“The
wisdom that is from above is… without hypocrisy.” (v.17)
When there is a discrepancy between what we say and what we do,
we create confusion in the minds of others. That's why many nonbelievers do not
take the gospel message seriously. A Christian who makes the greatest impact on
a watching world, and who furthers the cause of Christ, is one whose actions
are in harmony with his speech.
When James spoke of the "wisdom that is from above,"
he described it as "pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full
of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy" (v.17).
This wisdom does not require a high IQ or a great SAT score. It comes from a
rebirth of our hearts and our spirits to a life truly taken captive by God,
which allows us to speak and do the truth.
When actions and words agree, the message is loud and clear, and
without hypocrisy.
The Truth: “Then
Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to His disciples, saying: “The scribes and
the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do
according to their works; for they say, and do not do.” (Matthew 23:1-3)
