Godly Wisdom vs Worldly Wisdom

By: Lisa Hodgins

Friday, November 6, 2026

For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. Proverbs 2:6

James Chapter 3 gives us a description of worldly wisdom. In verses 14-16, James mentions traits like bitterness, envy, selfish ambition. James continues by calling those things evil and demonic.

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. James 3:17

Godly wisdom is pure, and in verse 3, he says we display it by living godly lives and serving the Lord with humility. Billy Graham said it like this: “Godly wisdom is a heavenly gift that comes from knowing God and viewing life through an eternal perspective. Earthly wisdom leaves God out and relies on human pride, and it only leads to confusion.”

Billy Graham's 4 points about Godly wisdom.

1) The Starting Point: The fear of the Lord is the beginning of true wisdom and spiritual education.

2) Knowing God’s will: To know and live in the center of God’s will is the highest form of wisdom.

3) Heavenly Characteristics: Wisdom from above is pure, peace-loving, gentle, full of mercy, and sincere.

4) Seek it First: We must seek God’s wisdom through prayer and reading scriptures before we seek earthly advice.

He wrote in one of his daily devotions that “living in the center of God’s will rules out all falseness of religion and puts the stamp of true sincerity upon our service to God. You can be wretched with wealth and fame, out of His will, but you can have joy in obscurity, if you are in the will of God. You can have agony in good health, out of His will, but you can be happy in the midst of suffering, if you are in God’s will.

You can be miserable and defeated in the midst of acclaim, if you are out of His will; but you can be calm and at peace in the midst of persecution, as long as you are in the will of God. The bible reveals that God has a plan for every life, and that if we live in constant fellowship with Him, He will direct and lead us in the fulfillment of this plan.”

Lord, in everything I do, may you always be the first one I turn to. Align my will and the will of my family to your perfect will for us.

Read: Psalm 90:12, Ephesians 5:15-16