“And if anyone longs to be wise, ask God for wisdom and he will give it! He won’t see your lack of wisdom as an opportunity to scold you over your failures but he will overwhelm your failures with his generous grace.” – James 1:5 (TPT).
Everybody wants to be wise and some people think they’re wiser than others, but does everyone know what it is to be wise? How many people can admit they are lacking wisdom…at least in some areas? Do we seek the wisdom only God can give? And do we find the wise things to do in God’s word? The Bible certainly has a fair share of things to say about wisdom.
Now, consider just a few passages of Scripture that deal with the subject: Consider, for example, 2 Timothy 3:15: “You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus.” Notice how wisdom functions. It is a means to a goal. Wisdom is always a good means to a good goal. The Scriptures make you wise unto salvation. Or consider Proverbs 3:13, “Joyful is the person who finds wisdom, the one who gains understanding.” Biblical wisdom is a path to deep and lasting happiness. Or consider Proverbs 24:13–14: “My child, eat honey, for it is good, and the honeycomb is sweet to the taste. In the same way, wisdom is sweet to your soul. If you find it, you will have a bright future, and your hopes will not be cut short.” If you find true wisdom, it will lead you to a happy future. And that future will last forever. Proverbs 8:32–36 sums it up beautifully: “And so, my children, listen to me, for all who follow my ways are joyful. Listen to my instruction and be wise. Don’t ignore it. Joyful are those who listen to me, watching for me daily at my gates, waiting for me outside my home! For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the Lord. But those who miss me injure themselves. All who hate me love death.”
Looking over the circumstances of the past few years, it is clear that gaining Godly wisdom is not just a one time deal, but a choice each and every day. It’s daily, intentionally going to Jesus first with our worries, hurts, and utter desperation and asking for wisdom. A life full of God’s wisdom looks a lot like Jesus. God allows different situations in our lives, we have a choice if we want to humble ourselves and learn to grow in Godly wisdom or go the other way. Living lives full of Godly wisdom takes time and it takes intentionality.
Discussion Questions:
- How can God give us wisdom daily?
- What can we do this week to seek wisdom from God?