When we see different trees in a field, how do we recognize them? Most of the trees look the same: same leaves, same height, same time of producing fruit. Now what distinguishes the trees that outwardly look the same? Their fruit! My brother, my sister, have you ever known anyone who claimed to be wise but who acted foolishly? The fact is, we ourselves sometimes do the same. But true wisdom is measured by our character: a wise person listens before talking, a wise person thinks before talking, a wise person seeks advice when unsure, a wise person depends on God because true wisdom comes from God. The fact is, many use their human intelligence and classify themselves as wise. Yet, the fruit they bear do not make their wisdom obvious to others. My friend, foolishness leads to confusion and disorder while wisdom leads to peace and goodness. Are you tempted to escalate a conflict, pass on the gossip or fan the fire of discord? Be careful, because wise, loving words are the seeds of peace and God loves peacemakers: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9); He will never be in favour of crowd or wind followers whose words change according to the circumstances: “A perverse man sows strife, and a whisperer separates the best of friends. A violent man entices his neighbor, and leads him in a way that is not good. He winks his eye to devise perverse things; he purses his lips and brings about evil” (Proverbs 16:28-30). My friend, regularly check yourself: as a believer planted in the vine of the Lord, what fruit do you bear? When people see a mango on a tree, they call the tree a mango-tree… the mango-tree does not have to say “I am a mango-tree, not an apple-tree” to be recognised. Now, when people see, do they say: “that’s a Christ’s follower, that’s a Christian?” or do you have to justify yourself to be identified as such? Just as a tree is more likely to be identified by the fruit it produces, your display of true wisdom, which produces the fruit of the Lord in you, will enable you to be identified as a Christian. So it is crucial for you to always check the fruit you bear in the light of the Word of God to ensure you are not deceiving yourself, because today verse is clear: “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness” (James 3:13-18). Stay blessed in Jesus’ name. [facebook] [retweet]