What is wisdom? The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines wisdom as the “a: ability to discern inner qualities and relationships : INSIGHT b: good sense : JUDGEMENT c: generally accepted belief d: accumulated philosophical or scientific learning : KNOWLEDGE” The Bible tells us that we are to seek wisdom and that the wise person seeks knowledge. “The mind of the discerning acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks it.” (Proverbs 18:15 CSB) One bumper sticker has this caption, “Wise Men still seek Him.”
Wise people seek knowledge, the more they know of or about something, the better decisions they can make. Matthew Henry states in his commentary, “Those that are prudent will seek knowledge, and apply their ear and heart to the pursuit of it, their ear to attend to the means of knowledge and their heart to mix faith with what they hear and make a good improvement of it. Those that are prudent do not think they have prudence enough, but still see they have need of more; and the more prudent a man is the more inquisitive will he be after knowledge, the knowledge of God and his duty, and the way to heaven, for that is the best knowledge.”
Where do we find knowledge to help us be wise in our daily affairs and lives? The first place we as Believers need to go is straight to God’s Word. Jesus told His disciples, “Seek and ye shall find.” (Luke 11:9 KJV) When we go straight to Jesus searching for knowledge and wisdom, He will give it to us. Matthew Henry’s commentary says, “Those that prudently seek knowledge shall certainly get knowledge, for God never said to such, Seek in vain, but, Seek and you shall find. If the ear seeks it, the heart gets it, and keeps it, and is enriched by it. We must get knowledge, not only into our heads, but into our hearts, get the savour and relish of it, apply what we know to ourselves and experience the power and influence of it.”
When we come up against a problem in our lives, sometimes we can also go to someone who has been through the same thing. Their experiences can help us in determining the best course of action to take. Maybe they have gone through a hard time because of poor decisions. That can help us not make those same mistakes and keep us from going down a road of destruction. When we ask God for help and He directs us to a friend who has experience with the same problem, God gives us an avenue to obtain knowledge to make wise decisions.
Knowledge of God’s Word also helps us Spiritually. “For if you cry out for insight, And raise your voice for understanding; If you seek her as silver And search for her as for hidden treasures; Then you will understand the fear the Lord, And discover the knowledge of God.” (Psalm 2:3-5 NASB) When we ask God for understanding of His Word, He will grant us that understanding, and in gaining that understanding, we know more about God and His ways. God wants us to know Him more intimately therefore, we can discern His guidance in our lives.
As we know God more, we can distinguish His Voice from all the other voices we hear daily. Hosea 6:3 should be the heart-cry of every Believer today. “Let’s strive to know the Lord, His appearance is as sure as the dawn, He will come to us like the rain, like the spring showers that water the land.” (CSB) He wants us to come to Him, asking for knowledge to make wise decisions, and to know His character better. When we seek Him with all our heart, God promises we will find Him, (Jeremiah 29:13) and He will impart knowledge and wisdom to us.
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