Wisdom From Above

Feature 2 – June 2021 — Grace & Truth Magazine

Wisdom From Above

What would it be like to pray for something and know that God’s answer will definitely be “Yes”? The Bible actually describes such a prayer. It’s the prayer for wisdom: “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach” (Jas. 1:5 NKJV ). When we pray for wisdom, it is as if God has already been waiting for us to ask! He gives wisdom generously and does not make us feel ashamed for asking.

There are some other helpful principles in that verse. First, it is found in a larger passage about the trials and tests of our faith. Times of testing will produce endurance (v.3), but they will also expose our need for wisdom. Every day there are small tests of our trust in the Lord. On certain days the tests become very difficult, but wisdom helps us navigate those trials as we travel the road of faith.

Another point from James 1:5 is contained in the little word “if”: “If any of you lacks wisdom.” We should not be surprised when we lack wisdom; yet the word “if” also implies that at other times we might not need to ask because we already have the wisdom we require. This means that God is expecting His people to grow in wisdom as we learn from what He has given us.

Why Do We Need It?
Several times in the book of Proverbs we hear the voice of wisdom personified as a godly, dignified woman. In chapter 1, wisdom speaks aloud in the streets, calling us to depart from simplicity and foolishness. The invitation concludes with this promise: “Whoever listens to me will dwell safely, and will be secure, without fear of evil” (v.33). Thus, we need wisdom because it will lead us in righteousness and preserve us from evil. Proverbs 2 continues that theme, explaining that anyone who listens to wisdom will also understand the fear of the LORD, for the LORD Himself gives wisdom (vv.1-6).

Other Bible passages add that God’s people need wisdom for serving the Lord, even in tasks that seem ordinary, such as caring for widows (Acts 6:3). We must add wisdom to obedience in order to do what is good (Rom. 16:19), and we need wisdom in order to end well in our “latter days” (Prov. 19:20). Only God is truly wise (Rom. 16:27), but if we are to bear His character then we should desire to display His wisdom as well.

Who Has It?
Wisdom has been explained as the ability to apply the right principles to a specific situation. It is helpful to realize that no one is born with wisdom, yet even those who are simple are able to become wise. Proverbs 9, another passage which personifies wisdom, describes how she spreads a feast and invites all those who realize their need for understanding (vv.1-6). This is encouraging because it means that the only requirement for obtaining wisdom is to admit how much we need it.

Many times we believe that our advantages or abilities will make us wise. “The rich man is wise in his own eyes” simply because he is wealthy (28:11). Others who are famous in this world will often announce their opinions on subjects they know little about, but as Job’s friend Elihu noted, “Great men are not always wise” (Job 32:9). In fact, people who are wise in their own eyes are actually the worst kind of fools (Prov. 26:12).

By contrast, the prophet Daniel displayed much humility when he explained Nebuchadnezzar’s dream by saying, “This secret has not been revealed to me because I have more wisdom than anyone living, but for our sakes who make known the interpretation to the king, and that you may know the thoughts of your heart” (Dan. 2:30). The king recognized Daniel’s wisdom and set him over all the wise men of the empire (v.48), yet Daniel focused not on himself but on God – the Source of his wisdom.

This is a way to identify someone with godly wisdom: Although wisdom speaks with confidence, as Daniel did, it is always accompanied by humility and quietness. Ecclesiastes 9 describes a poor but wise man who, through his wisdom, delivered a city from the enemy. He did what rulers and armies could not, yet he never made a name for himself, and later no one even remembered him (vv.13-18). Wisdom never pushes its way forward into a place of fame, and it is willing to be forgotten.

This is an important point. Many voices speak with forceful confidence about the proper course of action. It can happen among Christians as we seek wisdom for doing what is right in God’s eyes. That desire is certainly honorable, and James 3:17 affirms heaven’s wisdom is first concerned with purity. But, notice the rest of the verse: Wisdom from above is not only pure but also “peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.” Moreover, the desired harvest of righteous behavior can only be planted in peaceful conditions (v.18).

How often have the people of God been harmed by voices which emphasize merely an adherence to some legal sense of righteousness! If we speak with forceful confidence but without grace, wisdom is often lacking. Counsel given or received in this manner may be technically accurate, yet it cannot be considered “wisdom ... from above” if it is given harshly, without the attractive characteristics of gentleness and mercy. True wisdom is also “willing to yield,” or “easy to be intreated” (KJV). Wisdom makes it easy to have a discussion, whereas the flesh always exposes itself by insisting that it is right and refusing further conversation.

How Do We Get It?
It is completely scriptural and proper to say we want more wisdom. In Proverbs 4, Solomon recalled his father David’s exhortation to him as a younger man: “Get wisdom! Get understanding! ... Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom” (see vv.3-9 NKJV). Later he added, “How much better to get wisdom than gold!” (16:16). These verses encourage us to seek wisdom with intention and purpose.

As the eternal God, Christ Jesus is our wisdom (1 Cor. 1:30). In Proverbs 8 the call of wisdom reflects His deity and character, for we read of wisdom’s presence at creation and the delight that rested in the sons of men. Yet, as a human being, the Lord Jesus grew in wisdom just as He grew in other areas of physical, spiritual and social development (Lk. 2:52). This tells us that getting wisdom is a process. It is simply not possible, for instance, that a little child would possess adult wisdom. On the other hand, it’s certainly possible for an adult to grow physically without growing in wisdom! It is unfortunate that even some believers have never determined to advance in godly wisdom and therefore remain undeveloped in this area.

There are at least five biblical ways to get wisdom. One is observation. Proverbs 6:6 says, “Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise.” We should not ignore areas in our lives that need development. This verse shows that anyone willing to admit imperfections can increase in wisdom simply by observing God’s creatures. In Proverbs 24 a similar lesson is gained by observing the overgrown, useless condition of the lazy man’s field (vv.30-32). If we are observant and thoughtful, our wisdom can grow.

The next way to get more wisdom is through direct instruction. When a person of moral integrity and spiritual maturity explains how to live, we should pay attention. “Listen to counsel and receive instruction, that you may be wise in your latter days” (19:20). At least eight New Testament passages describe subjects about which Christians should not be ignorant.* One passage declares that if we remain ignorant about God’s thoughts, we will become wise in our own eyes (Rom. 11:25) – and as we have already seen, that is the surest way to become foolish! It is essential to seek actively those clear teachings and wise conversations which will explain God’s ways in this world and in our lives. Even those who are already wise can gain further wisdom by hearing instruction (Prov. 9:9). Interpreting everything only by our present levels of understanding would be like insisting that we understand the ocean because we have seen a puddle on the road. How much better to listen to someone who has actually gone to the sea and can tell us about it!

Another way to grow in wisdom is through our relationships. “He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed” (13:20). Simply spending time in the presence of the wise can be profitable. Proverbs 27 provides several important lessons about well-chosen friends, whose good counsel is like sweet-smelling perfume (v.9). If they correct us, it is only because they are faithful friends, sharpening us so we can grow (vv.6,17). That kind of friendship should be nurtured, not abandoned, because in the day of trouble we will need to rely on the nearness of friends we can trust (v.10). By contrast, the invitation of the wicked may sound enticing (1:10-19), but “evil company corrupts good habits” (1 Cor. 15:33).

A fourth way to gain wisdom is by good planning. In fact, the mindset of thinking ahead is a characteristic of wisdom. In the Lord’s parable about the ten virgins who were waiting for the bridegroom to arrive at the wedding party, the primary difference between the five wise and the five foolish women was that the wise had brought enough oil for their lamps to last the entire night (Mt. 25:4). In another parable, a dishonest business manager was fired from his job, yet he was at least commended for planning ahead. The Lord exhorted His own disciples to be shrewd in the same way – without imitating man’s failures, of course (Lk. 16:1-11). The habit of planning ahead to meet personal and spiritual goals will lead us in the direction of wisdom.

Our Wise Behavior
Fifth, we can grow in wisdom simply by doing the right thing. When Jesus told the story of two builders, one wise and one foolish, He said we will be like one or the other. Although both the wise and the foolish have heard His words, only the wise builder actually does them (Mt. 7:24-27). It is not what we say but what we do that counts (v.21).

This means that it is not just Bible reading but Bible believing that matters. How do we use our time? What do we do with our money? How do we handle our emotions and desires? How do we respond when we have been wronged? What do we do when we are tempted and tested? What priority do we give to Christian gatherings for prayer and instruction? Obeying God’s Word in these areas implies we might have chosen a different path but have decided to follow biblical direction instead. We might not even think it is the right thing to do at the time, but we can be determined to do it anyway simply because we have decided to trust God. If we do this, we will consistently find that we are becoming wise, because God is wise enough to be honored and obeyed.

If we think we are wise, let us examine our behavior, for our wisdom will be seen through our works (Jas. 3:13). Remember, praying for wisdom is always the right thing to do – not only for ourselves but also for our Christian brothers and sisters, as Paul did for the Ephesians (Eph. 1:17). Ultimately, as we trust in the Lord with all our hearts, leaning on Him instead of on our own understanding, we can be confident that He will provide godly wisdom for our path.

ENDNOTE
* Specific things Christians should not be ignorant about include: the benefit of spiritual instruction (Rom. 1:13), God’s dealings with Israel (11:25), the meaning of being identified with Christ (1 Cor. 10:1), spiritual gifts (12:1), the difficulties faced by fellow believers (2 Cor. 1:8), the schemes of the devil (2:11), the second coming of Christ (1 Th. 4:13) and the certainty of God’s promises (2 Pet. 3:8-9).

By Stephen Campbell