does this mean when it comes to heavenly wisdom?
Wisdom from heaven, spiritual wisdom, is also meant to take knowledge and apply it to our life here on earth.
Look at one way the Bible describes it.
“But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.” James 3:17 (NIV)
“But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.” James 3:17 (NIV) Click To TweetLet’s discuss these 7 things mentioned for walking in heavenly wisdom.
Heavenly Wisdom: Pure, Peace-loving, Considerate
(1.) Pure. Heavenly wisdom is first pure. Pure wisdom is untainted by the world’s definitions and standards.
Also, we walk in pure wisdom by applying it to areas of purity: pure heart (Psalm 24:3-4; Psalm 51:10), sexual purity/marriage bed (Hebrews 13:4), pure in thoughts (Philippians 4:8) and a pure path through God’s Word (Psalm 119:9).
(2.) Peace-loving. Are we peace-loving, walking in wisdom that desires peace in our marriage, with our children, and in all our relationships? And are we wise by targeting peace as the end result in conflict-resolution?
Do others know me as a wise person? What about as a person of peace?
(3.) Considerate. Some might say being considerate of others is a lost and forgotten art in our modern world. So how interesting to see it as an integral part of heaven’s wisdom.
At the heart of being a considerate person is guarding against selfish ambition and not walking in pride but in humility. Even 1 Corinthians 13:4-5 describes love as considerate, not selfish or conceited. Are we considerate to friends, family, strangers and to other believers?
Heavenly Wisdom: Submissive, Mercy, Good Fruit
(4.) Submissive. To become someone who walks in heaven’s wisdom, we are submissive to God’s ways and commandments, the Holy Scriptures as truth and God’s counsel and voice.
Further, as heavenly wise children of God, we are submissive to the Holy Spirit’s leading, especially in the conviction of sin and our need to repent for forgiveness.
As heavenly wise children of God, we are submissive to the Holy Spirit’s leading, especially in the conviction of sin and our need to repent for forgiveness. Click To TweetAnd we also submit to governing authority and in a loving and mutual respect in our marriage (Ephesians 5).
(5.) Full of mercy and good fruit. Wow. What a contrast to worldly wisdom. You may know someone wise by earthly standards, yet lacking in mercy and a life of good fruit.
But we walk as wise people by giving mercy to others as we have received mercy from our heavenly Father. We don’t withhold mercy, but understand the value of a merciful heart.
Heavenly wisdom is seen in our life by the good fruit we produce: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22).
Wisdom From Heaven
(6.) Impartial. God shows no partiality (Romans 2:11). Since God created us in His image and He daily makes us into the image of Christ, God wants to mold us into impartial people.
Do we view all of our children the same, not showing favoritism to one? And are we impartial in Christian groups and circles and Bible studies? What about in our communities? As a leader, do we recognize value in everyone God calls us to lead?
(7.) Sincere. A heavenly wise person stops going through the motions and pretending everything is OK or that they are someone other than who they are in Christ.
Heavenly wisdom is sincere. A heavenly wise person stops going through the motions and pretending everything is OK or that they are someone other than who they are in Christ. Click To Tweet
So we walk as wise people when we possess sincere faith, genuine feelings and honest speech.
Practical application: Make a list of these 7 ways to walk in heavenly wisdom and ask the Holy Spirit to show you where you can become a wise person by heaven’s standards.
Which way stood out to you?
Last week’s post, Deep Spiritual Aspects God Wants to Instill in Us.
Sometimes I participate in these link-ups:
Legacy Linkup/Inspire Me Monday/Tell His Story/Recharge Wednesday/Let’s Have Coffee/Tune in Thursday/Heart Encouragement/Embracing the Unexpected (Grace & Truth) and Faith On Fire.
© 2022 by Karen Friday, All rights reserved
I love all the great wisdom you share in your post today. All 7 of the ways to walk in Heavenly wisdom spoke to me. Great words especially for this Lenten season.
Yvonne, it is fitting to discuss this time of year and all the time as we consider how to walk in heavenly wisdom throughout our days, seasons, and years here on earth.
More wise words from you. Thank you, Karen, for this encouragement! God bless!
Nancy, thank you. Wisdom from heaven, spiritual wisdom, is meant to take knowledge and apply it to our life here on earth. May this be our heart’s desire.
So so good, Karen! I love the notion of the truly, heavenly wise person comes at wisdom from a place of goodness and purity. We don’t go through the motions or pretend. We are true and we walk with the Lord. Great post!
Thanks so much, Jessica. I pray we seek those places of “goodness and purity” as we desire heavenly wisdom instead of the earthly form that so often lets us down, fizzles and fades away.
Amen! Knowing who I am in Christ is really the only measure that matters my friend. And you are so right about wisdom. Not all knowledge equates to wisdom, because wisdom is the correct application of knowledge (applying the right knowledge, in the right situation, and at the right time). Godly/Heavenly wisdom is something that comes from our application of the Fruit of the Spirit, which manifests itself in our understanding of God’s teaching and leading in our lives. Well said author! God’s blessings ma’am.
“…wisdom is the correct application of knowledge (applying the right knowledge, in the right situation, and at the right time).” Good word, J.D. What a wonderful way to view wisdom in a true and spiritual light. Thanks for sharing that. A heavenly wise person stops going through the motions and pretending everything is OK or that they are someone other than who they are in Christ.
What an excellent post that could spark the end of many family conflicts and marital disagreements! If heeded, followed, and meant from the heart, these appeals to the Lord for help could be a great tool in the lives of any and every one of us. Thank you for preparing this resource that will result in changed lives and changed actions as a result.
Appreciate your encouragement, Melinda. I hope and pray we search for God’s wisdom in our relationships and in our lives as we walk on this earth. We walk as wise people when we possess sincere faith, genuine feelings and honest speech.
Love all that you said here about heavenly wisdom, Karen. With the season of Lent upon us, it is a perfect time to ask ourselves if we are being guided by God’s wisdom or by our own? May we submit to His will and ways that we might gain a heart of wisdom.
Blessings!
That’s so true, Martha. I so want to gain a heart of wisdom from God’s heart.God bless! “But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.” James 3:17 (NIV)
When wisdom seems elusive, these practical steps remind us wisdom is closer than we think!
Yes, it is, Ava. It’s not an easy thing to walk in heaven’s wisdom but oh so necessary in the life of believers. And God’s definition is so different than anything the world offers us. So we do well to desire it, seek it, and ask God to make us wise in His ways.
I pray for God to give wisdom to everyone. The world needs God.
Great prayer, Melissa. “Father, we pray you would open our hearts to your voice and wisdom as your children. And we ask that you open the ears of those who don’t know you to find their way to the truth. In Jesus name. Amen.”
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This is a great study, Karen. Seeking wisdom is one way we seek Christ! I want to practice wisdom in my life to love others better with the love of God.
“Seeking wisdom is one way we seek Christ!” Yes, Lisa! That’s a good word. And practicing wisdom to love is a high calling.
This >> “Wisdom from heaven, spiritual wisdom, is also meant to take knowledge and apply it to our life here on earth.” So true, Karen. Not all knowledge = wisdom. It must be applied to our lives here and now. May we walk in spiritual wisdom, letting it change us so we live making right choices and honoring God.
Joanne, thanks for sharing this, “May we walk in spiritual wisdom, letting it change us so we live making right choices and honoring God.” Even as God’s people, we forget sometimes to apply helpful scripture to our daily lives on this earth. James 3:17 is an eye-opener for me, as it should be, that there are ways right now to walk in heaven’s wisdom.
Karen, this is so profound. And so profoundly different from what the world teaches us wisdom. Thank you for shedding light from God’s Word to help us see heavenly wisdom, which is true and eternal. There is such a longing for these qualities, though not easy to live it out. We need God’s help to grow in this and it certainly comes from being submissive to His Word and His will. Wonderful and wise post!
Melissa, I like how you said, “There is such a longing for these qualities, though not easy to live it out. We need God’s help to grow in this and it certainly comes from being submissive to His Word and His will.” Yes!
Lord, help us learn to walk in and live out your definition of wisdom: “But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.” James 3:17 (NIV)
Karen, this is a great explanation of what wisdom from above really looks like. Seems like so many people these days have a lot of knowledge, or think they do anyway, but don’t necessarily impart it wisely. I’m grateful too, for what James 1:5 says, that when we need wisdom, we can ask God and He will give it “generously to all without finding fault.”
Lois, James 1:5 is a favorite verse as well. And to see how James went on in chapter 3 to describe wisdom from heaven in this way, blows my mind. Because it’s in such contrast to the world’s view of wisdom. Thanks for adding your insight.