Wisdom and its rewards are invaluable. Solomon makes this clear in the first three chapters of Proverbs. How do we get the wisdom we need? How do we know when we have become wiser? James addresses these questions.

Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. -James 1:2-8

The proof, as they say, is in the pudding. Wisdom is seen in how a person handles difficult times. Our struggles in faith produces the endurance to keep pushing through, much like a runner’s training increases his ability to go further distances without tiring. A person does not successfully run a marathon without building up good endurance. James mentions God being the source for any wisdom lacking to deal with difficult times. The caveat is the person asking must believe that God can give them what they need—the wisdom to handle whatever circumstances come their way properly. How do we know when God has granted us this great blessing?

Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing. -James 3:13-16

This section of James’ letter is sandwiched between a section on controlling the tongue (3:1-12) and one about quarrels stemming from greed (4:1-12). A runner that is gasping for breath is a runner whose conditioning is not where it should be. Likewise jealousy, arrogance and selfish ambition show a lack of training in godly wisdom.

According to James, wisdom (or it’s lack) is shown by the fruit produced in someone’s life. True wisdom comes from God, not man. A person of true wisdom shows God’s transforming fingerprints all over the,. As we ask, believing, we will see noticeable changes in our behaviors.

But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

-James 3:17-18

By asking for and receiving wisdom, we become what He wants us to be—wise like Christ.