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Wisdom ...

             Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. (James3:13)

If you listen to the messages being sent in the world, you’re likely to hear that white people should lay aside their white privilege of assuming that everything in the universe is as they believe it to be. They should humble themselves and recognize that they do not automatically know what is best either for themselves or for anyone else.

At the same time, you’ll hear that it is absolutely proper for women to assume their feminine privilege of knowing what is best for herself and those around (and within) her. And no one has the right to question her decisions about her life or the life of the baby within her. Similarly, you’re likely to hear that it is the right of a person to impose their perception of themselves on others.

In other words, what is good and necessary of one group is bad for another. The Bible rejects that idea. Wisdom rejects this double standard. Yes, white people should understand that theirs isn’t the only way to see things. So should every other group. Yes, each and every one of us should live good lives and do good deeds, and thereby prove ourselves wise, but those good deeds do not include imposing perspectives on people. If we are going to reject privilege in order to be wise and therefore humble, every person must deal with their own privilege – not go hunting for privileged people, and not joining those who claim that this person or that group deserves or has the right to impose their will on someone else.

It’s not easy, but wisdom isn’t easy. 

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