What if someone were to tell you that they knew of something that was more valuable than any mineral, house, land, money, or position? And what if they told you that it was free and instantly available to you? What if this thing would benefit you in all areas of your life? Would you be interested in knowing more about it? Would you want some of it in your life? Would you want to tell everyone about it? If you answered yes to any of these questions then read on because that is what this article is about.
We will be looking at several things about wisdom. We will see its great value, availability, and power. We will investigate how one receives it and appropriates it in daily life. We will be looking specifically at the first few chapters in the book of Proverbs as well as passages from other places. We will look at Solomon’s use of wisdom, how he received it and how at the end of his life he turned from it. We will look at several individuals in the Bible who had great wisdom and how it affected them.
WISDOM – WHAT IS IT?
Proverbs 1:1-7 “The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel: To know wisdom and instruction, to perceive the words of understanding, to receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, judgment, and equity; to give prudence to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion — A wise man will hear and increase learning, and a man of understanding will attain wise counsel, to understand a proverb and an enigma, the words of the wise and their riddles. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
In these verses, there are three words that are significant to our study and they appear numerous times in the book of Proverbs. They are knowledge, understanding, and wisdom. Let’s look at their definitions.
Knowledge – to perceive with certainty, to understand clearly, to have a clear and certain perception of truth, fact, or anything that exists.
He is saying that for one to have knowledge of something means that he has a perception of something that exists. The Scriptures give us more help with understanding knowledge in the following passages.
Proverbs 1:7 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” While knowledge can be gained from many sources, the best place to begin is with a holy fear (awe) of the Lord. If one’s relationship with the Lord is weak or does not exist, the knowledge he has will be incomplete because it is void of a proper foundation. A relationship with the Lord allows the person to interpret what knowledge he has gained in the context of God’s knowledge thereby expanding it to its fullest.
Proverbs 2:6 “For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding;”
Listening to God and His Word is a perfect place to get the knowledge and wisdom that we all desire.
Proverbs 20:15 “There is gold and a multitude of rubies, but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.” Knowledge is more precious than gold and rubies.
Proverbs 22:17 “Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise, and apply your heart to my knowledge;” The only knowledge that is beneficial is knowledge applied! To have a head full of facts is useless if not applied to situations in life. In fact, as the following Scripture shows, to have knowledge without love is to become proud and arrogant.
1 Corinthians 8:1 “We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up (arrogant) but love edifies (builds up).”
Understanding – the faculty of the human mind by which it apprehends the real state of things presented to it, or by which it receives or comprehends the ideas which others express and intend to communicate. Many have knowledge of facts or bits of information but do not comprehend what it means. I remember from high school that pi is 3.14 but knowing that is meaningless to me now. In my life, it serves no useful purpose.
We have understanding when we comprehend, grasp, or get our minds around what is being presented to us. God wants us to have an understanding of Him and His plan for our life. The following Scriptures should help us with this.
Job 32:8 “But there is a spirit in man, and the breath of the Almighty gives him understanding.” This passage shows us that the breath or spirit of God gives us understanding. No doubt, this is the best place to get the understanding in life that we need.
Psalm 111:10 “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all those who do His commandments. His praise endures forever.”
Psalm 119:104 “Through Your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way.”
Proverbs 2:1-5 “My son, if you receive my words, and treasure my commands within you, so that you incline your ear to wisdom, and apply your heart to understanding; yes, if you cry out for discernment, and lift up your voice for understanding, if you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures; then you will understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.
These three passages show us how to get understanding. It is found in God’s Word.
Proverbs 4:7 “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.” For wisdom to be productive it needs understanding as a companion. One may have the wisdom of something but little or no understanding about it, and if so, the potential of wisdom will not be experienced.
Ephesians 1:18 “The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,” The Apostle Paul is praying for the Ephesian Church that they would have spiritual understanding to know the hope of their calling in God. He prayed that they would know their inheritance in God and His inheritance in them. Many Christians know they are born again, and that they have a home in Heaven after they die, but have very little understanding of their position in Christ now in this life. Understanding God’s Word is what gives us that assurance.
Wisdom – the right use or exercise of knowledge; the choice of laudable ends, and of the best means to accomplish something. Another definition that I heard was the ability to live life skillfully.
When thinking about wisdom, one of the first Biblical characters who comes to my mind is Moses. Scriptures say in Acts 7:22, “And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and deeds.” At this point in his life, he was not living in Divine wisdom but that wisdom he had gained while growing up in Egypt. This points out an important truth about wisdom which is: wisdom can be either Godly or Worldly! It can be gotten from natural means or supernatural means!
Another person referred to in the Old Testament who had great wisdom was Bezalel. The Scripture says in Exodus 31:1-5, “Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying: ‘See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, to design artistic works, to work in gold, in silver, in bronze, in cutting jewels for setting, in carving wood, and to work in all manner of workmanship.’” Notice that natural wisdom was imparted supernaturally by the Spirit of God to Bezalel. It can still work that way today!
The premier example of one who lived in wisdom was Jesus Christ. The Prophet Isaiah, while speaking about the Messiah who would come, said in Isaiah 11:2, “The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD.” We see the fulfillment of that prophecy in Luke 2:40 which says, “And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.” Jesus needed wisdom to be the Son of God, Messiah, Savior, and Lord. If He needed it, how much more do we?
THE VALUE OF WISDOM
Proverbs 4:7 “Wisdom is the principal thing: therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.”
A person who sees life from God’s perspective is never left to himself or his circumstances. He is not easily fooled by the world system or evil people. He has the ability to see through the problem to the power behind it.
Some Reasons Why We Need Wisdom
We need wisdom because of deception. The Scriptures tell us that deception will be rampant in the last days. Some will think they are doing a service to God while killing believers. Others will think that they are doing nothing wrong while breaking the commandments of God. Their understanding will be blinded. They are not seeing things from God’s perspective.
We need wisdom because of fear. Fear is also a characteristic of the last days. Because of an inability to see beyond the immediate circumstance, we often allow fear to control our decisions. But with wisdom, we can know how to use the knowledge we possess.
We also need wisdom to grow up spiritually. Just as a child acts like a child, with limited understanding and wisdom, so those who are spiritually immature often act like children (1 Corinthians 13:11). But with wisdom, those circumstances no longer keep us in bondage.
Wisdom Will Keep You
Proverbs 2:10-12 ‘When wisdom enters your heart, and knowledge is pleasant to your soul, discretion will preserve you; understanding will keep you, to deliver you from the way of evil, from the man who speaks perverse things,’ Proverbs 2:16 “To deliver you from the immoral woman, from the seductress who flatters with her words,” Wisdom allows you to see through the veneer that evil men and women often project.
The Value of Wisdom
Proverbs 3:13-18 “Happy is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding; for her proceeds are better than the profits of silver, and her gain more than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies, and all the things you may desire cannot compare with her. Length of days is in her right hand, in her left-hand riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, and happy are all who retain her.”
Look at the comparisons made in these verses:
- Better than silver. The last report I saw showed silver to be worth over $21 per ounce.
- Better than fine gold. Gold was recently selling for over $1240 per ounce.
- More precious than rubies. Rubies known as the king of gemstones often sell for over $100,000.
All of the things that we may think are valuable are nothing when compared to wisdom from God.
Notice some other things that come with wisdom:
- Long life.
- Riches and honor.
- Pleasantness.
- Peace.
- Tree of life.
- Happiness.
Sure seems like something we should pursue!
Other Benefits of Wisdom
Proverbs 4:7-12 “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding. Exalt her, and she will promote you; she will bring you honor when you embrace her. She will place on your head an ornament of grace; a crown of glory she will deliver to you.” Hear, my son, and receive my sayings, and the years of your life will be many. I have taught you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in the right paths. When you walk, your steps will not be hindered, and when you run, you will not stumble.”
If God is at work but we don’t know what He is doing we often become restless and confused. But with understanding, we can be at peace until the final verdict is in. Wisdom and understanding, although different, are very complementary to each other.
Notice the following:
- Promotion is given.
- Honor you.
- Give you grace.
- Give you a crown of glory.
- Your steps will not be hindered.
- You will not stumble.
Sounds like one who lives in the wisdom of God will have a victorious life!
Solomon
Solomon ascended to the throne after his father David. He realized that he was in a very difficult position. He exhibited great humility when God appeared to him in a dream asking what he wanted God to do for him. Notice the following passage:
1 Kings 3:5-14 ‘At Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, “Ask! What shall I give you?” And Solomon said: “You have shown great mercy to Your servant David my father, because he walked before You in truth, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with You; You have continued this great kindness for him, and You have given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day. Now, O LORD my God, You have made Your servant king instead of my father David, but I am a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. And Your servant is in the midst of Your people whom You have chosen, a great people, too numerous to be numbered or counted. Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge these great people of Yours?” The speech pleased the LORD, that Solomon had asked this thing. Then God said to him: “Because you have asked this thing, and have not asked long life for yourself, nor have asked riches for yourself, nor have asked the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern justice, behold, I have done according to your words; see, I have given you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has not been anyone like you before you, nor shall any like you arise after you. And I have also given you what you have not asked: both riches and honor so that there shall not be anyone like you among the kings all your days. So if you walk in My ways, to keep My statutes and My commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days.”
Because he asked for wisdom and an understanding heart, God gave it to him plus the other things that he did not ask for.
1 Kings 4:25 “And Judah and Israel dwelt safely, each man under his vine and his fig tree, from Dan as far as Beersheba, all the days of Solomon.”
1 Kings 4:29-30 “And God gave Solomon wisdom and exceedingly great understanding, and largeness of heart like the sand on the seashore. Thus Solomon’s wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the men of the East and all the wisdom of Egypt.”
1 Kings 4:32 “He spoke three thousand proverbs, and his songs were one thousand and five.”
1 Kings 4:34 “And men of all nations, from all the kings of the earth who had heard of his wisdom, came to hear the wisdom of Solomon.”
Is wisdom profitable in this life? I think Solomon would give a hearty “yes”!
AVAILABILITY OF WISDOM
God is involved, in one way or the other, in all that we do. He is either leading us with His Word and Spirit or He is attempting to do so. He is trying to get us to seek out and receive His wisdom in the decisions we are making and the directions we are going. He wants us to live out of His wisdom. He wants us to live life skillfully, and victoriously.
Innate Desire for Wisdom
From creation, there has been a desire in us for wisdom. Eve expressed this in the Garden of Eden when she saw the forbidden tree. Notice Genesis 3:6, “So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate.”
That same desire for wisdom was expressed by Pharaoh in Egypt when Joseph told him about the seven years of plenty and the seven years of famine and what should be done to prepare for them (Gen. 41:39).
When Moses was going to appoint leaders over the Israelites he told the congregation to find men who were full of wisdom (Deut.1:13).
When the first-century church was preparing to appoint deacons, the requirements were that they should have a good reputation, and be full of the Spirit and wisdom (Acts 6:3).
Availability of Wisdom
Whatever God commands or desires for us He makes available to us. If He wants us to live in His wisdom then He makes it readily available. What kind of God would He be to demand something yet refuse to provide it for us? Proverbs 1:20-23 says, “Wisdom calls aloud outside; she raises her voice in the open squares. She cries out in the chief concourses, at the openings of the gates in the city she speaks her words: ‘How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? For scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge. Turn at my rebuke; surely I will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words known to you.’”
The gates of the city were where the city fathers and chief business people sat. It was known as the place where important decisions were made. It was looked upon as the place of wisdom. Here in this passage, Solomon is telling us that in these places wisdom is crying to be heard. It is available in daily life. Certainly, it is available in church on Sunday, but it is equally available on Monday or any other time of the week!
Ways to Get This Wisdom
- A multitude of Counselors – Prov.24:6
- Mentor – 2 Thess.3:7,9
- Life experience – Matt.7:24
- Gift of the Spirit – 1 Cor.12:8
You can get wisdom by consulting with someone who has successfully navigated through the situation that you now face. You can have someone mentor you. Or you can get wisdom through the school of life by living. Or you can get wisdom through a gift of the Spirit which we will talk about in the next section.
What Happens If Wisdom Is Refused
The following verses show that if we refuse God’s wisdom that has been made available to us, He will basically leave us to ourselves and we will suffer the consequences of that decision. Proverbs 1:24-33
“Because I have called and you refused, I have stretched out my hand and no one regarded, because you disdained all my counsel, and would have none of my rebukes, I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your terror comes like a storm, and your destruction comes like a whirlwind when distress and anguish come upon you. “Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently, but they will not find me. Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the LORD, they would have none of my counsel and despised my every rebuke. Therefore they shall eat the fruit of their own way, and be filled to the full with their own fancies. For the turning away of the simple will slay them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them; but whoever listens to me will dwell safely, and will be secure, without fear of evil.”
Sad but so often experienced by many people. One of the worst things that God can do to us is to leave us alone and let us do as we please!
Companions of Wisdom
Proverbs 8:12-21 says, “I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge and discretion. The fear of the LORD is to hate evil; pride and arrogance and the evil way and the perverse mouth I hate. Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom; I am understanding, I have strength. By me kings reign and rulers decree justice. By me princes rule, and nobles, all the judges of the earth. I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently will find me. Riches and honor are with me, enduring riches and righteousness. My fruit is better than gold, yes than fine gold, and my revenue than choice silver. I traverse the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of justice, that I may cause those who love me to inherit wealth, that I may fill their treasuries.”
Notice several things that are mentioned in this passage that are companions to wisdom. They are prudence, knowledge, discretion, counsel, strength, understanding, riches, righteousness, justice, wealth, and a full treasury. So, wisdom is not just for wisdom’s sake, it comes as a full package. It is associated with these other things that God also wants to be in our life. The reason they are included is that He wants us to live in such a way to advance His Kingdom. All of these things are necessary to do so.
Seek For Wisdom
The promise was made in verse 17 of the previous passage that “I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently will find me.” It is up to us to seek wisdom. It is available but not automatically in our life. The promise is that if we seek diligently we will find wisdom.
What Keeps Us From God’s Wisdom
- Not seeking it.
- Living according to what the senses tell us.
- Having no understanding – Prov.4:7
We are told to get wisdom and with all our effort to get understanding. For wisdom to be most productive, we need its companion which is understanding.
The Limitations of Wisdom
It cannot keep us from the consequences that occur when we reject it! Solomon was the wisest man on earth as has been shown in previous passages. Yet, later in life, he turned from that wisdom. This occurred over time as he made alliances with heathen kings. As part of those agreements he often took the heathen king’s daughter as his wife. He accumulated several hundred of them. The Scripture says that they turned his heart away from God. Close to the end of his life he looked back and recorded the following remarks, Ecclesiastes 1:16-17 “I communed with my heart, saying, “Look, I have attained greatness, and have gained more wisdom than all who were before me in Jerusalem. My heart has understood great wisdom and knowledge. “And I set my heart to know wisdom and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also is grasping for the wind.”
Ecclesiastes 2:10-11 “Whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I did not withhold my heart from any pleasure, for my heart rejoiced in all my labor; and this was my reward from all my labor. Then I looked on all the works that my hands had done and on the labor in which I had toiled, and indeed all was vanity and grasping for the wind. There was no profit under the sun.”
If this is possible for one as great as Solomon, it is certainly possible for you and me. We must seek and accept the wisdom that God makes available to us. Wisdom without a relationship with the Lord is limited, unfulfilling, and can be abused. It appears that later in life Solomon no longer held himself accountable to the same standard as he did in the early years.
THE GIFT OF THE WORD OF WISDOM
God has wisdom about everything. Since He is Lord and Creator, He knows everything about everything. As we seek Him and make ourselves available to Him, He can give us the wisdom we need on any subject. He will allow us to see things from His perspective.
While Divine Wisdom May Come Through a Natural Means – A Gift of a Word of Wisdom Comes Supernaturally
In 1 Corinthians 12:8-10, the Scripture mentions nine gifts that are often referred to as Charismatic grace gifts. Three of them reveal something – a gift of the word of knowledge, gift of the word of wisdom and discerning of spirits – three are power gifts – gifts of healing, gift of miracles, gift of faith – three are vocal gifts – a gift of prophecy, gift of tongues and the interpretation of tongues.
In that list, we have the gift of the word of wisdom. This gift shows us how to use knowledge correctly. While wisdom about a natural thing or something spiritual can be gained through study, counsel from a friend, or life experience, the gift of the word of wisdom comes supernaturally. It is a fragment of God’s overall wisdom about a specific thing. It is imparted by the Spirit of God internally in the person’s spirit. It may come through the study of the Scripture, dream, vision, as a result of the anointing of the Spirit, in connection with one of the other gifts of the spirit, or a knowing in your spirit, etc. Regardless of the way it comes, it is the Holy Spirit who is giving it.
Biblical Examples
I have chosen two examples to illustrate how it works.
Elisha – The king of Israel, Judah, and Edom were in league against the Moabites. As they came to meet the Moabites they had no water. They were very discouraged for it seemed that God had delivered them into the hands of the Moabites. Jehoshaphat, the king of Israel, asked for a prophet. They brought him to Elisha. As the musicians played, the anointing of God came on Elisha and he said in 2 Kings 3:16-19, “Thus says the LORD: ‘Make this valley full of ditches.’ For thus says the LORD: ‘You shall not see wind, nor shall you see rain; yet that valley shall be filled with water, so that you, your cattle, and your animals may drink.’ And this is a simple matter in the sight of the LORD; He will also deliver the Moabites into your hand. Also, you shall attack every fortified city and every choice city, and shall cut down every good tree, and stop up every spring of water, and ruin every good piece of land with stones.” The next morning when the Moabites looked down into the valley they saw ditches full of water. Because of the way the sun was shining on the water it looked like blood. They assumed that the three kings’ armies had gotten into a fight and killed many of their soldiers and ran to the camp to get the spoils. When the Moabites got to the camp the soldiers of Judah, Israel and Edom rose up against them and defeated them.
This particular gift of the word of wisdom also contained a word of knowledge. This happens frequently. We often separate the gifts for purposes of definition, but in actuality, they often work together. God through Elisha told them what to do and how to do it. He imparted that information when the anointing of God moved on Elisha. The power of God was at work and caused the Moabites to see the water as red.
Agabus – Acts 21:10-14 says, “And as we stayed many days, a certain prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. When he had come to us, he took Paul’s belt, bound his own hands and feet, and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit,’ So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man who owns this belt, and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.'” Now when we heard these things, both we and those from that place pleaded with him not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, “What do you mean by weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” So when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, “The will of the Lord be done.”
Whereas the gift of the word of knowledge works primarily in the past and present; the gift of the word of wisdom works in the present and the future. And since it is in the present and the future, we see a bit of prophecy expressed through it. God was showing Paul what he would face in Jerusalem thereby giving him time to prepare himself for it.
Two Types of Wisdom
James 3:13-17 “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. 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. 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.”
Notice that there is a great difference between the two types of wisdom here. The wisdom of the world comes from a heart that has envy and selfish ambition. James says it is earthly, sensual, and demonic. The results are confusion and every evil thing. On the other hand, the wisdom that comes from God is pure, peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy, and good fruits, without partiality and hypocrisy.
A good tree brings forth good fruit. What is in the heart will be seen outwardly. If you know the type of person you are dealing with, you can expect that the wisdom he will bring forth will be consistent with his character.
Praying for Wisdom
Ephesians 1:15-19 “Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power.” Paul is praying for the Ephesian believers that they might have a spirit of wisdom and revelation to comprehend what God has done for them and what His expectations are for them. This prayer should be prayed by each believer today that He would do the same thing for us.
James 1:5-7 “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 doubt, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord.” What should we do if we find we need greater wisdom? Ask God for it! Too often we go to other places first and then as a last resort, we come limping to God! This passage says that He gives wisdom liberally and will not rebuke you for asking, no matter how many times you ask.
Godly Wisdom Demonstrates the Gospel
1 Corinthians 1:18-24 “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved, it is the power of God. For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.” Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.”
1 Corinthians 2:1 “And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God.”
1 Corinthians 2:4-5 “And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.”
Paul lets the Corinthians know that while he could have come to them with the world’s type of wisdom he refused to do so. He knew that the world’s wisdom would not bring them to Christ. The world’s wisdom is devoid of the power of God. It can only entertain, not reform. Had he come to them in human wisdom their faith would have been in it instead of the power of God.
Asking is only Half of It
If we need wisdom we are told to ask for it in faith. But that is only half of what we need to do. The other half is acting in faith. Supernaturally imparted wisdom will accomplish nothing until it is acted upon. James 1:22 tells us that we need to be “…doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” James 2:17 “Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” We pray for wisdom and God gives it. We step out in faith and use the wisdom given and the will of God is accomplished!