Open to Reason

In the middle of the seven components of wisdom from above listed in James 3:17 is the phrase that the ESV translates open to wisdom. Other translations translate the same words as submissive, willing to yield, compliant and reasonable. In any dispute, a charge you will not hear brought against someone is that that person is open to reason. It will be just the opposite; he won’t listen to reason! And yet here it is clearly listed—open to reason.

To be open to reason, you must be both wise and confident. The wise person is comfortable with God’s word. This means that he knows where to go in the Bible for help. He knows that the Bible has everything needed for life and godliness. He knows that a wise man listens first and asks questions later. The one who is open to reason is also confident.The biblical confidence noted here flows from the words in James 1. The double-minded man, the man who asks in doubt, cannot be stable. In contrast, the one who is open to reason welcomes the opportunity to hear from others. He knows where to find answers in his Bible. He is not afraid to hear what others say or want, because he knows God’s Word addresses every issue he might face, and he genuinely wants God's answers more than he wants to prove himself right.

In a dispute, self-protection is often the first instinct. But for the wise man the first thought will be to listen, so that genuine understanding can develop. The wise man isn't compelled to defend himself first. This attitude breaks down barriers rather than erecting them.

Being open to reason is an important component of wisdom from above. Are you open to reason? Would those around you say that you are open to reason? Please give this some serious thought. I’ll finish looking at this key component in the next post.