Wisdom, particularly spiritual wisdom, entails not just knowing what is good for you, but also putting that information into practice. When you do that, you'll know you've reached the pinnacle of wisdom.
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How do you gain spiritual wisdom?
The first and most crucial thing to understand about intelligence is that it originates with God. Psalm 111:10 NLT says that when we fear the Lord, we will find the “beginning of genuine wisdom,” and that when we obey God, we will “grow in wisdom.”
Doesn't that make a lot of sense? The majority of parents expect their children to follow their commands. Why? Because they can see the road ahead of them, whilst the youngster cannot. Children gain wisdom as they obey their parents and learn that what their parents tell them to do is ultimately for their own good. Our Heavenly Father is the same way: He sees what's coming and knows what's best.
Demonstrate your wisdom and understanding of God's ways by living an honorable life and completing good works with the humility that comes with wisdom. But don't cover up the reality with boasting and lying if you're deeply jealous and have selfish ambition in your heart. Jealousy and selfishness, on the other hand, are not God's wisdom. Such things are satanic, worldly, and unspiritual. Because where there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there is chaos and evil of all kinds. However, the wisdom from on high is first and foremost pure. It is also a peacemaker who is always compassionate and prepared to yield to others. It is brimming with mercy and the fruit of righteous deeds. It is always truthful and does not exhibit favoritism.
Let's truly chew on this paragraph since it's full with wonderful realities for us. When we demonstrate godly wisdom, we are:
Our old self will be transformed into the redeemed person God is asking us to become as we learn and grow as followers of Jesus. People around us will not always understand how we are growing in wisdom with God. However, we may put God's insights into practice and impact those around us as we understand them.
A man named Solomon was one of Israel's kings. He was the son of David, a well-known biblical figure. “Solomon became king and sat on the throne of David his father, and his dominion was securely entrenched,” 1 Kings 2:12 says of King David's death.
King Solomon has a mixed reputation, some of which is positive and part of which is negative. The good news is that he truly loved and worshipped God. The bad news is that he continued to worship false gods and amassed 700 wives and concubines. Despite his flaws, this monarch did something so outstanding that he was given the title of wisest man.
There's a story about King Solomon and a dream he experienced in 1 Kings 3. The LORD appeared to Him in this dream and questioned, “What do you want?” I'll give it to you if you ask!” (1 Kings 3:5 New Living Translation)
Solomon could have responded in a variety of ways when the God of the universe asked him what he desired. His remark, on the other hand, was everything but conventional. He began by honoring God and worshiping Him. Then, in 1 Kings 3:79, he made an unexpected request:
“Now, O Lord my God, you have made me king instead of my father, David, but I am like a small child who has no idea where he is going.” And now I'm in the midst of your chosen people, a nation so large and numerous that it's impossible to count! Give me a compassionate heart so that I can properly lead your people and distinguish between good and wrong…”
Solomon's heart was firmly set on leading the country, but he recognized that he would require God's wisdom to do so effectively. Solomon's response delighted God because he could have asked for anything, including power, money, and fame. He, on the other hand, did not. As a result, God bestowed upon him not only intellect beyond that of anybody before him, but also riches and prominence. Can you imagine it?
This story exemplifies how important and beneficial wisdom is. A king who ruled an entire nation had the option of asking God for anything, but he chose wisdom. He saw that wisdom would benefit not just his own life, but also the lives of those he led. Walking in God's wisdom will help us make judgments that will safeguard and maintain us in a world where good and bad seem to be mixed up.
Consider your life and the things that are important to you. Is it the world's treasures, or having divine understanding so that you might live a victorious life on this planet? Simply be honest with God, and if you don't see the importance in having wisdom in your life, ask God to show you His truth.
Where does wisdom come from?
Wisdom comes from God, according to King Solomon: “For the Lord gives wisdom; from His lips come knowledge and understanding.” 2:6 is a verse from the book of Proverbs. And one can live a better life with God's wise assistance: “He keeps prosperity in reserve for the upright, he is a shield for those who walk blamelessly, for he defends the track of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones.” Proverbs 2:7-8 is a passage from the book of Proverbs. “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; submit to him in all your ways, and he will make straight your pathways.” Proverbs 3:5-6 is a passage from the book of Proverbs. Solomon essentially asserts that with God's wisdom, one will be able to achieve prosperity and happiness in life.
In Proverbs, there are several similarities between what God loves, which is smart, and what God does not love, which is foolish. “The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, but He loves him who pursues righteousness,” says Proverbs in the field of good and evil behavior (Proverbs 15:9). “A false balance is an abomination to the Lord, but a just weight is His delight,” it is said in reference to fairness and business (Proverbs 11:1; cf. 20:10,23). “Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord,” it is written, “but those who deal truly are His delight” (12:22; cf. 6:17,19). These are some examples of what Solomon considers to be excellent and wise in God's eyes, as opposed to wicked and foolish, and how performing these good and wise things brings one closer to God through living honorably and compassionately.
What is the gift of wisdom?
Commentators have frequently positioned this gift within the greater biblical wisdom tradition, particularly allusions to God's secret insight in 1 Corinthians 2:6-10 and elsewhere in the chapter. Paul's secret wisdom relates to the Gospel he proclaimed. This insight refers to what God had previously kept secret and reserved for believers' glory. It is a wisdom that tells of what God has in store for those who love him. These emphases from the Corinthian letter's larger context could imply that the word of wisdom entails knowledge of God's plan of redemption and the proclamation of Christ crucified.
The word of wisdom has been described as both prophetic and instructive by commentators. The gift is frequently defined among Charismatics as a revelation of the Holy Spirit that applies scripture wisdom to a specific issue that a Christian community is confronted with. Donald Gee, a Pentecostal theologian, believes that “One is acutely aware that the supremely correct thing has been spoken, and the correct path of action has been suggested. No further appeal is required because the heart is at ease in the knowledge that God's will has been revealed “..
Some interpreters translate the term as “teaching of knowledge,” preferring to concentrate on the gift's role in imparting biblical truths. The Catholic Encyclopedia describes it as “the grace of effectively propounding the Faith, of bringing the hidden truths and moral precepts of Christianity home to the minds and hearts of the listener with Divine persuasiveness.” According to Donald Gee,
Occasionally, a revelation in words shines forth, making our hearts burn within us. Many of us have felt the holy awe and exhilarating spirit exaltation that comes with a ministry of the spiritual gift of the word of wisdom along these lines. We have once again identified “not the words that man's wisdom teacheth, but the words that the Holy Ghost teacheth.” And with that understanding has come a genuine gratitude for the fact that the Spirit's wonderful ministrations are still operating in the church.
King Solomon Asks for Wisdom
“The Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream at night at Gibeon, and God said to him, ‘Ask what I shall give you.' And now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of David my father, despite the fact that I am just a small child. I'm not sure how to go out or get in… So give your servant an enlightened mind to control your people, so that I can differentiate between good and evil, because who can govern this huge people?' The fact that Solomon had inquired pleased the Lord. ‘Because you have asked for this, and have not asked for long life, wealth, or the life of your adversaries, but have asked for insight to discern what is right, behold, I now do according to your word,' God responded to him. I grant you a wise and discriminating mind, such that no one like you has ever existed before you, and no one like you will ever come after you.' ESV 1 Kings 3:5, 7, 9-12
God bestows the most valuable gift on us: wisdom. At a young age, God asked Solomon to fulfill a major task. He saw that he needed assistance in learning how to be a good King and care for the realm. Solomon had the option of asking God for money or material possessions, but instead he asked for knowledge. He prayed to God for wisdom and guidance in determining what was right and wrong. God blessed Solomon with this significant gift because he asked for it, and God proceeded to bless him as a successful and prosperous king. Use this story to teach your child that the most valuable gifts God can bestow are wisdom and understanding. When we find ourselves in a circumstance we don't know how to handle, he is ready and eager to provide us with the gift of knowledge to assist us.
The Wise and Foolish Builder
“‘Whoever hears and acts on these words of mine will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.' The rains came, the floods came, the winds blew and hammered on that house, but it did not fall since it was built on the rock. And whomever hears these words of mine but does not put them into practice will be like an idiot who built his house on sand. And the rain came down, and the floods came, and the winds blew and battered on that home, and it fell, and it fell hard.' ESV Matthew 7:24-27
Listening to what Jesus says and then acting on it is wisdom. In this lecture, Jesus informs his followers that a wise man builds his house on solid ground. Many times in the Bible, Jesus is referred to as this rock, the cornerstone of our faith. When we walk with Jesus, he will lead us in knowledge and understanding so that we can build our lives on the solid foundation of his wisdom. Use this narrative to encourage your youngster to always listen to Jesus and the people he has placed in their lives as trusted leaders. We walk in wisdom and bring others to Jesus' truth when we follow him and his ways.
What Wisdom Looks Like
“However, divine wisdom is first pure, then peaceful, mild, open to reason, full of kindness and good fruits, unbiased, and truthful.” ESV James 3:17
When faced with a major decision, we can turn to the Bible for guidance on what wisdom looks like in particular situation. When we follow Jesus, he directs us in the direction of wisdom. First and foremost, wisdom can be found in the Bible. Although the Bible does not clearly tell us what to do in every situation, it does provide us with the traits of wisdom. Use this passage to teach your child about the characteristics of wisdom. Encourage them to ask themselves, “Is this pure?” when faced with a decision. Do I feel at ease? Is this a gentle approach? Will this bear good fruit (or can anything good come from it?)? These rules can assist us in navigating our cognitive processes and making sensible decisions.
Why is wisdom important in life?
You need intelligence for a variety of reasons, the first of which is happiness and contentment. When you make intelligent selections, you consider your present requirements as well as your long-term goals. This is crucial when it comes to choosing decisions that offer you delight. Furthermore, knowledge enables you to contribute more to your community by balancing your needs and boundaries with those of others.
What does wisdom mean in the gifts of the Holy Spirit?
WISDOM. Because wisdom is the pinnacle of faith, it is the first and highest gift of the Holy Spirit. Wisdom enables us to properly appraise the things in which we place our faith.