As a Christian, you have a mighty resource at your disposal—the wisdom of God. Not only can the wisdom of God help you make good decisions in your life, but God’s Word promises that it brings joy, long life, riches and honour. Just look at what King Solomon wrote about wisdom in Proverbs 3:13-18:
Joyful is the person who finds wisdom, the one who gains understanding. For wisdom is more profitable than silver, and her wages are better than gold. Wisdom is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her. She offers you long life in her right hand, and riches and honour in her left. She will guide you down delightful paths; all her ways are satisfying. Wisdom is a tree of life to those who embrace her; happy are those who hold her tightly (NLT).
Moreover, Solomon goes on to tell us that we should make getting godly wisdom the principal thing (Proverbs 4:7, NKJV). What’s that mean? It means we should make seeking wisdom from the Word of God “first in importance.” If you are struggling with a situation and you seem to be going around and around in circles, not getting anywhere…you need godly wisdom. If you are sick in your physical body, and you can’t seem to get well…you need godly wisdom. If your finances are out of control…you need godly wisdom. No matter what your problem, the wisdom of God, found in His Word, is the place to start.
Below are five amazing truths about the wisdom of God that will help you every day of your life. Study and meditate these truths and begin applying them – you will get wisdom for whatever you’re facing today.
Truth No. 1: God’s Wisdom Is Available to Every Believer
“For God does not show favoritism.” – Romans 2:11 NLT
Every believer has the right to access the blessings of God. He does not give wisdom to some and not to others. He doesn’t withhold any good things from His people. If you desire the wisdom of God regarding any situation or simply as a consistent part of your life (and this is best!), then you can have it. It doesn’t require that you be a Christian for a certain number of years. It isn’t necessary that you get straight A’s on some celestial report card. You don’t have to attend church every time the doors are open or go through some lengthy prayer process. The lack of any of these doesn’t preclude you from receiving God’s wisdom.
Truth No. 2: You Simply Need to Ask for the Wisdom of God
“If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.” – James 1:5 NLT
As a child, did you ever hear the words “you should know better”? Thankfully, that is not the response you will ever hear from God when you ask for wisdom. If you are facing a decision or are questioning how to handle a situation, God will not respond with an eye roll and shake of His head. He will not be disappointed in you for asking or angry that you can’t figure things out on your own. No, His Word promises that if you ask for wisdom, He’ll give it to you.
However, He does have on prerequisite when you ask. Verses 6-7 say:
But when you ask him [for wisdom], be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord (NLT).
What does this mean? It means that when you ask God for wisdom, believe that He is going to give it to you. Take the wisdom of God as soon as you ask for it, and declare that you do not doubt it. Thank the Lord that you receive it, and you have it!
Truth No. 3: God’s Word Is Full of His Wisdom
“For the Lord grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding.”
– Proverbs 2:6 (NLT)
God has already given a lot of wisdom in His Word. Throughout the Bible, you can learn many lessons, such as: how to face adversity with faith, how to handle difficult people, and how to manage your finances, etc. You can learn by reading about others’ interactions with God (i.e. the Israelites, apostles and early Church members) and how He worked in their lives. So, dig into the Word. Study Jesus’ ministry. Study Paul’s journeys. Study Moses’ leadership. Study Solomon’s wisdom. God’s Word is full of insight and advice you can directly apply to your life and the situations you face every day.
When you sit down to study the Word of God, praise the Lord for His wisdom, and thank Him that He gives it to you. Ask Him to grant you wisdom, knowledge and understanding. Ask God to show you how the scriptures you’re reading apply to your life, and how to put them into action.
Truth No. 4: The Wisdom of God and the World’s Wisdom Are NOT the Same
“Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.” – Proverbs 1:7 (NLT)
If you have been following the Lord for longer than two minutes, you know that the world’s ways do not reflect God’s ways. The world will tell you to look out for yourself at the expense of others. The world will tell you that immediate happiness is the most important goal for your life. The world will tell you to do whatever makes you happy. The world will tell you there is no absolute truth. However, God’s wisdom surpasses all of the world’s wisdom.
The truth is that acknowledging and honouring the Lord with your life is the foundation and the start of true wisdom. The world chooses not to fear the Lord, so its wisdom is limited to man’s thinking. This is how the Lord puts it:
“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.” – Isaiah 55:8-9 (NLT)
As a child of God, He wants you to understand His ways and thoughts, so you can apply His wisdom to your life. But to the people in the world who reject Him, His wisdom is much higher than theirs. So, if you are seeking God’s wisdom, recognize that you may have to relinquish what is commonly accepted by everyone else. Family, friends and co-workers may look at you sideways, but trust that God’s way is best.
Truth No. 5: The Enemy Will Try to Distract You from the Wisdom of God
“Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.” – 1 Peter 5:8 (NLT)
The enemy will do his best to confuse you about following God’s wisdom by reminding you of past mistakes or competing options. Therefore, it’s necessary to get quiet before the Lord by spending time in Bible study and prayer. When the enemy comes at you with condemnation for past mistakes or confusion because the Lord is leading you in an unconventional direction, use the Word to combat him. It’s also wise to speak with trusted, mature believers, possibly a pastor at your church, small group leader or a spiritual mentor.
Wisdom is the principal thing, and these five truths will help you navigate from the small to the big issues of everyday life. Remember, if you seek the wisdom of God—if you want to have it—then you can count on receiving it. God won’t withhold wisdom from you. You simply need to ask Him for it. Then spend time in His Word, in prayer and listening to His Holy Spirit, understanding that His way may look different from the world’s. Then refuse to let the enemy distract or confuse you. The wisdom you need—God’s wisdom—is available to help you live successfully no matter what you face.
As always, if you need agreement in prayer, please call our prayer ministers at 1-877-480-3388 or submit a prayer request. We’re here for you!