The solution to every problem is the same—wisdom. The best problem solvers are, therefore, wise people. How do we recognize a wise person? In other words, what would be some key indicators?

In the above biblical text, the Holy Spirit, through James’s pen, revealed one clue. The clue was conduct characterized by the meekness of wisdom. But what does this mean?

Conduct refers to a person’s lifestyle. According to Thayer’s Greek Lexicon, the New Testament Greek word translated conduct refers to one’s manner of life, behavior, and deportment.ⁱ

According to Vine’s Dictionary, the New Testament Greek word translated meekness can be understood to be “that temper of spirit in which we accept His (God’s) dealings with us as good, and therefore without disputing or resisting.”ⁱⁱ In other words, meekness is the belief that God is always working good in our lives no matter the circumstances. Furthermore, since good is a divine attribute,ⁱⁱⁱ God’s definition of good means to bring into alignment with himself.

Wisdom, as defined by Dr. Bruce Waltke, refers to the skill to live life well.^iv The predicate to wisdom is the belief in a benevolent, sovereign, intentional Creator who is orchestrating events to accomplish good (alignment with himself) in and through his people.^v

My synthesis of the idea of conduct characterized by the meekness of wisdom is that wise people display, through their words and actions, an internal heart attitude that believes in a benevolent Creator working in and through them for his good purpose. According to the psalmist, when a person’s words and actions align with sound truth about God, that person will be blessed by God.^vi Real wisdom is, therefore, rooted internally in sound theology that is displayed by external action aligned with God’s will and ways. People who live accordingly will be blessed.

The above text explicitly states that internal reality drives external actions. This is a timeless universal principle (TUP). When a person’s internal belief about God is sound, then that person’s external actions (i.e., conduct) will be sound. Sound theology (internal reality) and corresponding sound deportment (external actions) lead, therefore, to divine blessing. This is true in every area of life, including building organizations.

Here is your business tip. Wise people are recognized by the excellence of their attitudes and actions. They are divinely blessed people who build their lives based on a sound knowledge of God and, therefore, enjoy the favor of God in every area of life, including their work. Such people are the only ones who consistently enjoy divine favor and therefore consistently deliver excellent value. Consequently, organizational leaders should seek to build their organizations with wise people—people whose conduct displays the internal virtue of meekness of wisdom. Organizations built on this standard will deliver excellent value that will bless all stakeholders. And excellent value is a key predicate to enduring success.

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i https://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G391&t=ESV.
ii http://www.menfak.no/bibelprog/vines?word=%AFt0001785.
iii Psalm 73:1.
iv Private communication.
v Romans 8:28.
vi Psalm 1.