Do You Know Wisdom?

What is it that is sought after by many, but refused by more; constantly desired, but rejected on a whim; more precious than gold, silver, and rubies, yet sold for so very little? Just as the title of this article so plainly says, wisdom. This is the thing that so many desire but will neglect to use, even if they have it. Even though wisdom is not known for dwelling in some, the ones that are remembered for having a goodly amount of it were, and are, hailed as greats among us. If wisdom really is such a great commodity, then it must be worth taking a serious look at, and what better place to look than the Bible, God’s wisdom imparted to us?

Wisdom Defined

So what is wisdom? Dictionary.com says that wisdom is, “knowledge of what is true or right coupled with just judgment as to action; sagacity, discernment, or insight.” A shorter and more basic definition might simply be the application of knowledge. There are two types of wisdom, the wisdom of God (1 Cor. 2:7) and that of man (1 Cor. 2:5). To tell the two apart we can turn to James 3:13-17, where “bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts” is the hallmark of “earthly, sensual” wisdom, “but the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.” The ability to make good, quality decisions are greatly desired traits in the business world today, but it was an ability that was coveted by those of position in the days of David and the kings of Israel. When asked what he desired mostly by God, Solomon said, “Give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil” (1 Kgs. 3:9). In First Kings 4:29, we are told that, “God gave Solomon wisdom and exceedingly great understanding, and largeness of heart like the sand on the seashore.” So we can see that the ability to judge correctly and to make good, sound decisions are what makes one wise.

Wisdom Attained

We know what wisdom is, but how do we go about obtaining it? Proverbs 2:6-7 says, “For the Lord gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding; He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk uprightly.” We are told in James 1:5 that “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.” Unlike Solomon, who was directly given his wisdom through divine means, we do not receive our wisdom instantaneously. Wisdom is something that is much associated with age and experience. We rarely hear of someone with a sound mind going to a teenager to ask his or her judgment on a matter of great importance. The reason why many stories have been told that started with the words, “A wise old man/woman once told me...,” is because the state of youth does not have the many years of living and the experience gained by those advanced years. God will give us wisdom if we ask, as we have already seen. Many years lived does not necessarily mean that a person will be wise. Proverbs 9:10 says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” If we seek to know God, and diligently study His word, we are sure to find wisdom.

Wisdom Declined

Like was said at the beginning of this article, there are many who do not seek after wisdom, and there are some who do that will never find it (Pr. 14:6). The Book of Proverbs was written with the sole purpose of imparting wisdom (Pr. 1:2-7). This being said, there are many places, in this book, that speak of those to whom wisdom is a stranger. Fools, the simple, scoffers, these will turn away from wisdom but to their own destruction (Pr. 1:22, 27). These are ones that have the ability to understand, to know what is right, to know what is good, but they turn from it willfully, not wanting to see themselves for what they truly are. Even though wisdom is out there for all to have, shouting in the streets for everyone to hear her words (Pr. 1:20-21), there are those who will never heed her call. One might say, “Is it so bad that one goes through this life child-like in understanding, not wanting to grow in knowledge and wisdom?” I would ask, “Why would someone want to live like that except out of laziness, or from a desire not to know right from wrong, that they might lead lives of guiltless sin?” He who gets wisdom loves his own soul; he who keeps understanding will find good (Pr. 19:8).

Conclusion

The wisdom that comes from above should be sought after fervently, and the finding of it can only come from the word of God, for Paul said to Timothy that “from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (2 Tim. 3:15). For what more could we wish than to know the mind of God? How great an opportunity we have in that we can do that very thing with the ease of turning a page? No man ever said it any better than did Solomon, “Get wisdom! Get understanding! Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth. Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you; Love her, and she will keep you. Wisdom is the principle thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding” (Pr. 4:5-7).