#36 - Who Is Really Wise? | James 3:13 | The Wisdom War

In this episode of The Daily Rebel, we dive into one of the most direct and challenging questions in the Bible from James 3:13:

“Who is really wise?”

Not who sounds wise.

Not who talks the most.

Not who knows the most.

James makes it clear—real wisdom isn’t proven by your words, it’s revealed by your life. 

In a world obsessed with platforms, opinions, and appearances, this episode will challenge you to examine what your life is actually showing. Because wisdom you claim means nothing if it isn’t wisdom you live.

In this episode, we break it down:

1. Real wisdom is revealed in your walk — It’s not what you say, it’s how you live
2. Real wisdom is rooted in humility — Strength under control, not pride on display
3. Real wisdom reflects its source — Your life exposes what’s actually leading you

If your wisdom makes you louder, harsher, or more prideful… it’s not from God.

This is a call to stop performing wisdom—and start living it.

Bottom line:

Wisdom you have is wisdom you live. And wisdom that isn’t lived… isn’t real.

Transcript

The Question: Who Is Really Wise?

Today's Text: James 3:13

What Biblical Wisdom Actually Looks Like

The Three Points

#1 - Real Wisdom is Revealed in Your Walk

You Can Know Jesus and Quote Jesus and Still Be a Jerk

#2 - Real Wisdom is Rooted in Humility

True Wisdom Lowers Itself Before it Lifts Its Voice

#3 - Real Wisdom Reflects its Source

Final Challenge: Does Your Life Show Wisdom?

Outro

SPEAKER_00 0:05

This podcast is for the ones who know that we're rescued, but also know that we're reset, saved by grace, set to live differently. We're not rebelling against God, we're rebelling against everything that keeps us from Him. And every day, we don't swing our opinions, we sharpen our lives on the Word of God, the sword of the Spirit guiding us, cutting through lives, and leading us one step at a time. We'll talk faith, identity, purpose, leadership, and what it really looks like to follow Jesus in a distracted world. Welcome to the Daily Rebel. Yo, welcome back to the Daily Rebel. Y'all, can you believe this? We're already at episode 36. And God has been moving, the feedback's been incredible. Let's keep going. So the question that I have for you today is who is really wise? So here we go. James chapter three. We'll be in verse 13 today. Here's what it says it says, Who among you is wise and understanding? By his good conduct, he should show that his works are done in the gentleness that comes from wisdom. So check this out. James asks a question that cuts deeper than it sounds. He says, Who among you is wise? Not who sounds wise, not who talks the most, not who knows the most, who is actually wise. Because in this culture, just like ours, people loved being seen as wise. James knew that. They wanted the platform, the voice, the influence. And James is like, if you're really wise, don't tell me, show me. This verse becomes the filter for everything that follows. Because before James exposes false wisdom and explains true wisdom, he defines how you recognize it. And it's not always by words, it's by life. So James uses two words. He says, wise and understanding. So wise refers to skill in living, not just knowledge, but application. How do you take that knowledge and walk it out? And understanding refers to discernment, the ability to see clearly and judge rightly. And then he gives the test. By his good conduct, he should show. Look, he says the word, like really right here, the word show means to demonstrate, to prove, to put on display. It ain't just talking it out, it's walking it out. So wisdom is not hidden. And then James adds the tone, done in the gentleness that comes from wisdom. So gentleness here is not weakness, it's actually strength under control. It's humility. It's a life that doesn't have to prove itself. So James is saying, if your wisdom is real, it will show up in how you live and how you carry yourself. So let me give y'all three points under this text. So if you have a notebook, write it down. If you write it down, you're more inclined to walk it out. Here we go. Number one, real wisdom is revealed in your walk. Real wisdom is revealed in your walk. He says, Who among you is wise? James isn't asking for your words. He's looking at your life. Because wisdom isn't proven by what you say, it's proven by how you live. I'm gonna keep nailing that in the head. Here's why is because James is a very, very practical writer and he tries to get, he gets repetitive in some ways because he wants us to get it. So if you can quote scripture and still lack wisdom, you can actually quote scripture and still lack wisdom. I like to say you can know Jesus and you can quote Jesus and still be a jerk. You can sound spiritual and still live foolishly. You see, real wisdom shows up in everyday decisions, how you respond, how you treat people, how you handle pressure. Redeemed rebels, look, we don't just talk truth, we walk truth. So wisdom isn't what you say, it's how you live. So number one, real wisdom is revealed in your walk. It's not just talk, it's all about walk. And number two, real wisdom is rooted in humility. He says, done in the gentleness that comes from wisdom. So look, gentleness is strength under control. It's not weakness, it's restraint, it's humility that chooses not to dominate. You see, real wisdom doesn't need to prove itself, it doesn't need to win every argument, it doesn't need to be seen because it's secure. If your wisdom makes you arrogant, it's not from God. And if it makes you harsh, it's not from God. But if it may and if it makes you unteachable, it's not from God. But listen, we need to understand that true wisdom lowers itself before it lifts its voice. Have you ever been in a setting where you feel like people are just spitting wisdom out of their mouths and you feel like you need to chime in? So you try to you try to figure out uh uh or something in your brain or you try to create some type of quote to sound wise. Look, man, here's the deal real wisdom is rooted in humility. Sometimes the wisest thing you can say is nothing. Sometimes the wisest thing you can do is listen. So look, true wisdom lowers itself before it tries to lift its voice. If your wisdom makes you louder and not lower, it's not from God. And here's number three. So remember remember, number one, real wisdom is revealed in your walk. Number two, real wisdom is rooted in humility. And number three, real wisdom reflects its source. So he says, by his good conduct, he should show your life is always telling the truth about your wisdom, not your intentions, not your words, your conduct. The way you live reveals what's actually leading you. Because wisdom has a source, and whatever source you're drawing from will show up in your life. You don't have to announce wisdom, you reveal it. Redeemed rebels, look at me. We we don't try to appear wise, we live in a way that proves it. Your conduct exposes your wisdom. So James makes it simple. Wisdom is not about what you claim, it's about what you show. So here's the daily rebel question I want you to have ask yourself. If someone followed you for a week, would they see and experience wisdom and not just hear it? Because we need to understand something powerful. Wisdom you have is wisdom you live. And wisdom that isn't lived isn't real. We'll see you tomorrow back here on the Daily Rebel. Thank you for listening to today's episode. Before you go, if you want to help other people be equipped to be redeemed rebels, give us a follow and share it around with your friends. We'll see you next time.