But the wisdom from above is … gentle at all times
James 3:17 (NLT)
There is information. There is knowledge. There is understanding. There is discernment. These four factors combined can help navigate the course of life. These four combined give a good indication of what wisdom is. However those four factors are not impartial. They can be geared towards a particular preference or focus.
As James highlights, there is a wisdom that comes from the world. It is the kind of wisdom that uses information, knowledge, understanding and discernment to push through a self-centred and demonic agenda. It disguises itself in noble sentiments from time to time, but it doesn’t take much over time for the real underlying issues to emerge. Self-preservation, self-gratification and selfish ambition at the expense of others if need be. As a result this type of wisdom can play at tolerating people and even giving the impression of valuing people. But these are merely devices used to see people as a means to an end and that end is an image of the self that has been detached from its Creator.
James points out an alternative to the world’s kind of wisdom and goes to the source. He refers to the heavenly kind of wisdom that is marked by God Himself. This wisdom bears qualities that reflects our heavenly Father. That is to say that fruitfully going through life can be done in day to day decision-making when heavenly wisdom is exercised.
A very interesting element of this type of wisdom is that it’s characterised by being what James calls ‘being gentle at all times’. That’s a very interesting characteristic. It’s interesting because being called gentle can evoke different pictures and portrayals. For example it’s easy to confuse gentle with soft. They come across as similar and from the same family. It gives the impression that it’s harmless and inoffensive. That’s a slight misconception of the Bible’s idea of gentleness especially when we look at the person who embodied what it is to be gentle more than anyone – Jesus.
A man who makes a whip to chase out money collectors in a temple could hardly be described as soft. A man who referred to his critics as whitewashed sepulchres and hypocrites does not fit the concept of soft. A man who let his opponents know that they were children of the devil is not a front-runner in the Soft Person of the Year. A man who had no problem referring to his disciples as slow of heart, satan and those of little faith would not be confused for being soft.
This same man, though, referred to himself as being gentle. He embodied someone whose decisions were taken with that quality in mind. It would be useful, then, to get an idea of what gentle means so we can likewise see these qualities in the wisdom we pursue to enjoy the life we are offered in this man, Jesus Christ.
The gentleness considered here describes someone who is careful and considerate of others. It is not the self-centred, conceited and vain aim of the world’s idea of wisdom. This gentle quality is always mindful of those who are being engaged. This kind of gentleness is very sensitive to those who are around, not to squash any hopes of life, growth and peace. Gentleness has a radar for what’s right and just and aims for that with due diligence.
You consider this man, Jesus Christ, who typified what it is to be gentle in how He engaged with those rejected by society. You see it in how He reached, touched, blessed and loved those who were deemed to be outcasts. You even consider that this is the hallmark of how He gave Himself as a ransom for many and even while people were at odds with Him, opposed Him and blatantly hated Him, He died for them. You look at these qualities of the wisdom that comes from above and you take your time and appreciate that this special trait in wisdom is not the norm.
It explains why this quality is not just something associated with heavenly wisdom, it is part of the outcome experienced by those who walk in the Holy Spirit. Jesus, full of this Spirit, was equippend and empowered to exercise these qualities. His gift as He left His disciples was to give them this same Spirit not just to be on them, but to be in them – filled with Him to declare who He is and present Him in their lives – a light shining in a world that didn’t know this kind of wisdom. Being full of this wonderful Holy Spirit brought about fruit that included this kind of gentleness.
Therefore dependence on the Holy Spirit is the key to being exercise this kind of wisdom. This is the ability to recognise a stormy argument ahead and gainiing the soft word that can turn away anger. This is the ability look to reach out with empathy and sympathy where necessary to address a situation rather than a harsh and dismissive attitude. This is the ability to see situations that cry out for the gentle touch and extend it as the focus is on the one who showed what it is to be gentle.
As we grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus, the point is to grow in this characteristic kind of wisdom. It’s to see Jesus in how He engaged in every day life and on mission for the Kingdom of God and by seeing Him, be more desirous to allow His life to shape and determine your own to the point that there is no discernible difference between Jesus and you. This is the process by which the heavenly wisdom becomes what we’re known for and see that in the gentleness applied on all occasions.
There lays the challenge. In a world where it’s easy to get upset and to be irate is a cause of celebration, the wisdom God applauds avoids these tendencies. Where rash impulses are fuelled by self-interest that can be abrasive and aggressive, God’s Spirit can lead us to responses that are filled with a gentleness that transforms any atmosphere from bitter and acrimonious to at least one that seeks understanding and an ability to relate as the image bearers we were created to be.
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
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