Most reading this will doubtless be familiar with Solomon’s request for wisdom at the outset of his reign (see 1 Kings 3). The Bible tells us that God appeared to him in a dream and offered him anything he wanted. He could have asked for money, security or a long life, but instead he requested the wisdom necessary to lead the people of God. The Lord was pleased with Solomon’s request and promised to give him not only wisdom, but also the riches, security and long life for which he had not asked.

Almost immediately, Solomon’s wisdom was put to the test. Two women came to him, each claiming to be the mother of the same child. The women lived together, and each had a child of around the same age. One of the children died, and the two were arguing over who was the mother to the living child. Solomon famously called for a sword to divide the child in two, and when only one woman objected he immediately recognised her to be the true mother.

I find it interesting that Solomon’s wisdom was almost immediately put to the test to resolve conflict, because James draws a very clear parallel in his epistle between wisdom and conflict.

James argues essentially that biblical wisdom is given to us to help us in relationships, which are often filled with conflict. The only way to deal with conflict in the church is through biblical, Christ-centred wisdom. James contrasts worldly wisdom with heavenly wisdom, and it is these contrasting forms of wisdom that we want to consider in this study.

Previously, we made a brief survey of Hebrews 11 and concluded by noting that the Patriarchs all died in faith having not received the promises and yet as they departed this world they spoke truth into the lives of those they were leaving behind. They reminded their loved ones of the promises of God; they pointed them to His faithfulness to keep His Word; they spoke wonderful words of life—even as they were moments away from death. As they were about to pass into the very presence of God they had His Words on their lips, yea in their mouths.

What a wonderful way to die: speaking words of life; “chewing” on God’s promises; being nourished by His truth and satisfied with His will. And yet how much better it is to also live eating God’s Word.

As followers of the Lord Jesus Christ we are called to take in His Word and to give it out; to so live that His truth is always on our lips because it is well settled already in our hearts. We are to be so truth oriented that God’s Word will be a constant and steady course in our daily diet. In fact, His Word must be our favourite meal. As the psalmist wrote, “How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth” (Psalm 119:103).

We believers are called upon to eat God’s words and then, with His truth in our mouths, we are to open our lips and minister life to others. Again, this is what we find regarding those who made it into the Hall of Faith. And we, like them, are called to use our tongues to speak God’s truth, to have mouths that are full of faith. This is the theme of my message in this study