We Need Wisdom

Chad Lee
17 hours ago
5 min read

We Need Wisdom

What do we need at work? Wisdom.

How about in marriage and in parenting? Wisdom.

What do you and I need as we approach the various challenges in our lives? Wisdom.

What do we need in financial management, in time management, in leadership, in reading books, in choosing the words we speak, in relationships, and in every other aspect of life? Wisdom.

What is wisdom? How do we get it?

Wisdom is a theme that shows up from the beginning to the end of Scripture. Most prominently, this can be seen in the book of Proverbs.

The book of Proverbs was written and collected by Solomon (1:1; 10:1) and a few other authors. God gave Solomon incredible wisdom. We're told in 1 Kings 4, "And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding beyond measure, and breadth of mind like the sand on the seashore, so that Solomon's wisdom surpassed the wisdom of all the people of the east and all the wisdom of Egypt" (1 Kings 4:29-30; ESV throughout).

Some scholars think the book of Proverbs was collected and assembled later than Solomon (though there is not much evidence for it). Regardless, the book is inspired by the Holy Spirit and is intended to impart wisdom to God's people which works itself into every practical detail of their lives. The book of Proverbs provides insightful comments about everyday situations, and it was often utilized to train youth (though it wasn't limited to youth alone).[1] The book of Proverbs is about how we can live our lives with wisdom in every aspect.

After reading the book of Proverbs recently, it dawned on me: the main thing that I need and that I'm seeking in many different categories of my life is wisdom. But, what is wisdom? How do we become wise?

What Is Wisdom?

According to the Oxford English Reference Dictionary, "wisdom" is defined as "experience and knowledge together with the power of applying them critically or practically."[2] Therefore, wisdom goes beyond mere knowledge. With wisdom, one knows how to use and apply knowledge to one's life.

Now, let's look at the Hebrew and Greek words which are translated as "wisdom" in Scripture.

Hebrew

חׇכְמָה

(khokmah)

This Hebrew word for wisdom is often used to indicate prudence, skill, shrewdness, and knowledge which is practically applied to various aspects of life. The word appears 149 times in the Old Testament, which includes an appearance in almost every chapter of the book of Proverbs.

Greek

σοφία

(sophia)

This Greek word for wisdom means extensive knowledge and skill applied to various aspects of life. It appears 51 times in the New Testament.

Therefore, wisdom is knowledge that is applied to one's life in practical ways. Now, let's look at some of the key Scriptures where the word "wisdom" is used.

Key Scriptures:

[Psa 90:12 ESV] 12 So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.
[Psa 111:10 ESV] 10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!
[Pro 1:7 ESV] 7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.
[Pro 2:6-7 ESV] 6 For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; 7 he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity,
[Pro 3:13-14 ESV] 13 Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, 14 for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold.
[Pro 3:19-20 ESV] 19 The LORD by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding he established the heavens; 20 by his knowledge the deeps broke open, and the clouds drop down the dew.
[Mat 7:24 ESV] 24 "Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.
[Rom 11:33 ESV] 33 Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!
[1Co 1:30 ESV] 30 And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption,
[Eph 5:15-17 ESV] 15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
[Col 2:2-3 ESV] 2 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, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
[Col 3:16 ESV] 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
[Jas 1:5 ESV] 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.
[Jas 3:13-17 ESV] 13 Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. 15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.

Okay, so now you may be thinking, "How do I become wise?"

How Do We Get Wisdom?

Scripture provides a quick and easy answer for this, "Ask God."

In other words, we should pray for wisdom. "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him" (James 1:5).

Of course, wisdom is also obtained through experience, counsel from advisors, reading books, knowing Scripture, and various avenues like these. However, most fundamentally, fear and reverence of God is the beginning of wisdom (Prov. 1:7). God is infinitely wise. Therefore, it makes sense that wisdom may simply come in response to prayer.

One form of so-called "wisdom" we must avoid is earthly, worldly, and demonic wisdom. James says it this way:

"14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. 15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere." (James 3:14-17)

How can we know? Interestingly, as James points out, if we are experiencing "bitter jealousy," "selfish ambition," "disorder," and a "vile" lifestyle, then perhaps we are living according to demonic "wisdom". But, in contrast, godly wisdom is pure, peaceful, gentle, reasonable, merciful, impartial, and sincere.

Finally, Jesus Christ is the perfect example and source of wisdom. Ultimately, it is Christ "in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" (Col. 2:3). Believe in him. Worship him. Learn from him. He is the perfect embodiment of wisdom.

I'm not sure what comes to mind for you today when I ask: "Why and for what do you need wisdom?" But, come to the LORD today and simply ask for it. He is kind, and he will give it.

We need God's wisdom.

End Notes:

[1] ESV Study Bible (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2008), 1129-1134.

[2] Oxford English Reference Dictionary, s.v. "Wisdom (noun)," 2nd ed. (New York, NY: Oxford, 2003), 1659.