Recently, I was thinking back on my life and some of the poor choices I made when I was a young adult. Back then, I based my decisions on the limited knowledge I had at that time. For example, when I attended college, I believed I would be incredibly smart and rely solely on myself in the future. What a joke! It’s easy to look back and hope to learn from our mistakes. However, if I could share one hard-earned truth, it’s that there’s a significant difference between knowledge and having wisdom.
We gain God’s wisdom from His Spirit and written word. Numerous scriptures speak on the gift of wisdom with the entire book of Proverbs dedicated to God’s insights on it. We’re fortunate to have this guidance for our daily lives. Understood correctly, wisdom is the proper use of knowledge, applying it daily with discernment, insight, and the fear of the Lord.
Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment. Wisdom will multiply your days and add years to your life. If you become wise, you will be the one to benefit. If you scorn wisdom, you will be the one to suffer (Prov. 9:10-12 NLT).
Fear of the Lord is recognizing His immense power, constant presence and impact, and showing respect through submission and obedience. Just as children understand their parents’ presence as a source of guidance and discipline, we should see the Lord in the same way. He is always with us, present 100 percent of the time, loving us and encouraging us to make the right choices. Where knowledge is knowing God’s word, wisdom is applying it to our lives daily.
When you have a decision to make, are you viewing it from a worldly perspective or through God’s perspective? Frankly, life is not about us; it’s about God, our Creator, and we were made to be part of His plan. If our goal is to glorify God, our decisions are more likely to be wise. So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31).
Getting Wisdom
How do we get wisdom? If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and He will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking (James 1:5).
One of my favorite stories about seeking wisdom involves King Solomon. Solomon loved the Lord, and after he became king, God appeared to him one night in a dream and asked, “What shall I give you?” Solomon requests wisdom to govern God’s people. God was so pleased with this request that He gave Solomon three gifts instead of one: wisdom and understanding beyond measure, wealth, and honor. God then told Solomon, “So if you walk in My ways, to keep My statutes and My commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days” (1 Kings 3:14).
Solomon was renowned for being the wisest and wealthiest person during his time. He reigned as king for over forty years, but his obedience was inconsistent, and he made poor decisions when he used his gifts for his own desires. He indulged in excesses with his wealth and was led astray by his multiple wives who worshiped other gods, even participating in sacrifices to these gods. Although he was filled with wisdom, he was being unwise. This teaches us a valuable lesson of staying attuned to the Holy Spirit and using God’s gifts for His glory.
For believers, how do we get wisdom? Paul explains that God imparts His thoughts to us through the Holy Spirit, which is how we gain wisdom. He emphasizes that he relies not on worldly wisdom, but on God’s wisdom and words to convey truths. He says, For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God… For “who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:10-12, 16).
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
Help me to see every decision from your perspective and may all of my choices be pleasing to You. I desire the gift of wisdom so that I can give you all the glory that You so deserve. Shield my mind from worldly corruption and lead me each day with Your grace and love. Thank you for Your wisdom and Your willingness to share it with us all.
Love your daughter,
Amy
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