This was probably the first really nice day where you could go outside and take your shirt off and be comfortable. I love summer. When Jill got home we took a nice bike ride but as the sun was setting it got much colder, so we stopped at the local graveyard and had a nice dinner for two. It wasn’t morbid at all.
Tonight as I was praying I realized I needed wisdom for many different upcoming decisions. Being the analytical thinker that I am, I stopped to figure out what wisdom means. The Bible places a very high value on wisdom:
“Coral and jasper are not worthy of mention; the price of wisdom is beyond rubies.” -Job 28:18
“Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding…” -Proverbs 3:13
“Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.” -Proverbs 4:7
“…for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her.” -Proverbs 8:11
This is just a sample! There’s lots more like this. Along with these many exhortations about wisdom, we find a promise:
“If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” -James 1:5
Nice! That’s a great promise. Now, to define wisdom… Firstly, there seems to be two types: The wisdom of the world and the wisdom of God.
“For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight.” -1Cor 3:19
“Such ‘wisdom’ does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil” -James 3:15
“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.” -James 3:17
I assume that the former set of verses is talking about this second kind of wisdom. Here’s my little definition. Wisdom is “sight beyond sight” that allows us to see through God’s eyes and decide or act accordingly. This is of course impossible for man alone to do – we are limited by a very narrow view of the whole picture when we make decisions. But by gaining godly wisdom we are able to choose the right decision – regardless of our own worthless opinions. How do I know if I’m exhibiting this kind of wisdom? It’s right there above – I will be peace-loving, considerate, submissive, merciful, etc.
I was thinking about the WWJD paraphernalia. It’s a dangerous question that I think we get wrong a lot of the time. Jesus seems to be rather unpredictable until you know him extremely well, and even then we have trouble agreeing on what he would really do sometimes. I guess that’s where the godly wisdom comes in?
I’ve met just a few people in my life who seem to possess this kind of wisdom. It’s habitual for them. From years of familiarity with the Bible, talking with God, and wise counsel, they are able to almost reflexively include God in every decision. And they clearly exude the above qualities from that verse in James.
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