Wisdom is one of the most valuable assets and most sought-after psychological states of being. In the Bible, wisdom is a virtue and a character trait of righteous individuals. It is known to be the key to success in life and the cornerstone of a prosperous society. In the Bible, wisdom is seen as being conferred by God and is seen as something to be sought after by everyone.
The Bible talks about wisdom in many ways. For example, Proverbs 4:7 tells us that “the beginning of wisdom is fear of the Lord”. This is an important verse that implies that wisdom comes not just from knowledge, but from a relationship with God, who is the source of all wisdom. In Proverbs 8, wisdom is personified as Lady Wisdom, who is described as being ever present and accessible to all who seek her. Lady Wisdom is described as being all-knowing, and as someone who is to be desired.
In the New Testament, wisdom is associated with Christ, who is described as the “wisdom of God” (1 Corinthians 1:24). This is significant because it implies that one should follow in Christ’s example of wisdom, and place trust in him for guidance and counsel. This is echoed in the book of James, where it is written that “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all…” (James 1:5). In other words, wisdom is seen as something that needs to be sought out and pursued, and it is not something that is simply acquired naturally.
The Bible also makes it clear that wisdom and knowledge are not the same things. Knowledge can be acquired through the study of facts and material, whereas wisdom comes from understanding God’s ways and being able to apply it to different areas and circumstances. In other words, knowledge is more of an intellectual exercise, while wisdom requires God’s guidance and direction.
Finally, the Bible also speaks to the importance of wisdom in relationships. Proverbs 16:21 states that “a wise man’s heart guides his mouth”, which is a clear reference to the importance of having wisdom in how one speaks to others. This implies that wisdom is an important trait to have if one wants to have successful relationships with other people.
Radical Grace
The Bible also speaks to the importance of grace in the pursuit of wisdom. This is exemplified in the story of Joseph in Genesis, where Joseph was shown great mercy by Pharaoh after he had been wrongly accused. From this story, we can learn that even when we have been wronged or are facing difficult circumstances, God still shows mercy to us and grants us wisdom to see our way through.
As well, the apostle Paul’s letters to the churches in his time point to the importance of grace in the pursuit of godly wisdom. For instance, Paul exhorts the church to “live a life worthy of the calling you have received,” (Ephesians 4:1) which implies that, even amidst difficult moments, we should strive to respond to situations with grace, understanding and wisdom. Furthermore, in writing to Timothy, Paul says “But the Lord’s bondservant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged” (2 Timothy 2:24). This demonstrates Paul’s emphasis on the need for grace and gentleness when navigating difficult moments and conversations.
Taking Action
In order to the acquire wisdom, one must take action. This action can include prayer, reading and studying the Scriptures, meditating on God’s Word and asking others who are more experienced or wiser for counsel and advice. In addition, participating in activities that allow one to draw closer to God can be a powerful tool in discerning God’s will. This includes things such as fasting, seeking out a retreat centre or simply seeking out a quiet place in nature where one can reflect on the Word and be still before God.
God also uses other people as a source of wisdom, and so it can be beneficial to have a mentor or a group of people who can act as an additional source of guidance on one’s journey. In seeking out these people or communities, it is important to make sure that they are ones who are patient and gentle, and who will be able to point one in the direction of wisdom.
It is also a good practice to set aside time each day to simply be still and ponder the Word of God, instead of rushing through life without discerning what God is calling one to do. Taking the time to sit in God’s presence can allow one to properly process God’s will and learn to live with greater wisdom.
The Power of Prayer
Prayer is also a powerful tool in seeking out wisdom. In the Bible, Jesus took time to pray and seek the counsel of his Father before taking decisive action. In 1 Kings 3, Solomon asked God for wisdom, and God responded by granting him a discerning voice and an understanding heart beyond his years. Through prayer, we can ask God for wisdom, knowing that He will answer our request and grant us the guidance we need.
In light of all this, it is clear that, both in the Old and New Testaments, the Bible speaks to the immense value, power and importance of wisdom. God desires us to be wise, and allows us to draw closer to Him in our striving for wisdom. We are encouraged to take gentle and humble steps towards acquiring knowledge and discerning His will, while not forgetting to practice mercy and grace even in the toughest of circumstances. All of this requires the courage to confront our current status quo, a willingness to learn and a commitment to changing our outlook. With God’s help, a spirit of openness and a commitment to relying on Him, we can gain deeper insight and understanding, and discover the joy of learning to live a wise and discerning life.
Questions to Ponder
One of the ways that we can grow in wisdom is to ask questions and ponder our current circumstances. Questions can open up a door to understanding and help bring clarity to our current situation. Some questions that we can ask ourselves are:
What do I need to learn in order to be wiser? What is the context of my current situation? How can I learn to be patient and more gracious in my interactions? What is the purpose of conflict and how can I use it to become more discerning? In what ways can I seek out God’s guidance and direction? How should I respond to others’ mistakes in a more godly manner?
Seek First His Kingdom
At the end of the day, seeking after wisdom is about understanding God’s ways and discerning His will for one’s life. It is about having an attitude of humility and an openness to learning and being teachable. As Matthew 6:33 states, “Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you”. This verse encapsulates our desire to seek after the things of God, which should supersede all of our other goals and aspirations. By orienting ourselves towards this perspective, we can prepare ourselves for a journey of wisdom and understanding.
The Precious Gift
Finally, it is important to remember that wisdom is a precious gift that God has promised to all who take the time to seek it out. As stated in Proverbs 2:6-7, “For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding; He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk in integrity.” In other words, when we open our hearts to God and approach Him with humility and reverence, we can be sure that He will answer us and grant us His wisdom. This is the highest reward that we can receive, and it is something we should all be grateful for.
Final Words
In conclusion, the Bible speaks to the power and importance of wisdom. It tells us that wisdom is something that should be pursued and sought after, and it is something that we should be willing to learn and grow in. As we pursue God’s wisdom and direction, the Scriptures remind us that He is always available to us and will grant us His understanding and insight. By taking steps to become wiser, we can make better decisions, grow closer to God and learn to live a more purposeful and meaningful life.
