"Does not wisdom call out? Does not understanding raise her voice?"
Proverbs 8:1
Are you hungry for wisdom? Is your need for knowing what is truth becoming more desperate? My answer to these questions is a resounding YES! In a world where evil is good and good is evil, I have never been more dependent on the knowledge, wisdom, and understanding of God's Word. The pursuit of wisdom in our lives is directly related to our relationship and dependence on the person of truth Jesus Christ.
Wisdom has many facets: insight, counsel, prudence, understanding, discernment, discipline, competence, discretion, instruction, guidance, knowledge, and righteousness.
What is wisdom? The most frequent Hebrew word for wisdom is "chokmah," which means skill. Wisdom is the art and practice of living life with each area under Christ's dominion. It is the ability to use the best means at the best time to accomplish the best ends.
There are two kinds of wisdom—one from God and another from the world, flesh, and Satan.
"This wisdom does not descend from above but is earthly, sensual, and demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. Wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle; willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and hypocrisy." (James 3:15-17)
Wisdom from above is the Lord's plan by which He can transform the moral and spiritual chaos of human life into an incarnation of God's attributes of justice, equity, truth, and faithfulness. It impacts our lives in all that really matters.
How do we pursue wisdom? This treasure of knowledge, wisdom, and understanding rests in the hands of God through a relationship with Jesus Christ. Since it comes from above (James 3:17), we cannot attain it apart from Him and His Word.
What is the condition for attaining wisdom? Proverbs 9:10 gives us the answer: "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding."
• Job 28:28—"And to man, He said, 'Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, And to depart from evil is understanding.'"
• Psalm 86:11—"Teach me Your way, O LORD; I will walk in Your truth; Unite my heart to fear Your name."
• Proverbs 1:7—"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction."
What is the fear of the Lord? To fear God is to have an attitude of awe and humility before Him. It is to recognize the weaknesses of human flesh and our need for complete dependence upon Him in every area of our lives. "The fear of the Lord is the instruction for wisdom, and before honor comes humility." (Proverbs 15:23)
Why have so many people failed to develop awe and humility before God? Many people put their faith in themselves, walk in pride, and Satan blinds unbelieving eyes. God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble, James 4:6. Therefore, if we humble and ask God for wisdom, he will give it to us in great abundance, James 1:5.
I pray that God will lead you in His knowledge, wisdom and understanding as you live for Jesus Christ!
Serving Christ,
Jeff