Wisdom is First, Pure

But the wisdom from above is first pure James 3:17 ESV

Decisions, decisions, decisions.. Is there really  a way to know if the next decision is moving us in the right way? Yes, it is first pure.

As James begins to unpack wisdom, he starts building its characteristics with the foundation – purity. Let’s take a moment to unpack this.

Purity – Greek Hagnos and adjective from Hagios- properly, pure (to the core); virginal (chaste, unadultered); pure inside and out; holy because uncontaminated(undefiled from sin), – From HELPS word studies.

James begins with purity as it reflects God’s holiness upon which all other attributes of wisdom can build properly. A simple illustration of the purity of holiness is similar to a brand new white t-shirt, unworn. It has no spots and is unsoiled from being worn or touching anything else unclean. For me, it seems easy to get one spot on the new shirt, which Pam will point out as now stained. God’s holiness, purity, reveals how good He is and why we need a Savior.

Purity of wisdom stays within the guardrails of God’s revealed word, the Bible. Telling the truth keeps us pure, because it has not fallen into the ditch of lying or deception. When we think of telling the “small white lie” to help another person not feel bad, we are slipping away from the purity of wisdom in action. When we have to add an excuse as to why we veered off the straight and narrow, we have moved away from the purity of wisdom.

The advantage to continuing to read God’s word is it helps with the clarity of living with a pure heart.  Blessed are the pure of heart for they shall see God. James has written earlier that looking (reading the Bible) at God’s perfect law is like looking at a mirror. We can easily see the spot, the wrinkles, the things on our body that are out of order. So, reading the Bible can help us see where our decisions have not reflected the purity of God’s character.

Application – How does your speech reflect the purity of God’s character? Do you gossip, malign or judge others with your words? Are your eyes focusing on things that are unclean, or causing you to envy and become jealous of others? Are you a giver with your possessions or hoarding? Wisdom’s purity can help you make the adjustments to move back on God’s path and out of the ditches.

Here is the wonderful thing about purity and wisdom. God can make you clean again…right now…Just-as-if-i’d…never sinned before.  John 1:9 If we confess our sins (agree with God that I chose wrong), he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 

There is no path on our own working that can remove the stain and blemish of sin from our lives. God alone has the power and ability to bring purity over you. He can and desires to make us clean. Our part is the willingness to humble ourselves and allow Him to wash us clean with the shed blood of Jesus. Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

You can make decisions which are pure. When you fail, Jesus cleanses you to continue choosing right decisions which are…first of all pure.

Blessings 

Love y’all