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Seeking wisdom

Discern counsel through justice, humility, practice and peaceful fruit.

1. 1. Read and discover - Read lesson

   World English Bible

   James 1:5

   ⁵ But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

   Read the full chapter

   Understanding the passage

   James addresses people facing trials; asking for wisdom concerns faithful living rather than controlling the future.

   Reflect

   • For which difficult decision might you ask God for wisdom?

   Put it into practice

   Frame a specific question and seek responsible counsel.

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2. 2. Solomon asks for discernment - Read lesson

   World English Bible

   1 Kings 3:5-14

   ⁵ In Gibeon, the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, “Ask for what I should give you.”

   ⁶ Solomon said, “You have shown to your servant David my father great loving kindness, because he walked before you in truth, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with you. You have kept for him this great loving kindness, that you have given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is today.

   ⁷ Now, LORD my God, you have made your servant king instead of David my father. I am just a little child. I don’t know how to go out or come in.

   ⁸ Your servant is among your people which you have chosen, a great people, that can’t be numbered or counted for multitude.

   ⁹ Give your servant therefore an understanding heart to judge your people, that I may discern between good and evil; for who is able to judge this great people of yours?”

   ¹⁰ This request pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing.

   ¹¹ God said to him, “Because you have asked this thing, and have not asked for yourself long life, nor have you asked for riches for yourself, nor have you asked for the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern justice,

   ¹² behold, I have done according to your word. Behold, I have given you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has been no one like you before you, and after you none will arise like you.

   ¹³ I have also given you that which you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that there will not be any among the kings like you for all your days.

   ¹⁴ If you will walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days.”

   Read the full chapter

   Understanding the passage

   Solomon asks for ability to govern and judge; wisdom is responsibility toward the people rather than private advantage.

   Reflect

   • Why does Solomon ask for wisdom to govern the people?

   Put it into practice

   Seek advice before a decision affecting other people.

   Next lesson →

3. 3. Trust beyond self-reliance - Read lesson

   World English Bible

   Proverbs 3:5-6

   ⁵ Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and don’t lean on your own understanding.

   ⁶ In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

   Read the full chapter

   Understanding the passage

   The proverb calls for acknowledging God in decisions; trust does not remove learning, counsel or responsibility.

   Reflect

   • How can you trust God without assuming you must work everything out alone?

   Put it into practice

   Seek reliable counsel about a decision you cannot see clearly.

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4. 4. Hearing and doing - Read lesson

   World English Bible

   James 1:22-25

   ²² But be doers of the word, and not only hearers, deluding your own selves.

   ²³ For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man looking at his natural face in a mirror;

   ²⁴ for he sees himself, and goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was.

   ²⁵ But he who looks into the perfect law of freedom and continues, not being a hearer who forgets but a doer of the work, this man will be blessed in what he does.

   Read the full chapter

   Understanding the passage

   James compares hearing without acting to forgetting one’s face; a mature response joins attention and practice.

   Reflect

   • What does the mirror comparison teach about hearing the word and putting it into practice?

   Put it into practice

   Turn one teaching read today into a specific action.

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5. 5. Wisdom by its fruit - Read lesson

   World English Bible

   James 3:13-18

   ¹³ Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by his good conduct that his deeds are done in gentleness of wisdom.

   ¹⁴ But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, don’t boast and don’t lie against the truth.

   ¹⁵ This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, sensual, and demonic.

   ¹⁶ For where jealousy and selfish ambition are, there is confusion and every evil deed.

   ¹⁷ But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceful, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

   ¹⁸ Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

   Read the full chapter

   Understanding the passage

   James distinguishes rival ambition from peaceful merciful wisdom; conduct tests claims to wisdom.

   Reflect

   • Which qualities of wisdom does James describe, and how might they guide your decisions?

   Put it into practice

   Evaluate advice by honesty, mercy and willingness to listen.