Good conduct reflects wisdom

“Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.”

YouVersion Bible App ESV James 3:13 ESV

This is an incredible verse. Opening with a question like this seems to be a trap. Anyone who answers, “I am,” could probably be seen as lacking in humility or meekness. No one can truly answer this question and be the one whom the question seeks to find. This draws a line in the sand between those who serve with a trumpet’s horn versus those who serve with stealth.

Conduct can be done in private, but cannot be kept private. A person’s character—which is how a person conducts themselves when no one else is around to watch—is essentially comprised of one’s actions, works, or deeds. In light of this, conduct then becomes a reflection of one’s character for all to see. You might have conducted yourself positively or negatively through actions that no one witnessed, but now that the spotlight is on you, everyone is now able to see the results of your actions. People talk, and that is how a person’s reputation can preceed them.

“A person’s character—which is how a person conducts themselves when no one else is around to watch—is essentially comprised of one’s actions, works, or deeds.”

A person who commits crimes against his neighbors will know to stay silent. The neighbors will suspect and some will even talk without evidence. Would the person who helps their neighbor remain equally silent? They should. That would be “the meekness of wisdom.” How good is the person who needs to tell others how good they are? Trust that people will suspect your good works and some will even talk without evidence. Your conduct reflects your character for all to see. This is what people will use when they heap praise to shower upon you or heap stones to throw upon you. If good conduct is a mark of wisdom, what would bad conduct be a mark of?