I like to think I have a lot of wisdom; what people usually call “common sense”. But how much of it do I have when I use the biblical definition? James 3:17 says; “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.”

Of that list of spiritual attributes, I’d say my greatest challenge is “willing to yield.” My natural tendency is willing to make it happen, willing to do it my way, willing to win. I’m pretty strong willed all the way around in fact. But willing to YIELD? Not often, I’m afraid.

I think about the yellow triangular signs at cross streets. Yielding there means you have to slow down and look both ways and wait if anyone else is coming. A “Yield” sign means someone else has the right of way. Maybe that would be a good way to look at it regarding the wisdom from above too.

For every decision, for every human interaction – slow down and look both ways. No pushing ahead – peddle to the metal so to speak. If someone else is coming, let them through; give them the right of way. But when we feel we are right on an issue we want to force our own right of way.

Caution! That is not the pure peaceable gentle wisdom God gives us — if only we are willing to yield.