Most of us, myself included, realize that we may not be the "sharpest knife in the drawer"....there are plenty of others who are geniuses while we are not. The online dictionary says that knowledge is "Acquaintance with facts, truths, or principals; as from study or investigation." But wisdom can judge what is true and apply what knowledge we have to make decisions and choices. "Wisdom is the right use of knowledge" says Dr. Charles Stanley. The wisdom that we should be concerned about is not as the world sees things, but instead true godly wisdom should be our goal.
"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. 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." - James 1:5-6
The King James Study Bible notes tells us "wisdom is not just acquired information but practical insight with spiritual implications." We therefore need to pray for wisdom to guide us in our everyday life, and in the decisions we make. I am reminded of ancient King Solomon who was the wisest man that ever lived. When God spoke to Solomon at the beginning of his reign over the nation of Israel, God simply said, "Ask what I shall give thee." Solomon was young (around 20 years old) at the beginning of his kingship, He replied to the LORD, "Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people? And the speech pleased the LORD, that Solomon had asked this thing." So God told him "Behold, I have done according to thy word: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee." (Read 1 Kings 3:1-15).
Solomon was also given riches and honor by God. He did fine until he married foreign wives who worshiped false gods and they turned Solomon's wisdom into folly. Think about it....he had 700 wives and 300 concubines....how foolish is that ! But his greatest folly was, when he was old, his wives turned away his heart after other gods, "and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father." ( 1 Kings 11:1-13) If the wisest man who ever lived could fall away from Almighty God, let us be ever so cautious not to make the same mistake. It may be that we worship the god of money, or materialism itself, or worship another person other than God. Beware lest you fall!
"Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall" - 1 Corinthians 10:12
Solomon, before his folly, wrote many Proverbs as well as Ecclesiastes and perhaps Song of Solomon as well. Proverbs especially speaks much of wisdom, as the following verses show.
"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding."
- Proverbs 9:10
"Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding." - Proverbs 4:7
"He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth understanding shall find good."
- Proverbs 19:8
It is evident that true wisdom comes from God. "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. By reading and meditating on God's Word we gain knowledge and as we put God's precepts into practice and also deep into our heart and soul, we acquire this wisdom from above. We need to study, ponder, and follow God's Word in order to know how to put God's Word into practice in everyday life. To live godly and wisely. If you truly have God's wisdom it will be evident by how you live.
"Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge amongst you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom." - James 3:13
Following is an excellent sermon by Dr. Charles Stanley titled "Acquiring Wisdom". He gives 7 ways as to how we can acquire wisdom.
Dr. Stanley points out that the most important and wisest choice we can make is to to choose life and Jesus as our Savior, Lord and Master. In other words, to determine where you will spend eternity.
"And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the LORD, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding." - Job 28:28
Have a blessed and Christ-centered weekend !
