Wisdom

Overview
Seeking wisdom is crucial for making sound decisions, living a righteous life, and
growing spiritually. For Christians, wisdom is a gift from God that helps navigate life’s
complexities with discernment and understanding. This guide offers biblical wisdom
and practical advice to help Christians seek and apply wisdom in their daily lives.

Definition and Nature

Wisdom is the ability to discern what is true, right, and lasting. It involves the
practical application of knowledge and understanding in making decisions and
leading a life that aligns with God’s will. Wisdom is characterised by humility,
prudence, and the fear of the Lord.

Why Seek Wisdom?

 Biblical Command: God commands believers to seek wisdom and
understanding (Proverbs 4:7).
 Spiritual Growth: Wisdom leads to spiritual maturity and a deeper
relationship with God (James 1:5).
 Guidance and Direction: Wisdom provides clarity and direction for life’s
decisions (Proverbs 3:5-6).
 Protection from Folly: Wisdom helps avoid mistakes and harmful choices
(Proverbs 2:11-12).
 Blessing and Prosperity: Living wisely brings blessings and success
(Proverbs 8:18-21).

Biblical Perspective
The Bible emphasises the importance of wisdom and provides guidance on how to
seek and apply it. Understanding wisdom from a biblical perspective involves
recognising it as a gift from God that is rooted in the fear of the Lord and the
application of His teachings.
Original Languages
 Old Testament (Hebrew):

 ‫( ָח ְכ ָמ ה‬chokmah): Translated as "wisdom" or "skill."

o Example: Proverbs 9:10 (NLT) - "Fear of the Lord is the foundation
of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment."
 ‫( ִּב יָנ ה‬binah): Means "understanding" or "insight."
o Example: Proverbs 2:3-5 (NLT) - "Cry out for insight, and ask for
understanding. Search for them as you would for silver; seek
them like hidden treasures. Then you will understand what it
means to fear the Lord, and you will gain knowledge of God."
 ‫( ְּת בּוָנ ה‬tevunah): Means "understanding" or "intelligence."
o Example: Proverbs 8:1 (NLT) - "Listen as Wisdom calls out! Hear
as understanding raises her voice!"
  New Testament (Greek):
 σοφία (sophia): Means "wisdom" or "insight."
o Example: James 1:5 (NLT) - "If you need wisdom, ask our
generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you
for asking."
 φρόνησις (phronēsis): Means "prudence" or "practical wisdom."
o Example: Ephesians 1:8 (NLT) - "He has showered his kindness on
us, along with all wisdom and understanding."
Cultural and Historical Context
 Old Testament Context: Wisdom literature in the Old Testament, such as
Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Job, provides practical and moral teachings for
living a godly life.
o Example: The Proverbs of Solomon emphasise practical life skills, moral
behavior, and the fear of the Lord as the beginning of wisdom.
 New Testament Context: The New Testament highlights the role of the Holy
Spirit in imparting wisdom and the teachings of Jesus as the ultimate source of
divine wisdom.
o Example: The teachings of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew
5-7) provide wisdom for righteous living.
Theological Implications
 Fear of the Lord: True wisdom begins with a reverent fear of the Lord and a
deep respect for His commandments.
o Example: Proverbs 9:10 emphasises that the fear of the Lord is the
foundation of wisdom.
 Divine Source: Wisdom is a gift from God, accessible through prayer and a
relationship with Him.
o Example: James 1:5 encourages believers to ask God for wisdom,
promising that He will give generously.
 Practical Application: Believers are encouraged to apply wisdom in their
daily lives, making decisions that reflect God’s will and character.
Key Bible Verses about Wisdom
 James 1:5: "If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to
you. He will not rebuke you for asking."
 Proverbs 2:6: "For the Lord grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge
and understanding."
 Proverbs 3:5-6: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your
own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which
path to take."
 Colossians 1:9: "So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard
about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give
you spiritual wisdom and understanding."
 Daniel 2:21: "He controls the course of world events; he removes kings and
sets up other kings. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the
scholars."
 Colossians 2:3: "In him lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and
knowledge."
 Proverbs 1:7: "Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools
despise wisdom and discipline."
 Proverbs 4:7: "Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do! And whatever
else you do, develop good judgment."
 Ecclesiastes 2:26: "God gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy to those who
please him. But if a sinner becomes wealthy, God takes the wealth away and
gives it to those who please him. This, too, is meaningless—like chasing the
wind."
 Ephesians 5:15-17): "So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like
those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.
Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do."
 Psalm 32:8: "The Lord says, 'I will guide you along the best pathway for your
life. I will advise you and watch over you.'"
 Ephesians 1:17: "Asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to
give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your
knowledge of God."
 Psalm 111:10: "Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true wisdom. All who
obey his commandments will grow in wisdom. Praise him forever!"
 1 Corinthians 1:30: "God has united you with Christ Jesus. For our benefit,
God made him to be wisdom itself. Christ made us right with God; he made us
pure and holy, and he freed us from sin."
Biblical Examples of Seeking Wisdom
 Solomon:
o Example: Solomon asked God for wisdom to govern the people of Israel
(1 Kings 3:7-9).
o Action: God granted Solomon unparalleled wisdom, making him
renowned for his wise judgments (1 Kings 3:10-12).
 Daniel:
o Example: Daniel sought God’s wisdom through prayer and fasting
when interpreting dreams and visions (Daniel 2:17-19).
o Action: God revealed mysteries to Daniel, demonstrating His wisdom
and power (Daniel 2:20-23).
 Moses:
o Example: Moses sought God’s guidance and wisdom when leading the
Israelites out of Egypt and through the wilderness.
o Action: God provided Moses with wisdom through direct
communication, the Ten Commandments, and ongoing guidance
(Exodus 18:15-16; Exodus 20).
 Paul:
o Example: Paul sought wisdom in how to effectively spread the Gospel
and address issues within the early church.
o Action: Through prayer and reliance on the Holy Spirit, Paul wrote
letters of wisdom and instruction to various churches (Acts 22:10; 1
Corinthians 1:18-25).
 Joseph:
o Example: Joseph sought God’s wisdom in interpreting Pharaoh's
dreams and managing the resources of Egypt.
o Action: God granted Joseph the wisdom to save Egypt and surrounding
nations from famine (Genesis 41:15-16, 38-39).
Praying the Scriptures
Dear Heavenly Father,
I seek Your presence today, with a humble heart, seeking Your infinite wisdom and
guidance. Your Word reassures me that if I need wisdom, I should ask You, our
generous God, and You will give it to me without rebuke (James 1:5).
Lord, I lift up my request for godly wisdom in __________. I know that You grant
wisdom, and from Your mouth come knowledge and understanding (Proverbs 2:6).
Help me to trust in You with all my heart and not depend on my own understanding.
In all my ways, I seek Your will, and I believe that You will show me which path to take
(Proverbs 3:5-6).
As I navigate through the challenges and decisions I face, remind me that in You lie
hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Colossians 2:3). Guide me along
the best pathway for my life, advising and watching over me (Psalm 32:8).
I pray that You, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, will give me spiritual
wisdom and insight so that I might grow in my knowledge of You (Ephesians 1:17).
Getting wisdom is the wisest thing I can do, and I seek to develop good judgment in
[insert specific areas or situations you want to develop good judgment in] (Proverbs
4:7).
Lord, I acknowledge that the fear of the Lord is the foundation of true wisdom. Help
me to obey Your commandments and grow in wisdom, praising You forever (Psalm
111:10). I am grateful that through Christ Jesus, You have made wisdom itself
available to me, making me right with You, pure and holy, and free from sin (1
Corinthians 1:30).
Thank You for hearing my prayer and for the assurance that You are with me every
step of the way. I am grateful for Your wisdom and the peace that comes from
knowing that You are in control.
In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
Practical Steps for Biblical Wisdom
Daily Practices:
 Prayer: Regularly ask God for wisdom in your daily prayers. "If you need
wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke
you for asking" (James 1:5).
 Study the Scriptures: Dedicate time each day to read and meditate on the
Bible. "Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path" (Psalm
119:105).
 Seek Godly Counsel: Consult with trusted spiritual mentors or mature
Christians for advice. "Plans go wrong for lack of advice; many advisers bring
success" (Proverbs 15:22).
 Apply Biblical Principles: Implement the teachings of the Bible in your daily
life. "Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person
who builds a house on solid rock" (Matthew 7:24).
Character Development:
 Live with Integrity: Strive for honesty and righteousness in all areas of life.
"Honesty guides good people; dishonesty destroys treacherous people"
(Proverbs 11:3).
 Cultivate a Fear of the Lord: Develop a deep reverence for God. "Fear of
the Lord is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in
good judgment" (Proverbs 9:10).
 Practice Humility: Acknowledge your limitations and be open to learning.
"Pride leads to disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom" (Proverbs 11:2).
Relational Practices:
 Pursue Peace and Harmony: Strive to be a peacemaker and maintain
harmonious relationships. "But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is
also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others" (James
3:17).
 Seek Community Support: Join a Bible study group or church community for
support and accountability. "Plans go wrong for lack of advice; many advisers
bring success" (Proverbs 15:22).
Continual Growth:
 Commit to Ongoing Learning: Regularly engage with spiritual growth
resources. "Let the wise listen to these proverbs and become even wiser. Let
those with understanding receive guidance" (Proverbs 1:5).
 Reflect on Your Actions: Evaluate your decisions and actions in light of
biblical wisdom. "Instead, let us test and examine our ways. Let us turn back
to the Lord" (Lamentations 3:40).

Encouragement
Remember that seeking wisdom is a lifelong journey and a vital part of the Christian
faith. Trust in God’s promise to provide wisdom generously. Engage in the practices
discussed, seek community support, and immerse yourself in God’s Word. Together,
we can grow in wisdom and live lives that honour God.