What is Biblical Wisdom?
What do you think of when you picture someone “wise”?
- A philosopher?
- Someone old and experienced?
- An owl?
- Something else?
1) Biblical wisdom is derived from the fear of the Lord
Proverbs 1:1-7 “1 The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel: 2 for gaining wisdom and instruction; for understanding words of insight; 3 for receiving instructions in prudent behavior, doing what is right and just and fair; 4 for giving prudence to those who are simple, knowledge and discretion to the young - 5 let the wise listen and add to their learning and let the discerning get guidance - 6 for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise. 7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
- These verses are the opening to the book of Proverbs, one of the “wisdom literature” books of the Bible. These are fundamental verses in this wisdom book. They not only give an introduction, but they explain where all knowledge (and wisdom) originates or starts from: the fear of the Lord.
- What is the fear of the Lord?
This is essentially another way of saying that we need to have awe and reverence for God’s supreme majesty, holiness, and power. This is not something that will distance us from God. Fearing the Lord does not mean that we run from Him scared, it means that we should draw closer to Him in trust and worship.
The end result of fear of the Lord is that we end up loving what He loves (truth, grace, and mercy) and hating what He hates (sin).
2) As the Creator, God is the ultimate source of wisdom.
Romans 11:33-36 “Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!”
- If we desire to grow in wisdom, we need to seek the Lord for it since He is the source of all true wisdom! As the all-knowing, all-seeing, omnipresent creator, God should be our go-to place for seeking wisdom and guidance.
3) God is willing to give His wisdom to anyone who seeks it!
James 1:5 “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”
- God gives freely and generously to those who earnestly desire to grow closer to Him.
Worldly (human) wisdom vs Biblical (Godly) wisdom
Characteristics of wisdom:
James 3:13-17 “13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. 17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.”
- This passage of scripture gives characteristics of Godly wisdom vs earthly (or human) wisdom.
- Godly wisdom - Characterized as pure, peace-loving, considerate, submissive, merciful, impartial and sincere. It is also evident by our actions and humility.
- Earthly wisdom - Characterized as envious, selfish, ambitious, and disordered.
- God’s wisdom is revealed to us by the Spirit of God. It is not found in a textbook or something to be learned by studying the physical world.
1 Corinthians 2:6-10 “6 We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. 7 No, we declare God’s wisdom, a mystery that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. 8 None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9 However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived” - the things God has prepared for those who love him - 10 these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit.”
- Chasing “success” (earthly wisdom) vs chasing the heart of God (Godly wisdom)
Practical points from Proverbs 1-2
1) Beware of following the actions of sinful people (Proverbs 1:10-19)
- Have you ever heard the saying “you become who you hang out with”? Or maybe, “show me your friends and I’ll show you your future”? As it turns out, there is Biblical wisdom in those sayings!
Proverbs 1:10, 18-19 “10 My son, if sinful men entice you, do not give in to them…18 These men lie in wait for their own blood; they ambush only themselves! 19 Such are the paths of all who go after ill-gotten gain; it takes away the life of those who get it.”
- These verses highlight how pursuing gain through sinful means only ends up hurting you in the end. Additionally, we need to be careful about the influence that we allow people to have over our lives.
2) Live in wisdom and the fear of the Lord (Proverbs 1:20-33)
Proverbs 1:28-31 “28 Then they will call to me but I will not answer; they will look for me but will not find me, 29 since they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the Lord. 30 Since they would not accept my advice and spurned my rebuke, 31 they will eat the fruit of their ways and be filled with the fruit of their schemes.”
- These verses describe the results of spurning wisdom and turning your back on the fear of the Lord. Essentially it spells out what prideful hearts receive when they are hardened to the truth that the Lord has to offer.
3) Benefits of seeking wisdom (Proverbs 2)
- Understanding the fear of the Lord and finding the knowledge of God
- Having moral understanding (discerning what is right, just, and fair)
- Wisdom, discretion, and understanding will protect and guard you
Proverbs 2:20-22 “20 Thus you will walk in the ways of the good and keep to the paths of the righteous. 21 For the upright will live in the land, and the blameless will remain in it; 22 but the wicked will be cut off from the land, and the unfaithful will be torn from it.”
