Are you wise? Wisdom is Insight. Skill. Intelligence. The art of using and affection for wisdom is a highly praised trait to be possessed in the bible.
Whether in a human or divine application, the word “sophia” in Greek (Strongs G4678) language covers such a wide range of possible diverse subjects that it is meant to be applied on a case by case basis. In other words…
To “be wise” isn’t something that you just get once and apply once…
Wisdom is meant to be continually walked in as a believer who holds the mind of Christ. And true wisdom is not something one can arrive to in and of themselves- you must ask Someone for it.
“if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” James 1:5
One full reading through the Book of Proverbs and I am painfully aware of my need for true wisdom in every area of life.
From finances to relationships, time management, marriage, and parenting, Proverbs covers it all and calls us to choose to be wise:
The first chapter of Proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:
for gaining wisdom and instruction;
for understanding words of insight;
for receiving instruction in prudent behavior,
doing what is right and just and fair;
for giving prudence to those who are simple,
knowledge and discretion to the young—
let the wise listen and add to their learning,
and let the discerning get guidance—
for understanding proverbs and parables,
the sayings and riddles of the wise.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,
but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
I want to be a person who is wise as described above, don’t you?
There is such value in the attributes that wisdom lends:
- Knowing when to speak and when to pray
- to be discerning, being financially frugal, and knowing how to increase
- having insight and cultivating healthy relationships…
- How to avoid trouble
- how to avoid sin
Really, the entire bible is so rich with wisdom, it’s a wonder that we don’t walk around all day long with it in our hands frantically flipping through as each facet of the day presents itself!
Kids quarreling? You need wisdom.
“But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient…” (2 Tim 2:23-24)
Not enough money? You need wisdom.
Proverbs 21:20: “Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man’s dwelling, but a foolish man devours it.”
Hurt feelings? Offended? Seeking justice? Bad attitude? You need wisdom.
Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. 1 Cor. 13: 4-8
In a sticky situation and don’t know the way out? You need wisdom.
The righteous person may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all. (Psalm 34:19)
And there are countless other subjects covered by the wisdom of the scriptures.
I was so overwhelmed once, trying to figure out how to apply wisdom in so many areas of my life at the time, that I went to the Lord is exasperation and said, “Lord, I can’t do it. I am just not as wise as I should be and I can’t remember every single scripture at every single moment when I might need it! This is way too hard!”
I was convinced that I, in my own power, had to make it happen. But then He led to me James 1:5:
“if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”
Ask. That’s all He wanted me to do.
And He would liberally give it. So, I began asking.
Little by little, I started making better decisions. Scriptures that I normally couldn’t remember, would all of the sudden pop into my mind and I would know which direction I should go. In my bible study time, He began to open my eyes to more than I had ever seen before.
Of course, I had a choice as to whether or not I would actually LISTEN to the wisdom He gave.
There were times when God would remind me of scripture or a biblical principle in the midst of a situation and I would hesitate or simply throw the thought off to the side, only to discover that, later, had I heeded that thought, the situation would have turned out much better than how I had handled it.
God uses wisdom to protect us from so much heartache and bad fruit!
Sometimes, His wisdom might appear as if we are being denied something good, but if we can bring ourselves to fully trust Him, we will always see that He has our best interest at heart. He is a good Father and His Wisdom is a shield for us and it is fertilizer for good fruit to grow.
Time to Wise Up!
The pursuit of Wisdom is a lifelong journey. We will never wake up one day say, “I have all the knowledge and wisdom I need to have in this life.” Each day confronts us with choices that must be made, relationships that need tending, decisions that will decide the course of our lives and that will affect those around us – and we need wisdom for all of it!
Do you have areas in your life that are suffering?
Are there relationships that are frustrating and hurtful where God’s Wisdom could shed some light and understanding? Do you have goals that you never seem to reach no matter how hard you try? Sister, you need wisdom!
You don’t need to figure it out all by yourself, you don’t need to call friends for their opinion, you don’t need self-help books and shows- you need the wisdom of the Word of God! You need Him!
Some tips:
- As you seek God for wisdom, commit to reading the bible- particularly scriptures concerning whatever you are seeking wisdom for. Take notes if necessary.
- In your prayer time, give yourself some moments just to sit in His Presence and allow Him to minister to you as well.
- Finally, DO what He shows you to do. Even if it doesn’t make any earthly sense to you- God’s ways are full of wisdom. Obedience to His Word will ALWAYS produce good fruit!
Don’t forget to download your free Scripture cards to go along with this study!
Let’s Pray to be wise:
Father, Your Word says that if I ask for wisdom, you will give it liberally and without finding fault in me. I ask you for forgiveness for the times I have not been seeking Your Wisdom, and I ask you to help me remember that I can always find the answers I seek in Your Word and in Your Presence. I ask You now for wisdom for __________________. Thank You Father for giving it to me. Thank You that I can always count on You to guide and direct my path. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Dive Deeper
**Read a chapter a day from the Book of Proverbs. One chapter a day, with 31 chapters, equates to one month. Many people repeat this reading schedule monthly to soak up the wisdom in Proverbs.
**** The following scriptures are about the mind of Christ, which scripture says a born-again believer has been given. If we have been given the mind of Christ, then wisdom is continually made available to us for all areas of living. I’ve chosen these because they are good scriptures to pray over ourselves when we are seeking wisdom.
“that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might” Ephesians 1:17-18
Words to pay attention to: spirit of wisdom, revelation, knowledge of Him, enlightened, know
“In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:” Philippians 2:5
Words to pay attention to: mindset
“for, “Who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 2:16
Words to pay attention to: mind of the Lord, mind of Christ
DID YOU MISS THE FIRST DEVOTIONAL IN THIS SERIES??? YOU CAN FIND IT HERE.
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