A world of information, expert advice, and a plethora of tools all sit at our fingertips. With abundant sources readily available, we should have plenty of answers to our questions. Yet, most of us agree that although some may be helpful, much information lacks real wisdom or truth. Wisdom lies much deeper than our quick keystroke answers. To find it, we must ask, first of all, what does the Bible say about wisdom?
Where Does the Bible Mention Wisdom?
The Bible says many things which pertain to wisdom and mentions it often. In fact, every book of the Bible proclaims God’s wisdom because every book points to an All Wise God.
The Bible mentions wisdom at least 141 times. It occurs in the wisdom book of Proverbs alone about 41 times. Often contrasted with foolishness or folly, wisdom derives from more than just intellectual knowledge but also refers to character and the ability to live a godly life.
Although some books of the Bible speak more directly than others about wisdom, from creation in Genesis and on through to Revelation, the last book of the Bible, the wisdom of God cannot be mistaken. His character and very nature define wisdom, inviting us to follow its paths and walk its ways set before us through His Word.
Five Old Testament books specifically address many of life’s fundamental questions. Known as wisdom literature, Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Solomon ground the reader in God’s answers to big questions. They address many of the perplexing, paradoxical issues of life, drawing the reader beyond the “why” and turning the focus onto God as the answer.
The Bible’s abundance of wisdom for daily living and times of trial and need fill these five books. But what does the Bible say about wisdom in other books of the Bible?
Moses, in Deuteronomy 4:6, proclaims to Israel that obeying God’s commandments give wisdom to the nation and people of Israel. Daniel and Isaiah spoke of the great wisdom of God high and far above human comprehension. In 2 Timothy 3:15, the Apostle Paul tells Timothy that God’s Word gives wisdom for salvation. James, the brother of Jesus, wrote what wisdom looks like in action, and the Apostle Paul put flesh on wisdom as he pointed to Jesus as the wisdom of God.
How Does the Bible Define Wisdom?
The book of Proverbs most often uses the Hebrew word chokmah to define wisdom. Filled with wise sayings, Proverbs defines wisdom as the ability to judge correctly and apply the best course of action based on knowledge and understanding. Another way to describe wisdom is the moral skill for living revealed through God’s Word, which instructs us about how to act as He desires.
The world’s definition of wisdom contrasts with what the Bible says about wisdom. A foolish person sees the world through a lens colored by their self. A wise person sees things as God does through the lens of His Word. Here are four ways the Bible helps us define true wisdom.
1. The Bible defines wisdom as deriving from a relationship with God Himself. Wisdom originates from reverential awe and submission to the Lord. It comes through a relationship with God, redemptively yielding self in will, heart, and mind to Him. Fear of God is a prerequisite to wisdom.
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.” (Proverbs 9:10 ESV)
Psalm 111:10 repeats the foundation of wisdom being fear of the Lord but adds that practicing godly wisdom also shows good understanding.
2. The Bible defines God as the source of all wisdom. Through God’s Word, we understand that we learn from the source of wisdom to become wise.
“For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.” (Proverbs 2:6 ESV)
After losing everything he had, Job asked, “where wisdom comes from? Where does understanding dwell?” (Job 28:20). In verse 28, he answers his three friends and himself.
“The fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to depart from evil is understanding.” (Job 28:28 NKJV)
3. The Bible defines wisdom by its fruits. Jesus said to his followers that deeds prove wisdom in Matthew 11:19. Other passages from the Bible connect wisdom with humility (Proverbs 11:2). The book of James reaffirms good conduct, and deeds show true wisdom.
“Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom.” (James 3:13 NASB)
James goes on to divide wisdom into very separate ways. James 3:13-18 calls out counterfeit wisdom, which is earthly, sensual, and demonic. It breeds envy, selfish ambition, evil, and confusion.
However, James contrasts this with wisdom from above, and we see in James 3:17 how very different earthly wisdom is from God’s wisdom. James describes godly wisdom as pure, peace-loving, considerate, reasonable, merciful, full of good fruits, impartial, and sincere.
4. The Bible defines wisdom as being rooted in God’s Word.
Psalm 119, the longest chapter in the Bible, describes over and over the value of God’s Word in daily decision-making and godly living. The Psalm knits together knowledge of God’s words with living wisely and demonstrating it through obedience. It defines wisdom as coming from knowing and doing what He says in His Word. Scripture reveals our inward nature, sin, and selfish thoughts. It guides us away from wrong and teaches us righteousness.
The Psalmist praises the blessings of the wisdom the Word brings. It lights our path, gives joy, and provides protection over us.
How Is Wisdom Different from Knowledge?
The question, “what does the Bible say about wisdom?” begs a similar question. Is wisdom different from knowledge, and if so, how? While there are similarities, and we often use wisdom and knowledge interchangeably, they are not the same.
Knowledge deals with information and intellect. Reasoning and experience add to what we know. Wisdom enables us to take that knowledge and make proper judgments and decisions. Skillful application of knowledge demonstrates wisdom.
To know or have knowledge in the Biblical context also includes a relational aspect. Proverbs 1:7 tells us knowledge, like wisdom, begins with the fear of the Lord. Growing in knowledge of God fosters a relationship of love and obedience to Him, which in turn nurtures wisdom.
It’s possible to be knowledgeable about fire yet not apply that knowledge correctly and get burnt. Knowledge understands a bee stings, but wisdom does not disturb the hive. Knowledge knows the speed limit; wisdom applies that knowledge to how fast one drives.
We can gain knowledge about different things through various means, but without true wisdom to apply what we know, we fail to be wise with that knowledge. Proverbs 2:6 tells us both knowledge and understanding come from the mouth of the Lord. Wisdom uses knowledge correctly. It equips us to live according to God’s design and desires.
How Does the Bible Say We Gain Wisdom?
In examining what the Bible says about wisdom, we then wonder how we can gain wisdom. We’ve seen that wisdom belongs to God, so we must first know God to acquire and grow in wisdom.
The Apostle Paul calls Christ the power and wisdom of God (1 Cor. 1:24). This powerful statement means we get wisdom by acknowledging Jesus as God. When we accept Jesus as Savior and claim Him as Lord, we begin our wisdom growth. Scripture says without Christ, we are lost, and sin blocks the pathway to wisdom. Wisdom then begins with the reverential fear of and submission to Christ.
The Bible tells us to pray for wisdom. James 1:5 says if we need wisdom, we should ask God, who will give it generously.
The Bible tells us to pursue wisdom. Proverbs 4:7 tells us to get wisdom. Solomon, credited with these words and considered the wisest man who ever lived, said to seek wisdom like silver and search for it like a hidden treasure (Proverbs 2:4). This spurs us to look for wisdom in all the right places and to scorn the idea that the world offers it. Only God can.
The Bible tells us to value wisdom. Proverbs 16:16 elevates it above riches. Many of us shift focus far too readily to the wisdom of what social media, friends, and experts say. When we look for answers in all the wrong places, we demonstrate the value we place on God’s wisdom.
The Bible tells us to increase in wisdom. Spending time with God, in His Word, prayer, worship, and with His people helps us to grow more like Him. We gain wisdom in His presence.
The magnitude of God’s wisdom cannot be fathomed. The mere idea He gifts wisdom and knowledge to His children boggles the mind.
Jesus told a story about a wise and foolish man. They both built houses. The wise man built on a rock. The foolish man built on sand. When the winds came, the house on the sand fell, but the house on the rock stood strong. Building on the right foundation matters.
We make decisions every day about who to trust and where to go for the answers to our life’s questions. God’s wisdom provides what we truly need. Like the wise one who built on a Rock, with God’s wisdom, we stand strong in our storms of life.
Photo Credit: GettyImages/RomoloTavani
Her love for pasta and all things Italian stems from years of ministry abroad. She’d love to tell you about it over a steaming cup of cappuccino. Connect with Sylvia on her blog, When the House is Quiet, her Facebook page, or Twitter.
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