How can we access the wisdom of God? Explore the biblical definition of wisdom and discover the keys to unlocking divine insight for our lives.

The Essence of Biblical Wisdom

At the core of the biblical understanding of wisdom lies the recognition that all true wisdom originates from God. The Scriptures make it clear that the knowledge deemed essential for God’s children is found in His Word, the Bible. Beyond this special revelation, God has also revealed His truth through the general revelation of creation, as Romans 1:20 states.

Distinguishing Earthly and Divine Wisdom

The Bible draws a distinction between “earthly wisdom” and the “wisdom that comes from above” (James 3:14-18). Earthly wisdom is often driven by selfish ambition, whereas the wisdom from God is characterized by purity, peace, gentleness, and a willingness to yield. To tap into God’s wisdom, we must seek it with a humble and reverent heart.

The Path to Acquiring Wisdom

The book of James provides clear guidance on how to access God’s wisdom: “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you” (James 1:5). This passage emphasizes the importance of asking in faith, without wavering, and acknowledging that true wisdom comes from God alone.

The Role of God’s Word and Meditation

The longest chapter in the Bible, Psalm 119, is devoted to the value of God’s Word and the role of meditation in gaining understanding and wisdom. By reading, studying, and meditating on Scripture, we can obtain the knowledge and insight needed to apply it to our everyday lives.

The Fear of the Lord: The Foundation of Wisdom

The book of Proverbs states that “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction” (Proverbs 1:7). This “fear of the Lord” refers to an awed respect for God and a reverence for His Word, which serves as the bedrock for true wisdom.

Wisdom Manifested in Godly Living

The wisdom that comes from God is not merely theoretical; it is meant to be lived out in practical, tangible ways. As James 3:13 states, “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.”

Tapping into the Wisdom of God

In summary, to access the wisdom of God, we must diligently study His Word, meditate on it, pray for wisdom, seek it with all our hearts, and walk in the Spirit. God desires to impart His wisdom to His children, but we must be willing to be led by that wisdom in our everyday lives.

The Bible makes it clear that true wisdom is a gift from God, not something we can acquire through our own efforts. By humbling ourselves before God, acknowledging our need for His guidance, and actively seeking His wisdom, we can tap into the boundless knowledge and understanding that He offers.

What does it mean to have the “fear of the Lord”? The “fear of the Lord” refers to a deep reverence and respect for God, recognizing His power, holiness, and authority. It is the foundation for true wisdom, as it leads us to submit to God’s will and align our lives with His ways.

How can we cultivate a fear of the Lord? Some key ways to cultivate a fear of the Lord include:
– Regularly reading and meditating on God’s Word
– Developing a deep appreciation for God’s attributes, such as His sovereignty, justice, and mercy
– Acknowledging our own sinfulness and need for God’s grace
– Seeking to please God in our thoughts, words, and actions
– Surrendering our lives fully to God’s leadership and guidance

What is the difference between knowledge and wisdom? Knowledge refers to the accumulation of facts, information, and understanding. Wisdom, on the other hand, is the ability to apply that knowledge effectively in the practical matters of life. Wisdom involves discernment, good judgment, and the ability to make sound decisions that align with God’s will.

How does the book of Proverbs emphasize the importance of wisdom? The book of Proverbs is filled with practical insights and exhortations regarding the value of wisdom. It personifies Wisdom as a figure who calls out to those who are simple, mocking, and foolish, urging them to repent and receive the wisdom that God offers (Proverbs 1:20-23). The book emphasizes that the fear of the Lord is the foundation for true wisdom and knowledge (Proverbs 1:7).

Why is meditation on God’s Word essential for gaining wisdom? As seen in Psalm 119, meditation on God’s Word is crucial for developing understanding and wisdom. Meditation involves deeply reflecting on the truths of Scripture, considering how they apply to our lives, and allowing the Holy Spirit to transform our minds and hearts. Through this process, we move from mere knowledge to the practical wisdom needed to live lives that honor God.

How can I tap into the wisdom of God?

Answer

All that God deemed essential knowledge for His children is found in His Word—the Bible. Beyond that, all truth is God’s. God has, however, revealed His truth to all humans in the things created (Romans 1:20) called general revelation, and in His written Word called special revelation (1 Corinthians 2:6–10).

There is a difference between “earthly wisdom” and the “wisdom that comes from above” (James 3:14–18). To tap into God’s wisdom, we must, first of all, desire it and ask God for it. “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you” (James 1:5). The next verse specifies that we must “ask in faith, nothing wavering” (verse 6).

We acknowledge that true wisdom comes from God and that Jesus Christ is the embodiment of that wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:30). To trust in Christ and yield to His Holy Spirit is to walk in wisdom; as Christians, “we have the mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:16).

Love of God, the greatest commandment, is also required. “As it is written: ‘What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived’—the things God has prepared for those who love him—these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God” (1 Corinthians 2:9–10; cf. Isaiah 64:4).

To have knowledge is to have understanding or information about something. To have wisdom is to have the ability to apply knowledge to everyday life. It is in the reading and understanding of God’s Word that we obtain knowledge, and meditating upon that knowledge brings wisdom. The longest chapter in the Bible is Psalm 119, which is all about gaining understanding and wisdom from God’s Word. Just a few verses are “Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long” (verse 97). “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path” (verse 105). “I will meditate on your precepts, and have respect to your ways. I will delight myself in your statutes: I will not forget your word” (verses 15–16). The word meditate is used five times in Psalm 119 and in various forms another fifteen times in the book of Psalms. Meditation is required to fully consider how to apply God’s Word in everyday life.

The book of Proverbs is full of wisdom. In that book, Wisdom calls for a hearing: “How long will you who are simple love your simple ways? How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools hate knowledge? Repent at my rebuke! Then I will pour out my thoughts to you, I will make known to you my teachings” (Proverbs 1:22–23). The promise of Wisdom is that those who desire God’s truth can have it, but it requires giving up the world’s foolish mockery of the truth. “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction” (Proverbs 1:7).

To have the “fear of the LORD” is to have an awed respect of who God is and a reverential trust in His Word and His character, and to live accordingly. When one is walking in the fear of the Lord, he or she is relying on God’s wisdom in the matters of everyday life and making whatever changes need to be made in light of God’s Word.

Those who have God’s wisdom will show it in how they live: “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” (James 3:13).

In summary, to tap into God’s wisdom, we must diligently study God’s Word (2 Timothy 2:15), meditate on the Word, pray for wisdom, seek it with all our hearts, and walk in the Spirit. God desires to give His wisdom to His children. Are we willing to be led by that wisdom?

Definition from the KJV Dictionary

wisdom

WISDOM, n. s as z. G. See Wise.

1. The right use or exercise of knowledge; the choice of laudable ends, and of the best means to accomplish them. This is wisdom in act, effect, or practice. If wisdom is to be considered as a faculty of the mind, it is the faculty of discerning or judging what is most just, proper and useful, and if it is to be considered as an acquirement, it is the knowledge and use of what is best, most just, most proper, most conducive to prosperity or happiness. Wisdom in the first sense, or practical wisdom, is nearly synonymous with discretion. I differs somewhat from prudence, in this respect; prudence is the exercise of sound judgment in avoiding evils; wisdom is the exercise of sound judgment either in avoiding evils or attempting good. Prudence then is a species, of which wisdom is the genus.

Wisdom gained by experience, is of inestimable value.

It is hoped that our rulers will act with dignity and wisdom; that they will yield every thing to reason, and refuse every thing to force.

2. In Scripture, human learning; erudition; knowledge of arts and sciences.

Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians. Acts 7.

3. Quickness of intellect; readiness of apprehension; dexterity in execution; as the wisdom of Bezaleel and Aholiab. Exodus 31.

4. Natural instinct and sagacity. Job 39.

5. In Scripture theology, wisdom is true religion; godliness; piety; the knowledge and fear of God, and sincere and uniform obedience to his commands. This is the wisdom which is from above. Psalm 90. Job 28.

6. Profitable words or doctrine. Psalm 37.

The wisdom of this world, mere human erudition; or the carnal policy of men, their craft and artifices in promoting their temporal interests; called also fleshly wisdom. 1 Corinthians 2. 2 Corinthians 1.

The wisdom of words, artificial or affected eloquence; or learning displayed in teaching. 1 Corinthians 1 and 2.

The Difference Between Knowledge And Wisdom

posted on November 10, 2015

Get wisdom; get insight; do not forget, and do not turn away from the words of my mouth. Do not forsake her, and she will keep you; love her, and she will guard you. ~Proverbs 4:5-6 (ESV)

One of my favorite scenes in Attack of the Clones is when Obi-Wan is humble enough to go and seek out help when he could not get an answer from the Jedi archive.

He has gone to a local dinner in hopes of finding answers to who made the poison dart that killed the would-be assassin. In talking with his friend Dex about the dart’s origins, Obi-Wan ponders aloud why the analysis archive did not have any record of the dart’s origins.

Dex points out that “It’s these funny little cuts on the side give it away. Those analysis droids only focus on symbols.”

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“I should think that you Jedi would have more respect for the difference between knowledge and wisdom.”~Dex

Obi-Wan was searching for knowledge- an answer to a factual issue. What he was missing was wisdom (application of knowledge and experience).

Knowledge vs. Wisdom

What is the difference between knowledge and wisdom? How would you describe each?

Webster’s dictionary defines knowledge as “the fact or condition of being aware of something.”

It also defines wisdom as the “ability to discern inner qualities and relationships. ”

In Scripture we are told that “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.”

The fear of the Lord needs explaining. It is not fear in the sense of seeing a bear rummaging through your trash cans, right outside your kitchen. It is a fear in the sense of reverence or awe.

The word translated “fear” in many versions of the Bible comes from the Hebrew word yirah (יִרְאָה), which has a range of meaning in the Scriptures. Sometimes it refers to the fear we feel in anticipation of some danger or pain, but it can also mean “awe” or “reverence.” In this latter sense, yirah includes the idea of wonder, amazement, mystery, astonishment, gratitude, admiration, and even worship (like the feeling you get when gazing from the edge of the Grand Canyon). The “fear of the LORD” therefore includes an overwhelming sense of the glory, worth, and beauty of the One True God. (source: http://www.hebrew4christians.com/Scripture/Parashah/Summaries/Eikev/Yirah/yirah. html)

If you were to rewrite Proverbs 9:10, The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight. We could say “The reverence you show to the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.”

Why Wisdom Begins With Fear & Reverence

Why is fear, reverence, or awe the beginning of wisdom?

Go back and read Genesis 1:1. “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.”

We should be in awe and reverence for the Creator of the universe. We should approach the Lord humbly and look to Him for help and answers.

Western science started in an attempt to understand how God created things and ordered the universe. It is modern science that has tried to push God out of our understanding.

We would be smart and wise to come to God looking for wisdom.

What if you are not wise? How can you attain wisdom?

We see in James 1:5 that “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. ”

That is very comforting. There is a condition that is included in verse six. “But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.”

We can know a lot of the facts and figures of Scripture. We can study theology and church history, but miss out on knowing God.

It is said that some will miss entering heaven by 18 inches, the average distance between our head and our heart.

Knowledge of God is important. Having wisdom that comes from God is more important. Through seeking out God in reverence, awe, and fear, we can come into a relationship with Him.

In talking with non-believers we need to be careful to distinguish between worldly knowledge and wisdom and the knowledge and wisdom that come from God. There can be a big difference.

Get Wisdom | Desiring God

I believe all men have this in common: that they want to be happy. They do not all agree on what brings the greatest happiness, but they do all long to have it. And this longing is not bad. It is good. Evil consists in trying to find happiness in ways that displease and dishonor God. Goodness consists in finding happiness in ways that please and honor God. We can conceive of a world in which we might be called upon to do right at the expense of our ultimate happiness. But that is not the world in which we live. God has established this world in such a way that doing good through faith in Christ always leads to greater happiness eventually. We do not live in a world where we must choose between our eternal happiness and God’s glory! God has created this world and its moral laws in such a way that the more we choose to glorify God, the happier we will be.

God Made Us to Be Eternally Happy

Of course this does not mean that there is no discipline, no self-denial. “If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it” (Mark 8:34, 35). But it is clear from Jesus’ words that self-denial is a means to saving our lives. This means simply that we must stop seeking our happiness in one way and start seeking it in another. Therefore what sets Christians off from the world is not that we have given up on the universal quest for happiness, but that we now seek our happiness from a different source and in different ways. We have learned from Jesus, who “for the joy set before him endured the cross” (Hebrews 12:2), that the joy we seek may require that we choose to suffer for Christ’s sake. Yet we must never become self-pitying because “the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us” (Romans 8:18). Nor can we ever become proud since we know that “suffering produces patience, and patience produces approvedness, and approvedness produces hope” (Romans 5:3, 4)—hope that God will restore our happiness one hundredfold (Mark 10:30). So you can’t boast in your sufferings since they are all bringing about our greater happiness in God.

So I take it to be a great and wonderful and liberating truth that God made us to be eternally happy. And I find great help in viewing the Bible as God’s guidebook to joy. We ought to view the Bible as a divine prescription for how to be cured of all unhappiness. The medicine it prescribes is not always sweet, but the cure it brings is infinite and eternal joy at God’s right hand (Psalm 16:11).

The point of my message this morning is that we should “get wisdom.” We should bend all our efforts to become wiser tomorrow than we are today. And I speak not just to students and graduates, but to us all. Graduation today at Bethel gives me an occasion to say something that applies to us all, namely, that formal education is only one stage in the process of becoming a wise person. So much of life has been professionalized and institutionalized that we easily slip into the notion that it is the responsibility of some profession or some institution to impart to us wisdom. You can see this tendency in the fact that continuing education in many spheres is thought of entirely in terms of taking courses from professionals in institutions.

The implication seems to be that wisdom and understanding are something you purchase with tuition and class fees, rather than being a daily, lifelong process of growth. But what I want to stress this morning is that we should never be content with the wisdom we attained through formal education, and we should not think that the only way to grow in our understanding is by taking more courses. When the wise man says in Proverbs 4:5, “Get wisdom, get insight,” he does not mean, “Go to school, take more courses.” That might be part of God’s plan for you. But for most of us it is not. Yet the command comes to us all: “Get wisdom!” What does this mean? How shall we do it? And why is it so important?

What Is the Importance of Getting Wisdom?

Let’s begin by asking why is it so important? We have already seen that all men seek happiness, and that this is not bad but good. Now the reason that getting wisdom is important is that it is the practical knowledge by which we gain this true and lasting happiness. Proverbs 3:13 says, “Happy is the man who finds wisdom and the man who gets understanding.” Proverbs 24:13–14 says, “My son, eat honey, for it is good, and the drippings of the honeycomb are sweet to your taste. Know that wisdom is such to your soul; if you find it, there will be a future, and your hope will not be cut off.”

In other words, by means of wisdom you can make your way into a hope-filled future. It is the key to lasting happiness. Proverbs 19:8 says, “He who gets wisdom loves himself.” In other words, do yourself a favor: Get wisdom! Get wisdom! Proverbs 8:32–36 sums it all up beautifully. Here wisdom herself is speaking and she says, “And now, my sons, listen to me: happy are those who keep my ways . . . Happy is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting beside my doors. For he who finds me finds life and obtains favor from the Lord; but he who misses me injures himself; all who hate me love death. ” If we do not make it our aim to “get wisdom,” we will suffer injury and finally death. Therefore, the command, “Get wisdom; get insight,” is very important. As Proverbs 16:16 puts it, “To get wisdom is better than gold; to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.” It is a matter of life and death. The ultimate, eternal happiness that all people long for will only be found by those who first “get wisdom.”

I say that ultimate and eternal happiness is what wisdom will bring, because I want to emphasize that not all happiness comes from true wisdom. Proverbs 15:21 says, “Folly is a joy to him who has no sense.” Our thirst for happiness is insatiable in this world, and if we do not have the wisdom to seek it in God, then we will find whatever substitutes we can in the world. Terrorists may find it in shooting presidents and popes. Executives may find it in climbing the corporate ladder. Athletes in breaking world records. Scholars in publishing books. Gamblers may find it in Reno. Musicians in selling a million records. The sources where people seek happiness apart from God are countless: drink, drugs, sex, suntans, television, tubing, eating, talking, walking, etc., etc. But the happiness that these things bring is not true and lasting. It is not ultimate and eternal. It is not the joy for which we were made. And, therefore, it leaves us unsatisfied, frustrated, incomplete, knowing that there must be something more. But that ultimate and eternal happiness that we crave is only found by wisdom. Therefore it is supremely important that we “get wisdom.”

What Is Wisdom?

Now what is it? What are the characteristics of the person who has it? The first characteristic you all know: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight” (Proverbs 9:10). The wisdom that leads to life and ultimate joy begins with knowing and fearing God. You may recall from two weeks ago in the message, “A Woman Who Fears the Lord Is to Be Praised,” that fearing the Lord means fearing to run away from him. It means fearing to seek refuge, and joy, and hope anywhere other than in God. It means keeping before our eyes what a fearful prospect it is to stop trusting and depending on God to meet our needs. The fear of the Lord is, therefore, the beginning of wisdom not only in the sense that it is the first step in a wise way to live, but also in the sense that all the later characteristics of wisdom flow from the fear of the Lord like a river flows from a spring.

Let’s look at some examples. Proverbs 11:2 says, “When pride comes, then comes disgrace; but with the humble is wisdom.” The wise person is characterized by humility. The person who is proud does not fear the Lord, who hates a haughty spirit, and therefore can’t get to first base in wisdom. But the person who fears the Lord is humble, because he depends on God for everything and fears to take credit himself for what God does. Humility, in turn, is foundational for the other aspects of godly wisdom because humility is teachable and open to change and growth. The proud person does not like to admit his errors and his need for growth. But the humble person is open to counsel and reason, and ready to be corrected and follow truth.

Humility, unlike pride, does not recoil when commanded to do something. And this is essential for the advancement of wisdom, because Moses taught us that wisdom consists in knowing and doing the commandments of God. Deuteronomy 4:5–6, “Behold I have taught you statutes and ordinances, as the Lord my God commanded me that you should do them . . . Keep them and do them; for that will be your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples.” And Jesus said the same thing about his own words, “Everyone who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house upon a rock” (Matthew 7:24). A good definition of godly wisdom, therefore, would be: hearing and doing God’s Word. God’s Word is a divine prescription for how to be finally cured of all unhappiness. Wisdom is the practical knowledge of how to attain that happiness. Therefore, wisdom is hearing and doing the Word of God. But the only people who will do this are the people who are humbly relying on God for help and who fear to seek happiness anywhere but in him. Therefore, the fear of the Lord is the beginning and spring of all true wisdom.

But something more has to be said about the nature of this wisdom. It is not enough to say it is a humble hearing and doing of God’s Word, because God’s Word does not address itself specifically to every human dilemma. A famous example from Solomon’s life will illustrate (1 Kings 3:16–28). One day two prostitutes came to King Solomon. One of them said, “My lord, this woman and I live in the same house, and we each gave birth to a son last week. And one night while she was asleep, she rolled over on her son and smothered it. So she got up at midnight and took my living son from me while I slept and left me with her dead son. When I woke in the morning and looked closely, I could tell it was not my son. ” But the other woman said, “No, the living child is mine, and the dead child is yours.” And so they argued before the king.

Then the king said, “You both say the living child is yours. I will settle the matter; bring me a sword.” So a sword was brought and the king said, “Divide the living child in two and give half to the one woman and half to the other.” But the woman whose son was alive yearned for her son and said, “No, my lord, give her the child and by no means slay it.” And the other said: “It shall be neither mine nor yours, divide it.” Then the king said, “Give the living child to the first woman. She is its mother.” The story concludes with this observation: “And all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had rendered; and they stood in awe of the king, because they perceived that the wisdom of God was in him, to render justice” (1 Kings 3:28).

There was no biblical command to tell Solomon what to do when two harlots claim the same baby. Therefore, wisdom must go beyond knowing and doing the Word of God. Wisdom must include a sensitive, mature judgment or discernment of how the fear of the Lord should work itself out in all the circumstances not specifically dealt with in the Bible. There has to be what Paul calls in Romans 12:2 a “renewing of the mind” which is then able to examine and approve the will of God. He calls this a “spiritual wisdom” in Colossians 1:9, “We have not ceased to pray for you, that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding.” Of course the wisdom which follows God’s Word and the wisdom which discerns the way to act when there is no clear word from God are not separate. It is precisely by saturating our minds and hearts with God’s Word that we gain the spiritual wisdom to guide us in all situations.

So in summary, when the Bible says, “Get wisdom,” it is referring to that practical knowledge of how to attain true and lasting happiness. It begins with the fear of the Lord and consists in humbly hearing and doing God’s will perceived both in Scripture and in the unique circumstances of the moment. Such wisdom is essential because the person who has it finds life and joy, but the person who doesn’t finds death and misery. Therefore, “Get wisdom! Get wisdom!”

How Can We Get Wisdom?

Now finally I want to mention five biblical instructions for how to get this wisdom. First, desire wisdom with all your might. Proverbs 4:8 says, “Prize her highly and she will exalt you; she will honor you for your embrace.” These are not cheap words. To prize something and to embrace someone are signs of intense desire and love. Wisdom must be valuable for us. We must be willing to sell all in order to buy it: “Seek it like silver, and search for it as for hidden treasure” (Proverbs 2:4). Blessed is the graduate who walks through the commencement line more hungry for wisdom than when he entered school, for he shall be satisfied.

Second, since wisdom is found in the Word of God, we must apply ourselves in study and meditation to know the Word and do it. “The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.” (Psalm 19:7). Therefore, we must devote ourselves to know and understand the testimonies of the Lord. And here I commend not only faithful Bible study, but also regular reading of great books on theology and biblical interpretation, books that distill the wisdom of the greatest students of the word over the past 1900 years.

Now, I know what you are thinking: I don’t have the time or the ability to get anywhere in books like that. So I want to show you something really encouraging. When this was shown to me about four years ago by my pastor, it changed my life. Most of us don’t aspire very high in our reading because we don’t feel like there is any hope. But listen to this. Suppose you read about 250 words a minute and that you resolve to devote just 15 minutes a day to serious theological reading to deepen your grasp of biblical truth. In one year (365 days) you would read for 5,475 minutes. Multiply that times 250 words per minute and you get 1,368,750 words per year. Now most books have between 300 and 400 words per page. So if we take 350 words per page and divide that into 1,368,750 words per year, we get 3,910 pages per year. This means that at 250 words a minute, 15 minutes a day, you could read about 20 average sized books a year!

When I heard that, I went home, analyzed my day, and set aside the 15 minutes just before supper to read Jonathan Edwards’ big book, Original Sin. And I did it in a couple of months. Then I turned to something else. I was absolutely elated: reading that I thought never could get done was now getting done in a 15 minute slot that would have been wasted anyway. Therefore, I encourage you, there is hope. Choose some classics that you’ve always wanted to read (St. Augustine’s Confessions, or City of God; John Calvin’s Institutes; Martin Luther’s Commentary on Galatians, or Bondage of the Will; John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress; Jonathan Edwards’ Religious Affections; etc. ), and set aside 15 minutes, maybe just before you go to sleep, to read. You will not be the same person next year at this time. Your mind will be stretched, your heart enlarged, your zeal more fervent. Above all, you will have grown in wisdom. And it may not be long until someone says of you: “The words of his mouth are as deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a gushing spring” (Proverbs 18:4).

The third thing we should do to get wisdom is pray. Solomon was not born a wise man. He prayed for wisdom and God said, “Because you have asked this and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, behold now I do according to your word” (1 Kings 3:11). And Daniel admitted that in himself he had no wisdom (Daniel 2:30), but he said, “To thee, O God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise, for thou hast given me wisdom and strength, and hast made known to me what we asked of thee” (2:23). And we have seen how Paul prayed that the churches might be given “spiritual wisdom” (Colossians 1:9) and that they might have “a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of God” (Ephesians 1:17). And finally, James puts it as clearly as we could wish: “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God” (James 1:5). The wisdom that leads to true and lasting happiness is not natural or inborn. It is supernatural. It is a gift of God. Therefore, if we would “get wisdom,” we must pray.

The fourth biblical instruction for how to get wisdom is to think frequently of your death. Or to put it another way, think of the shortness of this life and the infinite length of the next. Psalm 90:12 says, “So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.” There is scarcely any thought that will purge our priorities of vain and worldly perceptions like the thought of our imminent death. O how cleansing it is to ponder the kind of life we would like to look back on when we come to die. There is great wisdom in such meditation. Therefore, think often of your dying.

Finally, there is one last, absolutely essential thing to do if you would “get wisdom”: you must come to Jesus. He said to the people of his day, “The queen of the south will arise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold something greater than Solomon is here” (Matthew 12:42). What an understatement. Greater than Solomon indeed! Solomon spoke God’s wisdom. Jesus is the wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:24, 30). Others had spoken truth; he is the truth. Others had pointed the way to life; he is the way and the life (John 14:6). Others had given promises, but “all the promises of God find their yes in him” (2 Corinthians 1:20). Others had offered God’s forgiveness; Jesus bought it by his death. Therefore, in him are “hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:3). To know and love and follow this Jesus is to own the treasure of ultimate and eternal happiness. Therefore, the command, “Get wisdom,” means first and foremost “Come to Jesus! Come to Jesus!” in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom.

How to Have Wisdom from God According to the Bible – Inspiring Tips

Photo by Vali S.

Wisdom is the ability to discern what’s right from what’s wrong. It is a gift that gives us the capability to make the right choice or decision. If knowledge is power, then wisdom is using that power the right way.

We can be educated or intelligent, but without wisdom, our education or intelligence may only be in vain. An intelligent person could earn more fame, money, and fortune, but a wise one could earn more friends, honor and God’s favor.

There is wisdom from people and there is also wisdom from God. The first may be packed with eloquence but less in substance, while the latter may not sound beautiful but full of power.

God’s wisdom can make one wise man more powerful than ten rulers in a city (see Ecclesiastes 7:19). It also preserves the life of its possessor (see Ecclesiastes 7:12).

What is the Difference Between Wisdom and Knowledge?

The difference between wisdom and knowledge is:

Wisdom is the ability to apply knowledge.

Knowledge is the awareness of information gained through observation, experience, or study.

Through learning and experience, we gain knowledge about our surroundings and how to handle various situations during life.

But without wisdom to apply that knowledge, it isn’t very valuable to us or others.

Someone may know a lot about something, have all kinds of information in their mind, but if they do not have the wisdom to apply it, then they really don’t have much value in their mind or from others.

What is God’s wisdom in the bible?

God’s wisdom is the blessing from God to help us apply knowledge.

God wants us to know His wisdom so we can apply it and have the great ability to handle life instead of being ridiculed.

That’s what wisdom does, and it helps you make wise decisions that are beneficial for you and others.

Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding, (Proverbs 3:13, NIV)

There is higher wisdom and understanding than people possess. This “wisdom of God” is unlike anything that can be found naturally in the world. It comes only from God, but you can ask Him for wisdom and learning God’s Word.

God wants to give us the wisdom to make good choices in life, avoid temptation and defeat the devil.

Temptation blinds us from the truth and leaves us making poor decisions that always lead to trouble later on.

People can make wise decisions when they seek God’s wisdom when they spend time reading His Word and asking for His guidance.

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. (James 1:5, NIV)

Your commands are always with me and make me wiser than my enemies.  I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes. I have more understanding than the elders, for I obey your precepts. (Psalm 119:98–100)

Why Do We Need God’s wisdom?

Sometimes people go through life without really knowing the impact that they make on those around them. They could be kind-hearted, giving and caring, and completely in tune with others’ moods, but they don’t always see what it is that makes a difference to someone else.

God’s wisdom revolutionizes our lives by showing us how we’ve impacted other people in ways we never would’ve imagined – sometimes for better, sometimes for worse. It also opens our eyes to the wisdom we possess within ourselves.

These insights are important because they help us learn how to be wise in everything we do and say, whether it’s on a personal level or towards an organization.

Characteristics of God’s Wisdom

God’s wisdom is the sum of all His attributes. It is a force that affects everything we are and does, including our thoughts, feelings, choices, and actions.

We can know God’s wisdom by reading our Bibles.

It guides us through life with a higher purpose that helps us make better decisions and live in harmony with those around us.

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. (James 3:17, NIV)

1. Godly wisdom is pure.

Godly wisdom purity – free from sin, not corrupt; morally clean.

False wisdom is characterized by sin. It is a false, deceitful guide that leads to disappointment and heartache.

While godly wisdom comes from God who made our hearts, so it is pure from the foundation of our hearts up to the very tops of them.

2. Godly wisdom is peace-loving.

False wisdom gets easily offended when faced with any rejection or criticism.

God’s knowledge guides us towards peace, not hostility, gentleness instead of an argumentative spirit.

3. Godly wisdom is considerate.

God’s wisdom is giving and full of compassion.

It helps us to see things from another person’s perspective without judging them.

False wisdom causes us to be inconsiderate of others, which leads to stress, bitterness, and a closed heart.

4. Godly wisdom is submissive.

God’s wisdom submits to His will and does what He wants. It allows God to change us for the better.

False wisdom is rebellious, always wanting its own way and making sure it controls the outcome of a situation. This leads to sin and wrong-doing in all areas of life.

5. Godly wisdom is full of mercy and good fruit.

God gives us wisdom that leads us to show mercy on others according to our means, helping those hurting financially, physically, or emotionally.  It also encourages us to do things that bring goodness into people’s lives instead of despairing them with false hope.

6. Godly wisdom is impartial.

God loves everyone the same. He doesn’t want us to be prejudiced towards anyone, which is shown in His impartial wisdom.

False wisdom goes along with what’s popular or trendy, fulfilling our own selfish desires.

7. Godly wisdom is sincere.

It comes from a pure, genuine source that wants nothing but good things for us and those around us. Therefore, to have God’s wisdom within ourselves, we must live honestly and sincerely, just as God does toward us.

10 Ways to Have Wisdom from God

So how can we have wisdom from God according to the Bible? Here are 10 biblical ways to be wise:

1. Ask for wisdom from God.

“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” – James 1:5 (KJV)

The first thing you can do to gain wisdom from God is to ask it from Him. Admit that you lack wisdom. Overcome your arrogance and admit that you have also been a folly.

2. Ask faithfully.

“But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.” – James 1:6-7 (KJV)

Be faithful when asking and praying for wisdom from God. Cast all your doubts away and believe in Him. In other words, don’t ask wisdom while you disobey His commands – that is an act of hypocrisy and unfaithfulness. Believing in God and being faithful to Him means you also keep and obey His commandments.

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3. Be a God-fearing person.

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.” – Psalm 111:10 (KJV)

When you have fear in God, you follow His teachings and obey His commands. You avoid committing sins that will displease Him. You stay away from acts that will inflict harm upon yourself and other people. And then you will realize that these are good – these are right – and that is wisdom.

4. Be humble.

“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.” – James 3:13-16 (NIV)

If you want to have wisdom from God, live a humble life. Humility will help you overcome envy and selfish ambition that lead to wicked practices. So choose humility and wisdom, not foolishness and wickedness.

5. Be prudent.

“I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, and I find knowledge and discretion. ” – Proverbs 8:12 (ESV)

Wisdom is the ability to make good judgments. Hence, always practice prudence. Don’t be hasty in making decisions. Always expand your knowledge. The more you know, the better your judgment will be.

6. Be peaceful and considerate.

“But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.” – James 3:17 (KJV)

Always observe awareness and practice peacefulness. Be gentle and slow to anger. Learn how to forgive and show mercy. Be considerate of the feelings of the people around you. Have compassion and understand the sufferings of others. By achieving calmness, peacefulness and full awareness of your surroundings, you will have a better chance to receive the wisdom that comes from God.

7. Read the Holy Scriptures and know the words of God.

“And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. ” – 2 Timothy 3:15 (KJV)

Be patient in reading and learning God’s words in the Bible. The scriptures contain instructions, warnings, and guidance on how we should live and walk on Earth. The more you know the words of God, the more you will be wise.

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8. Know our Lord better.

“that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” – Colossians 2:2-3 (ESV)

Our Lord Christ is God’s wisdom. Read more about Him in the Holy Bible. Listen to the preachers who know Him better. Learn His ways and follow His teachings. Believe in Him and love Him. These will certainly give you the key to the treasures of wisdom.

9. Preach and practice the Words of God.

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. ” – Colossians 3:16 (KJV)

Be the manifestation of God’s wisdom. Do not just learn God’s words, but also preach and practice it. Make yourself the substantial evidence of kindness, compassion, self-discipline, and love. Let the people around you realize that the wisdom of God, which is Christ, is within you.

10. Do your best to get wisdom.

“Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or swerve from them. Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.” – Proverbs 4:5-7 (NIV)

Do your best to get wisdom. Free yourself from foolishness, arrogance, pride, envy, hatred, selfishness, and all the things that hinder wisdom from entering your body, mind, heart, and soul. Let the pure wisdom of God dwell in you.

Bible Verses about Wisdom

For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. (Proverbs 2:6, NIV)

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. (James 1:5, NIV)

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. (James 3:17, NIV)

How much better to get wisdom than gold, to get insight rather than silver! (Proverbs 16:16, NIV)

Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. (Colossians 4:5-6, NIV)

Pride leads to conflict; those who take advice are wise. (Proverbs 13:10, NLT)

To acquire wisdom is to love yourself; people who cherish understanding will prosper. (Proverbs 19:8, NLT)

If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom. (James 3:13, NLT)

“Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. (Matthew 7:24, NLT)

Pride leads to disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. (Proverbs 11:2, NLT)

Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the LORD, and humility comes before honor. (Proverbs 15:33, NIV)

The wise in heart accept commands, but a chattering fool comes to ruin. (Proverbs 10:8, NIV)

I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors, for you have given me wisdom and strength. You have told me what we asked of you and revealed to us what the king demanded.” (Daniel 2:23, NLT)

Even fools are thought wise when they keep silent; with their mouths shut, they seem intelligent. (Proverbs 17:28, NLT)

The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. (Proverbs 4:7, NIV)

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. (Proverbs 1:7, NIV)

Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding (Proverbs 3:13, NIV)

Fear of the LORD is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment. (Proverbs 9:10, NLT)

Know also that wisdom is like honey for you: If you find it, there is a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off. (Proverbs 24:14, NIV)

Get wisdom; develop good judgment. Don’t forget my words or turn away from them. (Proverbs 4:5, NLT)

Fear of the LORD is the foundation of true wisdom. All who obey his commandments will grow in wisdom. Praise him forever! (Psalm 111:10, NLT)

Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm. (Proverbs 13:20, ESV)

My son, if your heart is wise, my heart too will be glad. (Proverbs 23:15, ESV)

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Vic is the founder of InspiringTips.com. He regularly writes for the site and also serves as its digital marketing strategist. Vic likes to talk about true love, meaningful life, quantum physics, spiritual growth, and more.

You Don’t Know What You Don’t Know: Knowledge, Understanding, and Wisdom

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.

-Proverbs 1:7

In our first post on thinking biblically about faith, work, and economics, we suggested five tools, or mental models, that should shape and support our thinking and decision-making, as well as help us build a holistic biblical worldview. By using these tools, we can take biblical principles and apply them to various situations that we encounter in our daily lives.

We have looked at the first two, “personal vision” and “gifts and talents,” now we want to turn to the third tool, “wisdom and knowledge.”

At first glance, it seems that the authors of the Bible use the words “wisdom,” “knowledge,” and a third term, “understanding,” almost interchangeably. A closer examination shows a difference in the way the three terms are used. This difference is very important for our understanding of this third mental model of “wisdom and knowledge.”

Simply put, these gifts as they are called in the Bible are defined as:

• Knowledge – the facts (Proverbs 9:10, Proverbs 18:15, Colossians 2:8, 1 Timothy 2:4).

• Understanding – ability to translate meaning from the facts (Psalm 119:130, Proverbs 3:5-7, 18:2, Philippians 1:9-10).

• Wisdom – knowing what to do next, given an understanding of the facts and circumstances (Ecclesiastes 8:1, James 3:17).

Those with knowledge are able to collect, remember, and access information. But, it is possible to have knowledge and lack understanding and wisdom. Someone might have the facts, but not know what they mean or what to do next.

Those with understanding are able to extract the meaning out of information. They “see through” the facts to the dynamics of what, how, and why. Understanding is a lens which brings the facts into crisp focus and produces principles.

Those with wisdom know which principle to apply in a given context. Understanding without wisdom can appear contradictory (Proverbs 26:4-5). For example, the statement, “He who hesitates is lost,” is true, but so is the idea that “haste makes waste.” Which principle to use depends on the context. Those with wisdom know what actions to take next. They do the right thing in the given situation. In contrast, there are many who have great knowledge and understanding but who consistently do the wrong thing.

Charles Spurgeon once wrote,

Wisdom is the right use of knowledge. To know is not to be wise. Many men know a great deal, and are all the greater fools for it. There is no fool so great a fool as a knowing fool. But to know how to use knowledge is to have wisdom.

The following table may help you visualize the difference between these three terms:

In any given situation, God rarely gives all three gifts to any one person. We need to cooperate and assist each other with our particular gift in order to accomplish what God has called us to do, especially in our vocational work.

This is what economists call the “knowledge problem.” No one person or group can have absolute knowledge or know all the facts, though we are all supposed to work towards developing and acquiring knowledge, wisdom, and understanding in our lives. God is the only one who does not have a knowledge problem.

We will return to the interplay between these three terms— “knowledge,” “understanding,” and “wisdom”—in a later post. But first let’s look closer at this idea of knowledge.

The New Testament word “disciple” literally means “a learner.” Christians are called to a careful study of the Bible. This will help us acquire the knowledge that we need in order to do what God has call us to do. Jesus said,

If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free (John 8:31–32).

R.C. Sproul writes in one daily devotional that,

Our Lord calls for a continued application of the mind to His Word. A disciple does not dabble in learning. He makes the pursuit of an understanding of God’s Word a chief business of his life.

It is clear that Christians are to study God’s word to learn his revealed knowledge (wisdom and understanding can also be learned from Scripture, too). But are there other places to seek knowledge as well? I will answer that question in my next post.

© 2021 Institute for Faith, Work & Economics. All rights reserved. Printed from http://tifwe.org/how-to-be-productive-in-2014/. For reprint permissions, contact [email protected].

Wisdom: Definition, Synonyms, and Meaning

Updated August 21, 2020

Medically Reviewed By: Wendy Boring-Bray, DBH, LPC

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Wisdom sometimes seems to be a rare commodity. It’s easy to increase your knowledge or learning, after all: store up some knowledge, gather up book smarts through research, word games, and higher education, and learn how to effectively study and apply your knowledge. Wisdom, though, is different: you have to think more deeply to become wise. The first step in increasing wisdom—or gaining any at all—is to have a clear definition of what wisdom means to you, and what it means to you. In other words, you must have a clear definition of what wisdom actually means, and why it is important to you to develop it.

A Simple Wisdom Definition

Wisdom is a complex thing, but you can begin to get the idea of what it is with a simple definition of wisdom. You can define wisdom as the quality of being able to use experience, knowledge, and good judgment together to live well.

Synonyms for Wisdom

One way to approach the question of “what is wisdom” is to take a look at some wisdom synonyms. Here are several synonyms for wisdom to consider:

Acumen

Acumen is a wisdom synonym that only describes one aspect of wisdom. Having acumen means having the quality of being able to quickly perceive and discern information in your environment. You may have business acumen, for example, if you see business opportunities or challenges quickly and have an immediate understanding of a given situation.

Caution

Caution can be a synonym for wisdom, but only in some cases. If you’re cautious, you pay careful attention to the probable effects of what you’re doing. Caution is important if your goal is to avoid danger, failure, or harm. However, sometimes the wisest thing you can do is take a risk. Even so, a wise person would identify the risk and prepare himself for the possibility of danger, failure, or catastrophe.

Common Sense

Some people use common sense as a substitute for wisdom. Others feel that it falls short of the higher understanding that’s associated with wisdom. If you’re using common sense, you have a sensible, practical understanding of a thing, person, or situation that can guide you in making ordinary decisions.

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Experience

Experience is a strong component of wisdom. Perhaps that’s why it’s easier for someone who is old to be wise than it is for someone younger. Experience is all the things you’ve been through in your life. Experience can come from formal learning, hands-on training, or simply by living your life. It only becomes wisdom when you learn from what’s happened and understand how to apply it to what’s happening now.

Foresight

Someone who is truly wise is able to see potential problems and outcomes and prepare for them before they happen. Foresight can keep you from making mistakes. However, it’s important to understand that foresight isn’t the same thing as worrying. If you have foresight, you simply identify and acknowledge what could happen and do what is needed to prepare for it. Worrying, conversely, is identifying a potential problem, and almost obsessively going over it and trying to control the outcome. Wisdom and worrying are not synonymous.

Intelligence

Intelligence is very similar to wisdom. If you’re intelligent, you’re able to understand principles, facts, meanings, and truths. You can also apply what you know in real life. You can comprehend subjects you study and learn them well. You need intelligence to have the highest wisdom, and in fact, if you’re truly intelligent, you see the truth of situations as a wise person does.

Judgment

Wisdom is also the ability to make sound judgments. When you’re wise, you can judge things, people, and situations correctly, justly, and intelligently. Often, people think of judging as a bad thing. That might be true if you’re judging someone for no helpful purpose; however, you need to have good judgment to make the right choices in your life. Judgment helps people make sound financial decisions, accurately evaluate relationships, and pursue their passions.

Prudence

Prudence is a word that isn’t used much anymore, but it’s a good wisdom synonym. It means the quality of being wisely cautious. When you’re prudent, you’re careful. You show superior discretion. You may also be frugal, because you understand the need to be prepared to meet future needs. Most commonly used in the phrase “It would be prudent to…” prudence demonstrates the ability to anticipate different possibilities and pursue a course of action that will lead to the best possible outcome—even if that course of action is to abstain from something or remain silent.

Balance

There’s a sense in which wisdom is equal to balance. Its components are problem-solving, understanding context, ethical behavior, tolerance, and empathy. To have real wisdom, you need all of these components, but you need to have all of them in abundance. You need to balance your ability to solve problems with your ability to tolerate what can’t be changed, for instance.

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Enlightenment

When you reach enlightenment on a subject, you’ve achieved complete clarity in the way you perceive the subject. Your extensive knowledge combined with your sound reasoning makes wise understanding and decisions possible.

Reason

Your reason is your rationality. It includes your conceptions of things, people, and situations, as well as your judgments about them and your intuition about them. To be wise, you must have good reason, or rationality. Only then can you make the right decisions and live the good life that come with true wisdom.

Clear Thinking

Wisdom can also be seen as clear thinking. If you’re wise, you don’t get sidetracked by irrelevant things. You see the problem or situation as it is, apart from any emotional baggage you might have. You pay attention to what matters when you’re trying to discern the truth of any situation.

What Is the Deeper Meaning of Wisdom?

So, what does wisdom mean beyond its simple definition and synonyms? The deeper meaning of wisdom is the ability to distinguish what is wise from what is unwise. When you’re wise, you use knowledge with insight. Knowledge is utilized only after you truly understand what you have learned, and are better able to apply it to current situations and new situations you encounter down the road.

Wisdom isn’t just an academic ability. You have to put it into practice for it to be worthwhile. If you’re wise, you combine your knowledge, experience, and intuitive understanding to make the right decisions. You know what it takes to live well, and you’re successful in living well. You practice ethical behavior, empathy, and tolerance of life’s uncertainties and differences. When you’re wise, you not only have a better life, but you also make the world a better place for others.

How to Develop Wisdom

It doesn’t matter how you define wisdom if you don’t seek to have it in your life. The true meaning of wisdom won’t help you, unless you develop your own wisdom and learn to recognize it in others. The best way to become wise is to intentionally cultivate your wisdom. If you want to have wisdom, there are a few things you can do over the course of your lifetime to become wiser. The ways to effectively build wisdom include:

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Seek Knowledge

Knowledge forms the basis of wisdom. Fortunately, knowledge is relatively easy to gain. You can get it from reading extensively, taking courses on subjects that interest you, working at a job, or even by watching instructional YouTube videos. You can also learn from the people you know who have knowledge about various subjects or who possess a lot of life experience.

Practice Reflection, Not Rumination

Reflecting on what happens to you can increase your wisdom over time. When you reflect on something, you think of it in a nonjudgmental way, pondering it from different perspectives, and trying to see it as clearly as possible. This is a great start for wisdom; wisdom is not merely thought. It is also action. In wisdom, “action” is the word of the day.

Thinking seriously and carefully about your experiences is not the same as ruminating. When you’re reflecting, you’re considering what has happened to you. You go through many different ideas. Reflection is neutral or even positive.

Rumination, on the other hand, is going over the same ground over and over, not gaining any new insights or even considering different ways of understanding. Rumination doesn’t increase your wisdom; instead, it’s more likely to cause you depression, anxiety, or anger.

Experience Life

Fear can keep you from going out and gaining experience in life. Disinterest may also keep you from seeking new experiences. To gain wisdom, though, you need to have experiences to build it on. So, take a chance. Try something new. Go to a new place and meet new people. When you do, you’ll gain perspective, insight, and experience that are so necessary for developing wisdom. Wisdom cannot develop without some degree of personal experience.

Choose the Right Guide

Nearly all of the great thinkers in history have had guides or mentors to learn from in their lives. A mentor can help you explore questions you didn’t even realize you had. They can provide insight into life that you haven’t had the opportunity to gain through your own experiences. Find someone who fits a sound wisdom definition. Then, seek to spend time with them and take in what they can teach you related to wisdom.

Some people are disheartened when they learn the meaning of wisdom. They feel that they can never be wise, because they’re not smart enough or they feel they’re too emotional to see clearly. However, everyone can reach their own highest level of wisdom. To do that, they may need help to overcome problems with cognitive and emotional problems.

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If you need help with your thinking and emotions, you can benefit from talking to a mental health counselor. You can talk to a licensed counselor at BetterHelp.com for online therapy on your schedule. Your therapist can help you learn techniques for changing unhelpful thoughts. They can help you practice positive reflection rather than depressing rumination.

When you take care of the problems that are holding you back from becoming wise, that in itself is a wise decision. From there, you can improve your thinking, increase your ability to make the right decisions for you, and live a happier, more fulfilling life!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

What is the definition of wisdom in the Bible?

In the bible, the wisdom of Solomon is often pointed to as the epitome of wisdom. King Solomon, wisdom, and proverbs are all frequently and inextricably tied to current (and even historic) notions of wisdom, much like other religious or philosophical traditions might rely upon the writings of Rumi or Aristotle. Although Solomon is typically the archetype of wisdom in the bible, the bible itself says, “The Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,” in Proverbs 9:10. If this verse is to be believed, a robust respect for God’s law is the ultimate source of wisdom. While definitions for wisdom—wisdom in the bible, that is—may seem to focus entirely on a fear of God, there are actually a large number of verses relating to wisdom, many of them aligning wisdom and traits. These traits often include humility, compassion, justice, experience, and age.

What is the real meaning of wisdom?

The word “wisdom” has a great deal of attention tied to it. Wisdom is certainly present in secular thought, but seems to have a more significant or wieldy tie to religious and philosophical thought processes. Although wisdom and knowledge might be used interchangeably, the two are actually different: knowledge is achieved through amassing facts and information, while wisdom is achieved via the ability to effectively apply what you have learned. The meaning of wisdom relies far less on simple data or the compilation of facts and more on the ability to look ahead, have compassion for others, and demonstrate self-awareness. Knowledge often grows inflated or prompts a false sense of security, while wisdom recognizes that there is always more to learn, and there is always space for mistakes and improvement. In this respect, the word of the day for wisdom is actually “humility,” as humility allows you to acknowledge that you do not know everything, and are not impervious to mistakes or failures.

What is wisdom example?

Although the word “wisdom” is derived from an old or middle English word, it is far from antiquated, and there are many examples still going on today that accurately exemplify wisdom. One of the most common examples of wisdom is the ability to admit that you’re wrong. On the heels of a heated argument, stepping forward and saying “I was wrong,” is an example of wisdom; you have the humility, self-awareness, and understanding required to recognize that you are in the wrong, and it is your responsibility to make amends. Self-restraint is also often a sign of wisdom. If you desperately want an item, for instance, but know that your budget will not allow it, knowledge alone will not keep you from purchasing the item, anyway. Wisdom is the trait that allows you to say, “This does not benefit me right now, and is not feasible for my situation.” These two examples are important to view in conjunction with one another; in some cases, wisdom means stepping forward, while in others, wisdom means holding back.

What is the difference between knowledge and wisdom?

While a word finder might consider “knowledge” and “wisdom” happy bedfellows (or at least similar enough to warrant a link), knowledge and wisdom are actually two different things—though it is true that they often intertwine. Wisdom, for instance, rarely exists without a decent amount of knowledge—though it is certainly possible, as young children are often found offering sage little snippets of information without an objectively substantial array of knowledge. Knowledge, conversely, can certainly exist without even an iota of wisdom. Knowledge is the term used to describe a wide array of facts and information. Wisdom, however, is the term used to describe the ability to apply knowledge in a way that is useful, considerate, and respectful of oneself and others.

Does God give us wisdom?

Perhaps the most significant verse on wisdom in the bible is the verse in James that tells readers precisely how to secure wisdom. While it may seem an ever-elusive thing to possess, the bible actually says that wisdom is a gift, and is given to those who ask for it. Solomon is typically associated with wisdom the most of all biblical figures, and Proverbs is an oft-quoted book of the bible with regard to wisdom and healthy, productive, intentional living. It is in James, however, that biblical authors identify that God will give wisdom freely, to those who come to God in search of it. A literal reading of this verse means that the answer to this question is yes: God does give wisdom to those who ask for it.

What is the best definition of wisdom?

An unabridged dictionary definition of wisdom is this: “the quality of having experience, knowledge, and good judgment”; “the soundness of an action or decision with regard to the application of experience, knowledge, and good judgment”; and “the body of knowledge and principles that develops within a specified society or period.” These three definitions of wisdom are useful altogether, as each one signifies something different about what it means to be wise. These English dictionary definitions all point to one thing about wisdom: it is both knowledge and action. The best definition of wisdom, then, is being able to both comprehend information, and know what to do with the knowledge that has been attained.

Is wisdom a gift?

If the bible and other religious texts are to be believed, wisdom is a gift bestowed upon people who are willing to seek it or worthy to behold it. Apart from religious texts, however, wisdom is not considered a gift, but something that can be hard won and that often naturally comes with age or experience. Secularly, wisdom typically includes sound decision-making, the ability to keep a steady hand and clear head, and a continual dedication to understanding and justice. In these respects, wisdom is not a gift at all, but is instead a slow and steady series of accomplishments that must be undertaken and again and again throughout a person’s life. Rather than a gift, wisdom is a prize, as a quick round of “browse the dictionary” can attest; wisdom is the prize won for a continual investment in furthering knowledge and understanding, rather than a gift simply given to someone without any interest or effort on their part.

How do we get wisdom from God?

According to the author of James—more specifically, James 1:5—getting wisdom from God is as simple as asking for it. Although this may seem far too simplistic—after all, the proverbial word of the day in Judeo-Christian theology (and perhaps all theology) is “wisdom”—the author of James goes on to explain his reasoning. James 1:5-8 reads “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given to him. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.” In these verses, the author suggests that wisdom comes from faith. Wisdom, then, is given to those who have faith in God.

How do you get wisdom?

You do not merely “get” wisdom; instead, wisdom is gained through a continued devotion to learning and improving. Wisdom involves gaining knowledge, experience, and self-awareness, all of which require effort and intention. Getting wisdom, then, is accomplished by intentionally seeking knowledge, actively applying that knowledge to whatever transpires in your life, and making amends and changes where necessary. Getting wisdom is so frequently associated with age and experience because it is difficult to adequately secure the knowledge and understanding necessary to find wisdom without plenty of time under your belt.

What comes first wisdom or knowledge?

Knowledge is typically considered the precursor to wisdom. Wise “words of the day” on calendars, from company newsletters, and self-help tomes written by CEOs and other self-made individuals often come from learned scholars, researchers, and philosophers, all of whom extensively evaluate the human condition in order to determine how best to behave, how best to interact with others, and how best to live their lives. These people are most commonly relied upon as sources of wisdom because they have a significant base of knowledge. Whether it is in the realm of physics, theology, or the study of human behavior as a whole, knowledge is an essential step in developing wisdom.

Can you have wisdom without knowledge?

Although wisdom and knowledge are often considered synonymous—and antonyms for wisdom certainly do not include knowledge, wisdom may exist without knowledge, if it is rare. Children are most often the sources of wisdom without a wide breadth of knowledge; children often get to the heart of a situation and offer advice without realizing the power or profundity of their words. Even though this does happen on occasion, children are not reliable sources of wisdom. Apart from the occasional gems of children, wisdom without knowledge is rare. Knowledge more often forms the basis for wisdom. Knowledge of numerous world wars, for instance, could help someone develop the wisdom necessary to avoid the classic pitfalls that lead to war. Knowledge of common relationship struggles can lead an individual to work on traits that most often precede relational ire. Knowledge, then, is typically the bedrock upon which wisdom sits.

What is the beginning of wisdom?

Wisdom is often the word of the day—even the word of the year—when it comes to making rational, useful, adult decisions. Learning where to start on the path toward wisdom, though, is often difficult; where do you start? Is there a “word of the day” quiz that can let you know how much wisdom you already have, and how to find more? The beginning of wisdom has been called many things: knowledge is one of them, the fear of the Lord is another. Ultimately, though, the beginning of wisdom is self-awareness. If you are not self-aware enough to recognize your own pitfalls and failings, you will not be able to seek the knowledge and experiences necessary to develop wisdom.

Wisdom of God | Word of Truth Bible Church

Here is our God! -7

Wisdom of God

Isaiah 46: 9-11; 40: 13-15

Isaiah 40:18 “So to whom will you liken God? And what likeness will you find Him? ”

Rom. 11:33 “Oh, the abyss of the wealth and wisdom and knowledge of God! How incomprehensible are His judgments and past tracing His ways! ”

I. Definition of God’s Wisdom

Is.46: 9-11 “(9) remember the former, from the [beginning of] the age, for I am God, and there is no other God, and there is none like Me. (10) I proclaim from the beginning what will be in the end, and from ancient times what has not yet happened, I say: My counsel will take place, and whatever I please, I will do ”

Isa. 46:11 “I called an eagle from the east, from a distant country, the executor of my determination. I said, and I will carry it out; I have planned, and I will do ”

Is.37: 26 “Did you not hear that I did this long ago, in the ancient days I ordained it, and now I have done it by the fact that you lay waste to strong cities, [turning] them into heaps of ruins?”

Is.10: 12,13 “(12) And it will come to pass, when the Lord has done all His work on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem, He will say: I will look at the success of the haughty heart of the king of Assyria and at the vanity of his lifted up eyes. (13) He says: “ by the power of my hand and by my wisdom I have done this, because I am clever …”

The wisdom of God means that God always chooses the best goals and the best means to achieve these goals .

Prov. 2: 1-6 “(1) My son! if you accept my words and keep my commandments with you, (2) so that you make your ear attentive to wisdom and incline your heart to meditation; (3) if you invoke knowledge and invoke reason; (4) if you seek it like silver and seek it out like treasure, (5) you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.6For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth – knowledge and understanding “

Isaiah 40:18 “So to whom will you liken God? And what likeness will you find Him? ”

II. Expression of God’s Wisdom

A. In creation

Is.45: 12 “I created the earth and created man on it; I – My hands stretched out the heavens, and I gave the law to all their host ”

Psalm 103:24 “How many are Thy works, O Lord! You have done everything wisely ; the earth is full of thy works ”

B.Rescued

1Cor.1: 22-24 “(22) For both the Jews demand miracles, and the Greeks seek wisdom; (23) but we preach Christ crucified, for the Jews a temptation, but for the Greeks folly, (24) for the very called ones, Jews and Greeks, Christ, God’s power and God’s wisdom “

Ephesians 3: 10,11 “(10) so that nowadays the many different wisdom of God may become known through the Church to principalities and authorities in heaven , (11) according to the eternal determination which He fulfilled in Christ Jesus our Lord”

C.In practical life

Rom.8: 28-30 “(28) Moreover, we know that to those who love God, called according to [His] will, everything works together for good . (29) For whom he foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. (30) Those whom he predestined, them he also called, and whom he called, them he also justified; and whom he justified, those he also glorified ”

III. The character of God’s wisdom

A. God’s wisdom is incomprehensible

Is.40:13 “Who knew the spirit of the Lord, and was an adviser with Him and taught Him?”

Rom.11: 33,34 “(33) Oh, the abyss of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How incomprehensible are His judgments and past tracing His ways! (34) For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who was his advisor? ”

1 Cor. 1: 20.21 “(20) Where is the wise man? where is the scribe? where is the co-questioner of this age? Hasn’t God turned the wisdom of this world into madness? (21) For when the world [its] wisdom did not know God in the wisdom of God , then it was pleasing to God to save the believers by the foolishness of preaching ”

1 Cor.1: 22-24 “(22) For both the Jews demand miracles, and the Greeks seek wisdom; (23) but we preach Christ crucified, a temptation for the Jews, and madness for the Greeks , (24) for the very called ones, Jews and Greeks, Christ, God’s power and God’s wisdom “

Ephesians 3: 10 “so that now it may be made known through the Church to principalities and authorities in heaven the many different wisdom of God ”

B. God’s wisdom is perfect

Is.40:23 “He turns princes into nothing, makes the judges of the earth something empty”

Is. 45: 5-7 “(5) I am the Lord, and there is no other; there is no God besides Me; I girded you, although you did not know Me, (6) so that you may know from the rising of the sun and from the west that there is no besides Me; I am the Lord, and there is no other. (7) I form light and create darkness, make peace and create calamities; I, Lord, do it all “

Lamentations 3: 37,38 “(37) Who says this:“ and it happens that the Lord did not command to be ”? (38) Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that disaster and prosperity come?

C.God’s wisdom is eternal

Isa. 46:10 “I proclaim from the beginning what will be in the end, and from ancient times what has not yet been done, I say: My counsel will take place, and whatever I please, I will do”

Ephesians 1: 4 “because He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we might be holy and blameless before Him in love”

1Peter 1: 18-20 “(18) knowing that you were not redeemed by corruptible silver or gold from the vain life given to you from the fathers, (19) but by the precious Blood of Christ as pure and pure Lamb, ( 20) intended even before the creation of the world , but appeared in the last times for you “

Ep.1: 5,6 “(5) predestinating to adopt us to Himself through Jesus Christ, according to His will, (6) to the praise of the glory of His grace , with which He blessed us in the Beloved”

D. God’s Wisdom – Sovereign

Is.40: 14,15 “(14) With whom does He consult, and who admonishes Him and instructs Him on the path of righteousness, and teaches Him knowledge, and shows Him the path of wisdom? (15) These nations are like a drop from a bucket, and they are counted like a speck of dust on the scales. Here, He raises the islands like a powder. ”

Rome.11: 33-36 “(33) Oh, the abyss of the wealth and wisdom and knowledge of God! How incomprehensible are His judgments and past tracing His ways! (34) For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who was his advisor ? (35) Or who gave to Him in advance so that He should repay ? (36) For all are of him, by him, and to him. Glory to Him forever, amen. “

Rom.9: 17-21 “(17) For the Scripture says to Pharaoh: for this very same I have appointed you to show my power over you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.(18) So he has mercy on whomever he wants; and whomever he wants, he hardens. (19) You will say to me: “What else does he accuse? For who can resist His will? ” (20) And who are you, man, that you argue with God? The product will say to the one who made it: “Why did you do me this way?” (21) Does not the potter have authority over the clay to make one vessel from the same mixture for the honorable [use], and another for the low? ”

E. God’s wisdom is effective

Is.14: 24 “The Lord of hosts says with an oath: as I have thought, so it will be; as I have determined, so it will take place ”

Is.14:27 “For the Lord of hosts has determined, and who can cancel it? His hand is stretched out – and who will turn it away? ”

Rom.8: 28 “Moreover, we know that to those who love God, called according to [His] will, everything works together for good ”

90,000 What is the essence of the spiritual gifts of the word of wisdom and the word of knowledge?

Answer

There are three lists of spiritual gifts in Scripture (Romans 12: 6-8; 1 Corinthians 12: 4-11 and 1 Corinthians 12:28), but only one of them mentions gifts called the word of wisdom and the word of knowledge (1 Corinthians 12: 8).There is a lot of confusion as to what exactly these two gifts are. Perhaps a better way would be to describe what they are not .

Some Christians in the Charismatic and Pentecostal churches believe that through the spiritual gifts of the word of knowledge and the word of wisdom, the Holy Spirit speaks through one believer to another, giving revelation about a decision or situation. They often say, “I have a word for you from the Lord.” In doing so, they claim to speak in God’s name and insist that their words be strictly observed.

This understanding of the gifts of the word of knowledge and the word of wisdom comes dangerously close to denying the doctrine of the sufficiency of Scripture. If the Lord continues to reveal His will and wisdom through special revelation to individuals, can His Word truly be considered sufficient for “God’s man to be perfect, prepared for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:17)? Has the Lord really given us everything we need to live and be godly (2 Peter 1: 3) if we expect to receive His special revelation from others? This is not to say that He never uses other people to reach out to us, but if we depend on direct messages from God through other people to lead our lives, is the Bible really enough as it claims to be?

So if the word of wisdom and the word of knowledge are not gifts of prophecy / revelation, what are they? We know one thing for sure: these gifts were given by the Spirit for the building up of the Body of Christ – “to each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the benefit of” (1 Corinthians 12: 7).The chaos that so often reigns in churches that take the word of knowledge and the word of wisdom as gifts of revelation is clearly not helpful. Vague, vague, and sometimes contradictory “words from the Lord” do not come from Him, because He is not the God of disorder or disorder (1 Corinthians 14:33). Nor do they unite Christians for their edification; on the contrary, it tends to cause division and discord. Often the gifts of the word of knowledge and / or the word of wisdom are used to gain power over others, making them dependent on whoever claims to have these gifts.Obviously, this misuse of these gifts does not come from the Lord.

In view of the above, we propose the following definitions for the spiritual gifts of the word of knowledge and the word of wisdom:

Word of Wisdom: The fact that this gift is described as a “word” of wisdom means that it is one of the “verbal” gifts. This gift describes a person who can understand and proclaim Bible truth in such a way that it can be applied wisely to situations in life.

The word of knowledge is also a verbal gift that implies an understanding of the truth that comes only from God’s revelation. Those with the gift of knowledge understand deep secrets about the Lord and His Word.

English

God Bible History: Two Kinds of Wisdom

Stephen – Acts 6: 8-10 “ A
Stephen, full of faith and power, performed great signs and wonders among the people.
Some of the so-called synagogue of the Libertines and Cyrene and Alexandrians
and some of Cilicia and Asia entered into a dispute with Stephen; but could not
confront wisdom and the Spirit He spoke “.

III. HOW TO FIND OUT WHETHER A MAN IS WISE OR NOT?

1. The wisdom of a person is manifested in his daily life …
A. True wisdom lies in God-fearing living and
humility:
James 3: 13-17 “ Is any of you wise and wise, prove it on
really good behavior with wise meekness “.
2 Peter 1: 5-9 ” … then you, making every effort to this, show in
faith in your virtue, in virtue, prudence, in prudence
temperance, temperance, patience, patience piety, piety
brotherly love, love in brotherly love.If this is in you and multiplies, then you are not
you will be left without success and fruit in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. And in whom
no, he is blind, closed his eyes, forgot about the cleansing of his former sins ”

B. True wisdom lies in keeping the commandments
God:
Deuteronomy 4: 5-6 “ Behold, I have taught you statutes and laws,
as the Lord my God commanded me, that you should do so in the land in which
you enter to master it; so keep and fulfill them, for in this
your wisdom and your understanding are before the eyes of the nations, who, having heard of all these
decisions, they will say: only this great people is a wise and reasonable people “.
Matthew 7: 24-26 “ So everyone who hears these words of mine and
fulfills them, I will liken a wise man who built his house on a rock;
and the rain fell, and the rivers overflowed, and the winds blew, and rushed on that house, and he
did not fall because it was founded on stone. And everyone who hears these words of mine and
does not fulfill them, will be like a foolish man who built his house
on the sand “.

C. True wisdom is distance from evil and
walking in the ways of God: Hosea 14:10 “ Who is wise to understand
This? who is intelligent to know this? For the ways of the Lord are right, and the righteous
walk on them, and the wicked will fall on them “, Proverbs 2: 20-21
“ Therefore, walk in the way of the good and follow the paths of the righteous, because
the righteous will dwell on the earth, and the blameless will abide in it; and the lawless
will be destroyed from the earth, and the treacherous will be rooted out of it “. Proverbs
3: 7 “ Do not be wise in your eyes; fear the Lord and
evil: it will be health for your body and nourishment for your bones “. Proverbs
14:16 “ The wise fears God and moves away from evil , but the stupid
irritable and presumptuous “.

2. True wisdom is a gift from God:
A. God is the only source of wisdom: Daniel 2:21
“ … For He has wisdom and strength; He changes seasons and years,
kings and supplies kings; gives wisdom to the wise and understanding to the reasonable “.
B. Whoever lacks wisdom, let him ask God ( Jacob
1: 5 “ But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God,
giving to all simply and without reproach, – and it will be given to him “; Proverbs 2: 3-6
“ If you call upon knowledge and call upon reason; if you seek
him like silver, and seek him out like a treasure, then you will understand fear
Lord and you will find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth –
knowledge and reason . “ Solomon asked God for wisdom, and God gave him
– 1 Kings 3: 11-12 “ And God said to him, because you asked this
and did not ask for a long life, did not ask for riches, did not ask for a soul
your enemies, but I asked myself reason to be able to judge – behold, I will do according to
to your word: behold, I give you a heart of wisdom and a reasonable one, so that
there was no one like you before you, and after you no one like you will arise “. Ecclesiastes 2:26 “For to a man who is good in His presence, He gives
wisdom and knowledge and joy “, Colossians 1: 9 ” Therefore,
the day we heard about this, we do not stop praying for you and asking that you
were filled with the knowledge of His will, in all wisdom and spiritual understanding “.

Q. God’s wisdom is revealed to us by the Spirit of God ( 1
Corinthians 2:10 “ And God revealed this to us by His Spirit “, 1
Corinthians 12: 8 “ To one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom, to another the word
knowledge by the same Spirit “).Holy Spirit – Spirit of Wisdom: Ephesians 1:17
“ … that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, give you the Spirit
wisdom and revelation to the knowledge of Him “, Isaiah 11: 2 ” … and
the Spirit of the Lord rests on him, the spirit of wisdom and of the mind , the spirit of advice
and fortress, spirit of knowledge and piety “.

G. Jesus Christ – God’s wisdom : 1 Corinthians
1:30 “ From Him you also are in Christ Jesus, Who was made for us
wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption “, Colossians
2: 3 “… in Which are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge “.

3. Where does wisdom begin? – Proverbs 1: 7
“ The beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord; fools only despise wisdom and
exhortation “, Proverbs 9:10 ” The beginning of wisdom is fear
The Lord, and the knowledge of the Holy is the mind “, Psalms 110: 10 ” Beginning
wisdom – the fear of the Lord; faithful mind for all who keep His commandments “.

4. Knowledge puffs up … Knowledge in itself is not wisdom
is – 1Corinthians 8: 1b “ Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies “.

5. God’s unwise is wiser than human wisdom! 1
Corinthians 1:25 “ Because the unwise God is wiser than men, and
the weakness of God is stronger than men “.

6.
those who are being saved are the wisdom and power of God. – 1 Corinthians 1:24 “ For
the word about the cross is foolishness for those who are perishing, but for us, who are being saved, it is the power of God.

IV. CONSEQUENCES …

1.The consequences of accepting the wisdom of God: 90,017 90,000 JUDGMENTS OF SOLOMON

JUDGMENTS OF SOLOMON

COURTS OF SOLOMON

(translated by G.
M. Prokhorov)

(…) And at that time Solomon made a great feast for his people. Then they appeared before
two harlot women were king, and one woman said, I am in trouble, my lord. Me and
this friend of mine we live in the same house in which both were born.I have
a son was born. And on the third day after I gave birth, and this woman gave birth
son; we only live together, and no one is with us in our house. This night
the woman’s son died because she slept on him. And so, getting up in the middle of the night, she
took my boy from my hand and put him to sleep on her bed, and her
she put the dead boy to me. I got up in the morning to feed the baby and found him
dead. Then I figured out that this was not my son, whom I gave birth to. And the other
the woman said: No, my son is alive, and it is yours who died.And they argued before
king.

And the king said to them: So you say this: This is my son alive, and her dead,
and she says: No, mine is alive, and yours is dead. And the king said to the servants: Cut
this living boy in half and give half of it to this, and half to that. AND
dead, too, having cut it, give half of it to this, and half to that.

And the woman, whose son was alive, answered, for her soul was in confusion because of
her son, and said: Let me be in trouble, my lord. Give it to her
boy, don’t kill him.And the other woman said: Let it not be for me,
neither to her! Cut it in two. The king replied: Give the child back alive
to the woman who said: Give it to her, and do not kill him. Give it to her for she
his mother.

Israel heard of this judgment, by which the king was judging, and all the faces of the king were afraid,
for they understood that he was given the meaning of God to do judgment and righteousness.

<0 PHARAOH HELP>

Solomon married Pharaoh’s daughter when he was building the Holy of Holies.And he sent
his ambassador to him with the words: My father-in-law! Send me help. And he chose
six hundred people, having learned through astrology that they are going to die that year,
wanted to test the wisdom of Solomon. When they were brought to Solomon, he saw them
from afar and commanded to sew shrouds for all of them. He assigned his ambassador to them and
sent to Pharaoh, saying: My father-in-law! If you have nothing to bury your own
dead, so here are your robes. Bury them at your place.

THE STORY OF HOW THE KITOVRAS SOLOMON WAS TAKEN

When Solomon was building the Holy of Holies, he needed to ask Kitovras a question.They told him where he lived, they said in the distant desert. Then the wise Solomon
conceived to forge an iron chain and an iron hoop, and on it he wrote a spell with the name
godly. And he sent the first of his boyars with servants, and ordered them to carry wine and honey, and
took sheep skins with them. They came to Kitovras’ dwelling, to his three wells, but not
it was there. And at the direction of Solomon they poured wine and honey into those wells, and from above
covered the well with sheep skins. Wine was poured into two wells, and honey into the third.
Themselves, hiding, watched from the hiding place when he came to drink water to the wells.And soon he came, ducked to the water, began to drink and said: Everyone who drinks wine,
wiser is not done. But he didn’t want to drink water, and he said: You are wine,
a heart rejoicing people, and drank all three wells. And I wanted to sleep a little, and
took apart his wine, and he fell asleep soundly. The boyar, coming up, tightly bound him in
neck, arms and legs. And, waking up, he wanted to rush. And the boyar to him
said: Sir, Solomon wrote the name of the Lord with a spell on the chains that
now on you. But when he saw them on him, he meekly went to Jerusalem to the king.

His temper was like that. He did not walk the crooked path, but only the straight one. And when
came to Jerusalem, cleared the way for him and destroyed houses, for he did not go to
bypass. And they went to the widow’s house, and, running out, the widow cried out, beseeching Kitovras:
Sir, I am a poor widow. Do not hurt me! He bent over a corner, not
stepping out of the way, and broke his rib. And he said: A soft tongue breaks a bone.
When they led him through the bargaining, then, hearing one man say:
shoes for seven years? Kitovras laughed.And seeing another person
bewitching, laughed. And he saw the wedding being celebrated, he cried. Seeing on the way
a man wandering without a road, he directed him to the road. And they brought him to
courtyard of the tsars.

On the first day they did not take him to Solomon. And Kitovras said: Why does not he call me
to yourself the king? They said to him: Yesterday he had drunk Kitovras, but he took a stone and laid it
on another stone. Solomon was told what Kitovras had done. And the king said:
Tells me to drink drink after drink. And the next day the king did not call him to him.AND
Kitovras asked: Why don’t you take me to the king and why can’t I see his face? AND
They said: The king is not feeling well, because yesterday he ate a lot. Then Kntovras took off
stone from stone.

On the third day they said: The king is calling you. He also measured the rod at four cubits,
went to the king, bowed and silently threw the cane before the king. The king in wisdom
he explained to his boyars what a rod means, and told: God gave you
possession of the universe, and you are not satiated, caught me too. And Solomon said to him: Do not
I brought you on a whim, but to ask how to build the Holy of Holies.I brought you by the command of the Lord, since it is not allowed for me to hew stones
iron.

And Kitovras said: There is a small cocotte bird named Shamir. Children of the same cocotte
leaves in his nest on a stone mountain in the distant desert. Solomon sent
his boyar with his servants, at the direction of Kitovras, to the nest. Kitovras
gave the boyar a transparent glass and ordered him to hide at the nest: When it flies
cocotte, cover the nest with this glass. The boyarin went to the nest; and there are chicks in it
small, the cocotte flew away for food, and he covered the mouth of the nest with glass.They waited a little, and the cocotte flew in, wanted to climb into the nest. Chicks squeak
through the glass, but he cannot get to them. Then he took what he kept on
in a certain place, and brought it to the nest, and put it on the glass, although it was seated. Then
people shouted and he released it. And, taking, the boyar brought it to Solomon.

Then Solomon asked Kitovras: Why did you laugh when the man asked
boots for seven years? I saw it, Kitovras replied that he would not live and
seven days. The king sent to check, and it turned out so.And Solomon asked: Why
did you laugh when the man was spellbound? Kitovras answered: He told people about
secretly, but he himself did not know that there was a treasure with gold under it. And Solomon said: Go
and check. Checked, and it turned out so. And the king asked: Why did he weep when he saw
wedding? Kitovras replied: We were saddened that the bridegroom would not live and
thirty days. Checked out by the king, and
it turned out so. And the king asked: Why did you bring the drunken man out to the road? Replied
Kitovras: I heard from heaven that that man is virtuous and follows him
serve.

Kitovras stayed with Solomon until the completion of the Holy of Holies. Solomon once said
Kitovrasu: Now I saw that your strength is like a human, and no more
our strength, but the same. And Kitovras said to him: King, if you want to see,
what strength I have, take off my chains and give me your ring from my hand; then
you will see my strength. Solomon removed the iron chain from him and gave him a ring. BUT
he swallowed the ring, stretched out his wing, swung it, and struck Solomon, and
threw him to the ends of the promised land.The sages and scribes learned about this and
tracked down Solomon.

Always gripped Solomon fear of Kitovras at night. And the king made a bed and
ordered sixty strong youths to stand around with swords. That is why it is said in
Scriptures: Solomon’s Bed, Sixty Brave Young Men From Israelites And From Countries
northern.

O
KITOVRACE FROM PALEIA

Whale is a fast beast. Wise Solomon caught him with a trick. Stan at
it is human, and the legs are cow.The fable says that he carried his wife in his ear. Here
by what trick did they catch him. His wife said to the young man, her lover,
so: He goes around many lands day and night and comes to a certain place, on
which has two wells. And he, getting hot, drinks both those wells. Solomon is
ordered to pour wine into one of them, and honey in the other. Kitovras are both wells,
galloping up, drank. Then they caught him, drunk, asleep, and fettered him tightly, for
the strength in him was great. And they brought him to King Solomon. The king asked him: What
the most beautiful thing in this world? He replied: Best of all, one’s own will.AND,
rushing, he broke everything and galloped at his will.

<0 TWO-HEADED HUSBAND AND HIS CHILDREN>

Kitovras, on his way to his people, presented Solomon with a man with two heads.
That man got accustomed to Solomon. Solomon asked him: What kind of people are you? You
human or demon? The man answered: I am one of the people living underground. And asked
his king: Do you have a sun and a moon? He said: From your west the sun
ascends to us, and sets in your east.So when you have a day, then have
us night. And when you have night, then we have day. And the king gave him a wife. And were born
he has two sons: one with two heads and the other with one. And their father had many
of good. And their father died. The two-headed one said to his brother: Let’s divide the property over the heads.
And the younger brother said: There are two of us. Let’s divide the estate in half. And went to court to
the king. The one-headed man said to the king: We are two brothers. We must divide the property
in half. And the two-headed one said to the king: I have two heads, and I want to take
two shares.But the king, according to his wisdom, commanded the supply of vinegar and said: Are these
two heads from different bodies? I’m a glimpse of vinegar on one head: if the other doesn’t feel
head, you can take two lobes on two heads. And if you feel another head pouring
vinegar, so both of these heads are from the same body. Then you will take one share. And when
vinegar poured on one head, the other screamed. And the king said: Since you have one
body, take one share. So King Solomon judged them.

There was a foreign queen of the South named Malkatoshka.She came to experience
Solomon in riddles; she was very wise. And she brought him gifts: twenty
kapia of gold, a lot of potions and rotting wood. Solomon, having heard about
the arrival of the queen, sat down in a hall with a floor of transparent glass on a platform, wishing
test it. And she, seeing that the king was sitting in the water, picked up her clothes before
him. And he saw that she was beautiful in face, but her body was as hairy as a brush.
With this hair she bewitched the men who were with her. Solomon said
to your wise men: Prepare a bath and ointment with potion and anoint her body so that
hair fell out.And the wise men and scribes told him to get along with her. Conceiving
from him, she went to her land and bore a son, and that was Nebuchadnezzar.

That was her riddle to Solomon. She gathered boys and girls dressed in
identical clothes, and she said to the king: Disassemble according to your wisdom, which boys,
and which girls. The king, according to his wisdom, ordered to bear fruit, and poured them out
In front of them. Boys began to pick up their clothes in the hem, and girls in their sleeves. And said
Solomon: These are boys, and these are girls.Because of this, she marveled at him
tricks.

The next day she gathered together the circumcised and uncircumcised youths and said to Solomon:
Disassemble which are circumcised and which are uncircumcised. The king ordered the bishop
to make a holy crown, on which was written the word of the Lord, which Balaam was
turned away from sorcery. The circumcised youngsters rose, and the uncircumcised fell before
crown. She was very surprised at this.

The wise men asked her to the cunning of Solomon: We have a well far from the city.With your wisdom, guess how you can drag him into the city? The sly ones
The Solomonovs, realizing that this could not be, told them: Weave from bran
rope, and we will drag your well into the city.

AND
the wise men asked her again: If the cornfield grows with knives, how can you squeeze it?
They were told: Donkey’s horn. And her wise men said: Where is the donkey’s horns? They are
answered: And where will the beer give birth to knives?

They also asked: If the salt decays, how can you salt it? They said:
Taking the mule’s womb, it is necessary to salt it.And they said: Where is the mule giving birth? They are
answered: Where the salt rots.

But when the queen saw the mansion created, there was plenty of food, and how his people sat, and how
his servants stand, and their garments, and drink, and the sacrifices that they brought into the house
God, said: True is the speech that I have heard in my land about your wisdom.
And I did not have faith in speeches until I came and saw with my own eyes.
It turns out that half was not told to me. Good is your husbands who hear
your wisdom.

King Solomon gave this queen the name Malkatoshka and everything she asked for.And she
went to her land with her people.

<0 INHERITANCE OF THREE BROTHERS>

In the days of Solomon there was a man who had three sons. Dying, this man called
them to him and said to them: I have a treasure in the ground. In that place, said

three vessels are on top of each other. After my death, let the elder take the top one,
the middle is the middle, and the smaller is the bottom. After the death of his father, his sons discovered
this treasure in the presence of people. And it turned out that the upper vessel was full of gold, in
the middle one is full of bones, and the bottom one is full of earth.These brothers began to quarrel,
saying: You are the son, since you will take the gold, and we are not sons? And went to court to
Solomon. And Solomon judged them: what gold is to the elder, like cattle and servants
then the average, judging by the bones; but that of vineyards, cornfields, and grain, so to the least. AND
said to them: Your Father was an intelligent man and divided you during his lifetime.

<0 THREE TRAVELERS>

Once three people walked their own way, carrying gold in their belts. Stopping
for a rest in a deserted place, they consulted and decided: Let’s hide the gold in
hiding place: if the robbers attack, we will run away, and it will be saved.Digging
pit, they all put their belts in the hiding place. In the middle of the night, when two friends
fell asleep, the third, feeding an evil thought, got up and hid the belts in another place. AND
when they, having rested, came to the hiding place to take their belts, then, having found them,
they all cried out at once; the villain screamed much louder than the other two. AND
all returned home. And they said: Let’s go to Solomon and tell him about our
trouble. And they came to Solomon, and said: We do not know, king, whether the beast took it, or whether it was a bird.
or an angel. Explain to us, king.He, according to his wisdom, said to them: I will find you
tomorrow. But since you are travelers, I beg you: explain to me: A certain youth,
got engaged to a beautiful girl, gave her an engagement ring without her knowledge
father and mother. This young man went to another land and got married there. And the father gave
a girl to marry. And when the groom wanted to enter her, the girl screamed and said:
Out of shame, I did not tell my father that I was engaged to someone else. Fear god, go to
to my betrothed, ask him for permission: let me be your wife at the word
his.A young man gathered and, taking a lot of goods and a girl, went there, and he allowed
him: Let her be your wife, since you took her. The groom says to her:
Let’s go back and have the wedding again. And when they walked back on their way, they
a rapist met his people and captured him with both the girl and
good. And this robber wanted to create violence over the girl, and she screamed
and told the robber that she had gone to get permission and had not yet been with her husband
in the bed. The robber was surprised and said to her husband: Take your wife and go with your
good.And Solomon said: I told you about these girls and boys. Tell
now to me you, people who have lost their belts: who is better than a young man, or a girl,
or a robber? One replied: The girl is good, because she told about
his betrothal. Another said: The boy is good because he waited until
permissions. The third said: The robber is the best because he brought the girl back
and let go of himself. And the good did not have to be given. Then Solomon answered:
Friend, you are after someone else’s good. You took all the belts.The same said:
King-lord, indeed it is. I will not hide from you.

<0 WOMAN'S SENSE>

And then Solomon the Wise, wanting to experience the meaning of the female, the world, called the boyar
his name Dekir and said to him: I like you very much. And even more
I will love you if you fulfill my wish: kill your wife, and I will give for you
his best daughter. I told him the same thing a few days later. I didn’t want to
do it Dekir. And finally he said: I will do your will, king.The king gave him
your sword with the words: Cut off your wife’s head when she falls asleep, so as not to
she dissuaded you with her speeches. He went, found his wife asleep, and by
sides of her two children. And he looked at his wife and at his sleeping children,
He said in his heart: If I strike my friend with the sword in this way, I will grieve my children.
The king called him to him and asked him, saying: Have you done my will?
about your wife? He answered: I could not, my lord the king,
execute.

And the king sent him as an ambassador to another city, and calling his wife, he said to her:
I like you much more than all women.If you do what I command you
I will make you my queen. Kill your husband sleeping on the bed, and this is for you
sword. In response, the wife said: I am glad, king, that you command so. Solomon,
realizing with his wisdom her husband that he did not want to kill his wife, he gave him
the sword is sharp; and realizing his wife that she wanted to kill her husband, he gave her a sword
stupid, pretending to be sharp, saying: With this sword, slay your husband,
sleeping on your bed. She laid the sword on her husband’s chest and stood
drive it down his throat, thinking he is sharp.And he quickly jumped up, believing that
some enemies attacked, and when he saw that his wife was holding a sword, why, he said,
my friend, have you decided to kill me? In response to her husband, the wife said: Tongue
human convinced me to kill you. He wanted to call people and here
understood what Solomon had taught her.

Solomon, hearing about this, wrote this verse into the Collection, saying: He found a man
one among thousands, but I did not find women in the whole world.

<0 SERVANT AND SON>

In the days of Solomon, there was a rich man in Babylon, but he had no children.Having lived
half of his days, he adopted a servant boy. And, having equipped, he sent him with
good from Babylon for commercial affairs. The same one, having come to Jerusalem, got hold of there. AND
was among the boyars of Solomon, sitting at a dinner with the king.

Meanwhile, a son was born to the master of his house. And when the youth was fulfilled
thirteen years old, his father died. And his mother said to him: Son, I heard about the slave
your father, that he got hold of in Jerusalem. Go find him. He came to
Jerusalem and asked about a man named what this servant had.And he was
very famous. He was told that he was at Solomon’s for dinner. And the youth entered the royal
hall, asked: Who is such and such a boyar here? He replied: It’s me. Approaching,
the boy hit him in the face and said: You are my slave! Do not be boyars, sitting, but go
work! And give me your good. And the king was angry, and it became vexed to him.
Turning to Solomon, the lad said: If there is no, king, this servant of the father
my mine, then for the fact that I hit him with my hand, I will receive a blow with a sword that
will kill me. The struck in turn said: I am the master’s son, and this is the servant
my father and mine.I have witnesses in Babylon. The king said: I will not believe
witnesses. I’d better send my ambassador to Babylon, let him take the shoulder
a bone from my father’s grave, and that one will tell me which of you is a son and who is a servant. And you be
here. And the king sent his trusted ambassador, and he brought a humerus. By
his wisdom, the king ordered to cleanly wash the bone, put his boyar and all
sages, boyars and scribes in front of him and said to a person who knows how to let
blood: Let this boyar bleed. He did it.Then the king ordered to put
bone into warm blood. He explained the meaning of the command to his boyars, saying: If
this is his son, then his blood will cling to his father’s bone. If he does not snuggle, then the slave.
And they took the bone out of the blood, and the bone was white as before. Then the king commanded
another vessel to let the boy’s blood. And after washing the bone, they put it in the young man’s blood. AND
the bone was nourished with blood. And the king said to his boyars: See with your own eyes that
says this bone: This is my son, and that slave. So the king judged them.

After that, Solomon began to tell his boyars: There was Hadrian the king, and he commanded
his boyars call him God.And, not wanting, the boyars said to him: Our Tsar!
Do you think in your heart that there was no god before you? We will call you
the highest king among kings, if you take the highest Jerusalem and the Holy of Holies. He
And having gathered with many soldiers, he went and took Jerusalem, and returned back,
And he said to them: Just as God will command and say, so will do, so
I did. Now call me god. He had three philosophers. Answered him
first, saying: If you want to be called a god, keep in mind: a boyar cannot be called
king, being in the royal palace, until he comes out.So do you, if you want
be called a god, come out of the whole universe and be called a god there.

And the other said: You cannot be called a god. The king asked: Why? That
answered: Jeremiah the prophet says: Gods who did not create heaven and earth, yes
will perish. If you want to perish, king, call yourself a god.

And the third said: My lord, king! Help me soon! The king asked: What with
you? And the philosopher said: My boat is ready to sink three miles from here, and
all my good is her, and the king said: Do not be afraid.I will send people and they will bring her. BUT
the philosopher said: Why do you, king, bother your people? Send a quiet wind
let him save her. The same, realizing, remained silent and displeased and went to rest to his
the queen.

And the queen said: The philosophers have deceived you, king, by telling you that you cannot
be called a god. Wanting to comfort him in that sadness, she said: You are the king, you
rich, you are worthy of great honor. Do, said, one thing, and then call
god. The king asked: Which one? And the queen answered: The property of God, which
return you.He asked: What property? The queen said: Return
your soul, which God has put into your body, and then call yourself God. He objected:
If there is no soul in me, in my body, what will I call God? The queen
told him: If you don’t own your soul, then you cannot
nickname.

King Solomon asked the princess for himself. And they did not give it up for him. Then Solomon
He said to the devils: Go and take that princess and bring her to me.And demons
going, they kidnapped her at the crossing, when she was walking from her mother’s chambers, they put her in
ship and rushed over the sea.

And then the princess saw that the man was drinking water, and from behind him the water was coming out.
She asked: Explain to me what it is. And the demons said: The one for you
will explain to whom we are taking you. They go further and see a man wandering in water, water
asks, and the waves knock him down. And the princess said: My loving matchmakers, and this is for me
Explain: why is that person, wandering in the water, asking for water? And they said: The one
will explain to you who we are taking you to.And they drove on again, and they see a man reaping hay,
he walks, and two goats, following him, eat the grass: what he eats, they eat. AND
said the princess: Explain to me, my dear matchmakers, explain to me: why
goats do not eat unleavened grass? And the demons said to her: He will explain to you to whom
we’re taking you.

And they rushed her to the city. One demon went and told King Solomon: They brought the bride
you. The tsar, having mounted his horse, rode ashore. And the princess said to him: Today I
yours, king. But here’s what you explain to me: a man drank water, and behind him it was
went out.The king said: Why are you surprised by this? After all, this is the royal house:
it comes in here, it comes out from here. And the princess asked: And now explain to me that
is this: one person, wandering in the water, asks for water, and the waves knock him down?
Solomon replied: O bride! Why are you surprised by this, bride? This is
servant of the tsar: he judges one lawsuit, and seeks another lawsuit, so that the king’s heart
make it kind. And here’s what else explain to me: a man reaps grass, and what he will reap,
then two goats, following him, eat. Why don’t those goats that got into the hay eat
green grass? And the king said: Bride! Why are you surprised? If a person
will take another wife with other people’s children, what he earns, they will eat.And for
he has nothing himself. Now go, bride, to my rest.

So she became his wife.

90,000 Orthodox parish of the Church of the Assumption of the Mother of God in Kamyshin, Volgograd diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church called the synagogue of the Libertines and Cyrene and Alexandrians and some of Cilicia and Asia entered into a dispute with Stephen; but they could not resist wisdom and the Spirit to whom he spoke “.

III. HOW TO FIND OUT WHETHER A MAN IS WISE OR NOT?

1. The wisdom of a person is manifested in his daily life …
A. True wisdom lies in God-fearing living and humility:
James 3: 13-17 “ Whether any of you is wise and wise, prove it really by good behavior with wise meekness “.
2 Peter 1: 5-9 “ … then you, making every effort to this, show in your faith virtue, in virtue discretion, in discretion abstinence, in temperance patience, patience in piety, in piety brotherly love, in brotherly love love.If this is in you and is multiplying, then you will not be left without success and fruit in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. And in whom this is not, he is blind, closed his eyes, forgot about the cleansing of his former sins “

B. True wisdom consists in keeping the commandments of God:
Deuteronomy 4: 5-6 ” Behold, I taught you regulations and laws, as the Lord, my God, commanded me, that you should do so in the land into which you enter, in order to take possession of it; therefore, keep and fulfill them, for in this is your wisdom and your mind before the eyes of the peoples, who, having heard about all these decrees, will say: only this great people is a wise and reasonable people “.
Matthew 7: 24-26 “ So everyone who hears these words of mine and does them, I will liken a wise man who built his house on a rock; and the rain fell, and the rivers flooded, and the winds blew, and rushed on the house he, and he did not fall, because he was founded on a stone. And everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not fulfill them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand “.

Q. True wisdom consists in distance from evil and walking in the ways of God: Hosea 14:10 “ Who is wise to understand this? Who is intelligent to know this? For the ways of the Lord are right, and the righteous walk in him, and the wicked will fall on them “, Proverbs 2: 20-21 ” Therefore, walk in the way of the good and follow the paths of the righteous, for the righteous will dwell on the earth, and the blameless will remain on it; and the wicked will be destroyed from the earth, and the treacherous are rooted out of it “. Proverbs 3: 7 “ Do not be wise in your eyes; fear the Lord and move away from evil: this will be health for your body and nourishment for your bones “. Proverbs 14:16 “ The wise are afraid of God and withdraws from evil , but the fool is irritable and presumptuous “.

2. True wisdom is a gift from God:
A. God is the only source of wisdom: Daniel 2:21 “ … For He has wisdom and strength; He changes times and years, dethrones kings and sets kings; gives wisdom to the wise and understanding to the rational ” …
B. Whoever lacks wisdom, let him ask God ( James 1: 5 “ If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives to everyone simply and without reproach, and it will be given to him ” ; Proverbs 2: 3-6 “ If you call on knowledge and call upon reason; if you seek it like silver, and seek it out like treasure, you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth – knowledge and understanding “. Solomon asked God for wisdom, and God gave him – 1 Kings 3: 11-12 “ And God said to him: because you asked for this and did not ask yourself a long life, did not ask for riches, did not ask for myself the souls of your enemies, but I asked myself reason to be able to judge, – behold, I will do according to your word: behold, I give you a wise heart and reasonable, so that there was no one like you before you, and after you there will be no like you are “. Ecclesiastes 2:26 “For the man who is kind in his presence, He gives wisdom and knowledge and joy”, Colossians 1: 9 “ Therefore, from the day we heard about this, we do not stop praying for you and ask that you be filled with the knowledge of His will, in all wisdom and spiritual understanding “.

Q. God’s wisdom is revealed to us by the Spirit of God ( 1 Corinthians 2:10 “ And God revealed this to us by His Spirit “, 1 Corinthians 12: 8 “ One is given the word of wisdom by the Spirit, to another word of knowledge by the same Spirit “). The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Wisdom: Ephesians 1:17 “ … that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation to know Him “, Isaiah 11: 2 “ … and rest on him Spirit of the Lord, spirit of wisdom and of reason , spirit of advice and strength, spirit of knowledge and piety “.

Jesus Christ – God’s wisdom : 1 Corinthians 1:30 “ From Him you also are in Christ Jesus, Who became for us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption “, Colossians 2 : 3 “… in Which are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge “.

3. Where does wisdom begin? – Proverbs 1: 7 “ The beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord; fools only despise wisdom and instruction “, Proverbs 9:10 “ The beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord, and the knowledge of the Holy One is reason “, Psalm 110 : 10 “ The beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord; the mind is faithful to all who fulfill His commandments. “.

4. Knowledge puffs up … Knowledge in itself is not wisdom – 1Corinthians 8: 1b “ Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies “.

5. God’s unwise is wiser than human wisdom! 1 Corinthians 1:25 “ Because the unwise God is wiser than men, and the weak God is stronger than men “.

6. Good news – for those who are lost it is foolishness, but for those who are being saved there is the wisdom and power of God.- 1Corinthians 1:24 “ For the word about the cross is foolishness for those who perish, but for us, who are being saved, it is the power of God “.

IV. CONSEQUENCES …

1. Consequences of accepting the wisdom of God:

Why is Wisdom personified by a woman?

Good question.

In the context of the first few chapters of Proverbs, the proverbial writer makes it very clear that the book originated in the throne room of Israel. Imagine King David spending time with one of his children, Solomon, with the specific purpose of teaching his son some of the lessons he has learned over the years.David, as you remember, was “a man after God’s heart” (Acts 13:22; 1 Samuel 13:14), and he learned a lot in his relationship with his God, including difficult ones.

Thus, David’s goal was to instill in his son Solomon the divine principles that would guide and protect him throughout his life and his future reign as king of Israel. The meaningful and memorable proverbs of the time served as a summary of important life lessons, relatively easy to remember stanzas.

Historically, around the same time that Solomon was composing, pondering, searching and collecting many proverbs (perhaps 3000 or more), Amenemope had already written his The Wisdom of Amenemopus , a collection of teachings in proverb form about public service, which perhaps preceded by a collection of Solomon’s proverbs. Some of Solomon’s proverbs bear a striking resemblance to some of Amenemope’s aphorisms (see NAS Bible , Revised Edition , Introduction to Proverbs, in the Author section).These “family similarities” suggest that Solomon searched every proverb he had access to in his day and “picked cherries” that were consistent with his goals (and God’s purposes, of course!)

Because sexual morality and the importance that young people (especially men of this kind; i.e., boys) do not expose their lives to the harmful effects of unprincipled and unbridled sexual activity, Solomon chose a woman to personify wisdom, to serve as the righteous counterpart of the “immoral woman” that appears and reappears throughout the book.She is alternately referred to as “the wicked woman,” “the adventurer,” “the flattering foreigner,” “the adulteress,” and perhaps many other names, depending on which version of Proverbs you read by chance.

In other words, the evil woman serves as foil ** for the woman who personifies the wisdom of . Or they act like foils on top of each other, since the contrast between them serves to clarify the differences between them. One woman, for example, seeks to destroy a young man, while another woman has only her long-term interests at heart.One represents immediate gratification accompanied by sad consequences, and the other represents delayed gratification accompanied by the gifts that continue to be given. Compare, for example, the adulteress who is mentioned throughout the book with another woman, this time by the virtuous woman , who is detailed in chapter 31!

Was the personification of virtues a common feature of literature in Solomon’s time? Honestly, I do not know. I will leave the answer to this question to another member who wants to research it.I will say, however, that Scripture does use “character characters” that serve in a pedagogical / similar manner to convey some intrusive content to us (for example, a “story” about two women – again !! – called Oholiba and Ohola, in Ezekiel 23).

Feminine images are used in Scripture both positively and negatively. Positively, there is also a woman of Wisdom, who raises her voice in Proverbs 8, and a “virtuous woman” in Proverbs 31, and negatively, there is also the Great Whore (or “Babylon the Great”, the Revelation of Jesus Christ from John), and

“A woman clothed with the sun [with] the moon under her feet, and on her head is a crown of twelve stars…, who gave birth to a son, a male child, who must rule all nations with the iron rod. … . “(Revelation 12: 1,5).

The great harlot serves as foil for a pregnant woman who gives birth to a son.

Solomon’s choice of a woman as wisdom personified may have been his own invention, or perhaps he borrowed this a concept from Amenemope or another writer from his time or earlier That he used a woman for his pedagogical purposes is certainly consistent with other such rhetorical tactics in Scripture, as I have already indicated.

In closing, you will notice that I have linked feminine wisdom with other personifications that use women to convey certain truths, and I did this on purpose, in part to avoid eigenesis. While your question focuses on the Book of Proverbs, Scripture includes 66 books, and more than sometimes imagery that is used in one book or context is also used in another book or context, giving Scripture an amazing unity amid diversity. This fact, however, deserves further development, albeit at a different time.

** For an interesting (and short) article on the use of foil, see this web page.

Gift of the word of wisdom Gift of the Holy Spirit How to receive, accept the gift of the Spirit

I would like to draw your attention to several points right away. Gift
words of wisdom are not a wise person, wise with experience and knowledge. Is not
a large number of books read, languages ​​learned and a high “IQ”.

Let’s separate human wisdom from God’s. In a word
there are enough indications of this.

Word

Note that this is a WORD, not a sermon or
written book. WORD. It can be either one word or a phrase, a parable. Greek
meaning – logos – means the written or spoken word.

Wisdom

The word “wisdom” has the meaning wisdom, skill, art .
In the old testament, people received supernatural wisdom (skill) for building
ark, tabernacle, vessels and dressmaking
priests.These people DID NOT HAVE this skill BEFORE they had to build and
to manufacture. By the way, it was a difficult task for our today’s computers
figure out how to sew priestly clothing. And these people sewed it in the desert. Same
and gold could be smelted in the desert. The melting point of gold is 2000 degrees.

Solomon received wisdom from God, and we see written
Bible books – Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs. However, Solomon was not wise
human from birth, and in the future we see the stupidest mistakes that
seduced him.

Next, we’ll look at what the wisdom of God means. Since the gift of the word of wisdom is the manifestation of the Spirit of God in the Church, and we know that God does not change. Hence, the manifestation of the supernatural wisdom of God must be studied.

Interpretation of dreams and visions

God’s wisdom was manifested through the interpretation of dreams and visions. AND
Daniel and Joseph had the ability from God to interpret dreams. They received from
God’s word about these dreams – what they meant and what to do.

And we also see a similar manifestation in the new covenant, when Paul in a dream envisioned the direction for his further ministry.When Peter saw the vision and received direct guidance from God. In other words, they received the gift of the word of wisdom in dreams and visions to resolve issues in their ministry.

The wisdom of God reveals the mystery of God’s economy

It is very important to see what the wisdom of God is given for.
There shouldn’t be anything related to the flesh. Please note that exactly THROUGH
CHURCH The wisdom of God must be known to the heavenly authorities and principalities.
Angels are superior in strength and strength to man.They were in the old testament
bearers of the Word of God. But today they see and hear the wisdom of God through
US.

Knowledge of God, knowledge of Christ.

Directing God’s wisdom to action is essential to
see what exactly is the manifestation of the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, and what
has earthly wisdom.

The gift of the word of wisdom in the ministry of Christ

There is one feature that has always accompanied
the manifestation of this gift through Christ and ministers. People listening to them have more
there were no questions, they could not resist the wisdom of God.It is very strong
differs from when people argue about some truths, debate and CANNOT
come to an agreement. The gift of the word of wisdom was not manifested in this way.

And we see that Paul advises ministers not to enter into empty
disputes. There is the wisdom of God. And nothing and no one can resist her.

How to define wisdom from God

Another feature that makes it possible to “learn
tree by fruit “. Very often people, wanting to prove they are right, admit
resentment, anger, envy towards someone who turned out to be better and smarter.

The gift of the word of wisdom through the gift of prophecy

As we said, prophecy is the proclamation of the will of God,
The Word of God. And I believe that these two gifts are inextricably linked. Manifestation
prophetic gift is important in order to receive “great gifts”, which
is the gift of the word of wisdom. And we see that wisdom manifested itself the same
way (supernatural) as well as prophecy, through visions, dreams, angels.

How to get wisdom

I would really not want anyone to think that there is a “recipe” for receiving this gift, as well as others.I believe that only jealousy and faith in God can reveal in us what has already been given by God. The following Scriptures talk about HOW to receive the wisdom of God. And first you need to accept that

– each of us is GIVEN grace according to the MEASURE of the GIFT of Christ. I.e
it is not necessary to ask for this, but to thank and ask for something that ALREADY
GIVEN TO SOMEONE of us.

– Not everyone will receive the gift of the word of wisdom as a gift of the Spirit, but ALL
can use wisdom because we have the mind of Christ and the anointing in Him.

Ask, believe, be jealous

– to ask with thanksgiving to manifest what we have

– to be jealous. Let me remind you that jealousy manifests itself when you have SOMETHING, and they are trying to take something away from you or not let you use it. To be jealous means to demand what is yours. Confession of faith is very important. And you have to stick to it UNDEFINED.

– to learn the will of God about your place in the Church, about your gift, about the manifestation of the Spirit through you for the Church.