The Wisdom That Leads to Real Change

There are two kinds of change in life: outward change and inward change.

Outward change happens around us. It includes shifts in our circumstances or environment—moving to a new home, losing a job, receiving a promotion, or even changing your appearance. These changes affect our situation, and most of us experience them regularly. They are simply part of life.

Inward change, however, happens within us. It involves our heart, mindset, attitudes, and beliefs. This type of change requires humility and vulnerability. It asks us to examine ourselves honestly and admit that there may be areas where we need to grow.

Of the two, inward change is usually more difficult. Outward change happens to us; inward change requires something from us. It demands self-awareness, courage, and a willingness to take responsibility for who we are becoming.

Humanity has long struggled with humility and vulnerability. In many cultures, these qualities are viewed as weaknesses. As a result, pride and arrogance often take their place. We naturally want to be right. When we realize we are wrong, we face a choice: humble ourselves and admit it, or protect our pride and insist we were right all along.

Admitting we are wrong is not easy. It requires vulnerability—especially in front of the very people we may have tried to impress or prove ourselves to. It means lowering our defenses and acknowledging our mistakes. Yet real growth depends on this willingness. To become a better version of ourselves, we must be able to recognize and confess our faults. That is why inward change is so challenging—it calls us to confront ourselves honestly and choose humility over pride.

Another factor that often prevents inward change is our understanding of wisdom. Many people believe themselves to be wise—but what does that truly mean? And why does wisdom matter so much when it comes to change?

In the Epistle of James, we read:

“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. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such ‘wisdom’ does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.” (James 3:13–18)

According to James, wisdom is revealed through humility and action. Yet when people claim wisdom out of envy or selfish ambition, their goal is not growth but recognition. They want to appear right rather than become righteous. This is not true wisdom; it is pride disguised as insight. Scripture describes it as earthly and unspiritual because it centers on self. And if I am convinced that I am already wise, why would I feel any need to change?

So what produces heavenly wisdom?

Heavenly wisdom is pure. It does not seek attention or status. It is peace-loving, not eager for conflict or self-justification. It is gentle and reasonable, willing to listen. It is full of mercy and good fruit, consistent and sincere. It values integrity over image. Heavenly wisdom would rather be righteous than simply win an argument. It expresses itself through humility and good deeds.

Dallas Willard once wrote, “When we submit what and where we are to God, our rule and domination then increases.” The pathway to a righteous life is submission and humility. The more we fight to defend our version of what is right, the further we drift from who we were created to be.

As God declares in the Book of Isaiah, “My ways are higher than your ways, and My thoughts are higher than your thoughts.” Since the beginning, humanity has resisted humility and submission, choosing pride instead. Yet pride and arrogance are the true enemies of inward change. True wisdom leads us away from self-exaltation and toward humble dependence on God—and it is there that real transformation begins.