The "Who" of Biblical Wisdom
Spiritual Questions with Scriptural Answers (Part 1).
This writer is a 2018 graduate of the Memphis School of Preaching. MSOP is a two-year preacher training school located in Memphis, TN. Since 1966, MSOP has been training men to preach the Gospel (2 Tim. 2:2; 4:2).
It is an honor to be an alumnus of the school and each year this writer looks forward to the MSOP Lectureship. It is always held during the last week of March so it is rapidly approaching! The theme for this year’s lectureship is, “Who is Wise? A Study of Wisdom.”
In preparation for attending the lectureship, this writer has decided to write a series of articles on this Biblical topic. Our goal will be to examine the “Five W’s of Wisdom”: “Who,” “What,” “When,” “Why,” and “Where.” May all who read have a better understanding and appreciation for wisdom and apply what is gleaned to their lives to the glory of God!
In this first article in the series, we will examine the “Who” of wisdom.
Wisdom comes from God.
The Bible clearly teaches that true and good wisdom comes from God. Consider the following passages:
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments. His praise endures forever” (Psa. 111:10).
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction” (Prov. 1:7).
“For the Lord gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding; He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk uprightly” (Prov. 2:6-7).
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding” (Prov. 9:10).
“God is wise in heart and mighty in strength” (Job 9:4a).
“Who is wise? Let him understand these things. Who is prudent? Let him know them. For the ways of the Lord are right; The righteous walk in them, But transgressors stumble in them” (Hos. 14:9).
“To God our Savior, Who alone is wise, Be glory and majesty, Dominion and power, Both now and forever. Amen” (Jude 25).
All of the above passages from God’s Word teach us that true wisdom comes from God and those who fear Him and keep His commandments can obtain wisdom.
The one who is wise is the one who humbly submits to the will of God and practices righteousness (1 John 2:29; 3:7).
It is wise to know the will of the Lord and then put it into practice: "See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is” (Eph. 5:15-17).
Applying God’s wisdom to our lives.
The Bible also shows the importance of applying the “wisdom from above” as opposed to displaying the “wisdom (or foolishness, emp. Mine DS) from below.”
Notice what James wrote by inspiration:
“Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But the wisdom that is from above is frst pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy” (Jas. 3:13-17).
The qualities of true wisdom not only apply to the wisdom itself, but to God Who is pure and right! If we apply the wisdom from above to our lives, then we will be wise as God would have us to be.
This article lays the foundation for our study on the Biblical topic of wisdom. We have learned that God is wise and those who fear Him and put into practice what He says to do will also be wise.
Next time, we will examine the question, “What is wisdom?”
Drew Suttles is a minister for the Quitman church of Christ in Quitman, Georgia, and one of my best friends in this world. They live-stream all their Bible classes and sermons on their YouTube channel.
Drew also hosts the “Weathering the Storm” podcast on the Scattered Abroad Network. Drew talks about facing life’s challenges as a child of God. His podcast will be a blessing to your life.
 | A guest post by
|