Wisdom is the application and execution of accurate knowledge that has been correctly apprehended.
When we seek wisdom, we are seeking the mind of God regarding earthly circumstances.
If we walk in true wisdom, we are seeing things from God’s perspective.
“Wisdom will multiply your days and add years to your life.” (Proverbs 9:10 NLT)
- All Godly wisdom begins with reverence (“revere”= “to stand in awe of”)
- “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom” (Proverbs 9:10a NKJV)
- Unfortunately, we live in a world that does not value Godly wisdom
- Most people choose to go with the flow of society and rely upon “worldly” wisdom
But to live void of Godly wisdom is to embrace a life of eternal folly.
There are many reasons people choose to act and live foolishly:
- First, it is usually out of plain ignorance or listening to bad counsel (See Proverbs 1:1)
- Or seeking self-gratification
- Or in response to peer pressure and societal pressure
Let’s also not forget that we have a real spiritual adversary who likes to remain out of sight and hidden.
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” (1 Peter 5:8 NKJV)
What is the ultimate fool’s game?
To have an attitude that says: “I can live my way apart from God and win”
Remember that arrogance and self-reliance are the opposite of wisdom. Fittingly, these foolish characteristics were shared by earthly adversaries: the Pharisees.
Remember it was the arrogant and self-reliant Pharisees that opposed the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ.
Jesus delivered this stinging rebuke to the “moral majority” of his day:
“Blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel! Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.” (Matt. 23:24-28)
Ouch!
Besides the Pharisees One perfect example of this is atheism, which is such a completely irrational worldview that it can only be explained by man’s exceeding arrogance and self-reliance.
“For every house is built by someone, but He who built all things is God.” (Hebrews 3:4 NKJV)
The atheist denies that the world was created even though he will readily confess that “every house is built by someone.”
Atheism is willful ignorance and is rooted in foolishness… literally.
“The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” (Psalm 14:1a NKJV)
The good news is that we can choose wisdom instead of foolishness.
But we must pursue it with the fear of the Lord.
Consider this authoritative admonition from the Apostle Paul to the Ephesian church.
“See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” (Ephesians 5:15-17 NKJV)
This brings us to the even better news: YOU can become wise!
Here are six steps for walking in wisdom.
Six Steps To Walking In Wisdom
1. Have a strong determination to walk wisely
(Read Proverbs 2:1-7)
Walking in wisdom requires a decision and a commitment. You must settle it in your mind that God’s way is the right way, regardless of how you “feel’ about it.
“Forsake foolishness and live, And go in the way of understanding.” (Proverbs 9:6)
Choose today to pursue Godly wisdom.
2. Pray for wisdom
(Read James 1:5-8)
The Bible is clear: ‘You have not because you ask not‘ (James 4:2)
God gives wisdom to those who ask of Him in faith.
“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. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting…” (James 1:5,6a)
Come in faith before God in prayer and ask Him for wisdom.
“And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6)
Believe that He is and that He will reward you with what you ask in faith.
Your Heavenly Father is waiting for you to ask Him for wisdom.
3. Meditate on God’s Word
(Read Psalms 119:97-105)
If you desire wisdom, read and internalize the ultimate book of wisdom: God’s Word.
While the book of Proverbs is filled with wisdom keys, I find the most powerful words of wisdom in the entire Bible are those spoken by Jesus Christ. (The “red” letters in the KJV.)
The more you come to know the Word of God, the more Godly wisdom will be available to you.
4. Actively obey and apply God’s Word
( Read James 1:22)
While reading and meditating on stories and parables of the Bible is greatly beneficial, followers of Christ are called to put the words into action.
That is, we are called to apply the eternal knowledge that we apprehend.
Reading and meditating on the words of the Bible is only the beginning.
We produce fruit for God’s Kingdom, however, through our obedience to Christ’s commands.
Let God’s Word produce fruit in your life so as to please your one and only Master, Jesus Christ.
5. Be sensitive to the prompting of the Holy Spirit
( Read Isaiah 63:10)
As believers, we are urged throughout scripture to maintain peace with the Holy Spirit. The Bible encourages us to not grieve, nor quench, the Spirit. (Ephesians 4:29-32; 1 Thessalonians 5:19)
We are also urged not to:
- Insult the Spirit (Hebrews 10:26-29)
- Resist the Spirit (Acts 7:51)
- Or lie to the Spirit (Acts 5:3,4)
True wisdom recognizes the vital role of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
6. Associate with, and learn from, wise people
( Read Psalm 1:1; Proverbs 13:20)
Believers are warned throughout the scriptures to watch the company they keep.
“Do not be deceived: ‘Evil company corrupts good habits.'” (1 Corinthians 15:33)
“He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will be destroyed.” (Proverbs 13:20)
“Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;” (Psalm 1:1)
“Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” (Proverbs 27:17)
Conclusion: At this present hour, our world is growing ever darker from a spiritual perspective. We can see this in the circumstances that surround us in the natural. We must do all we can to root ourselves in the words of Jesus and in the mind of God. Let us humble ourselves before God in reverent fear, and ask Him for ample amounts of divine wisdom as we face the closing days of this age.
