Christian Family Services Ministry

8-28-2018 – A Word to the Wise:  I wonder, is there a simple test for wisdom? How might one know if what they say is wise or foolish?

Wisdom is not knowledge; rather the use of knowledge. Wisdom is power and is capable of transforming mankind. Wisdom benefits all of society. Wisdom is even the primary source of longevity. Wisdom is not religion but requires godly boundaries if it is to be utilized for good. Wisdom flows from the heart but is regulated by the mind. Most women are born with it, few men seek it, and all of us need it.

The purpose of wisdom is to render justice. Wisdom’s purpose is seen in the nature of its creation. According To Proverbs 8:22, wisdom was created by the Lord before the creation of the universe. Moreover, wisdom accompanied the Lord in the creation process. Wisdom is the chief testimony for God’s existence and His intervention in the affairs of men. Now, if all of this seems rather complex –then believe me, it is. The subject of wisdom and its acquisition is a complex subject. Solomon says however, obtaining wisdom surpasses any other goal one could hope to achieve. Ultimately, the wisdom received will glorify the Lord and not ourselves.

We tend to think of wisdom as a thought process rather than a heart process, yet scripture plainly states that wisdom resides in the heart. Wisdom is not related to intelligence, for even the intellectually slow may be wise.

There are three types of wisdom. The first two are of heavenly origin; their source is God. The first type of heavenly wisdom functions in the heart of man and deals with the affairs of men. The second resides in the spirit and is concerned with the affairs of God. The third, is earthly wisdom its source is the devil. James 3:15-16 describes some of the differences between heavenly wisdom and that which is unspiritual.

Silence must reign if one hopes to acquire wisdom. “Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise,” a wise person must be silent. Why is silence so important? Because the tongue is the source of foolishness. To restrain one’s words, to limit them to the bare necessity, is prudent for it limits one’s opportunities to speak inappropriately.

The purpose of silence is to listen. One cannot talk and listen at the same time. Silence is not withdrawal, nor is it inattentiveness. Silence with no intent to speak intensifies the hearing process. Everything we think, feel, or are, eventually comes out our mouths. What a person says gives insight into what motivates that person to change. These jewels are useless if we do not hear them. There is a time to speak, but never before you have heard.

So, what does one listen for? A person’s character is the sum total of all that he thinks. What a person thinks is exhibited in what he says and in what he does. The wise person listens to the flow. Arguing, in contrast is like trying to stop a flood of water. “If a wise man has an argument with a fool, the fool only rages and laughs, and there is no quiet.”

The best way to maintain wisdom is to guard diligently ones response to foolish statements. Silence is the second-most important quality of wisdom following the fear of the Lord. Silence alone may be mistaken for wisdom.

Wisdom is a social gift. It is not given to be exercised on one’s self. It is a gift for the whole community. If a person truly believes, then that faith will be illuminated by the things she does. In the same way if one is wise, wisdom will be shown by her good deeds and wise behavior.

A believers’ good deeds are their heavenly clothing. John describes it in Revelation 19:8. “It was granted her to be clothed with fine linen, bright and pure–for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.” The good things we do here on earth will be apparent in heaven. I suspect that women will be the best-dressed occupants in the hereafter.

Wishing for wisdom is not enough. Wisdom is a treasure more precious than gold and silver. One must search diligently if it is to be found. Once obtained, it must be valued highly. Wisdom cannot be given to or taken from another. A teacher can impart knowledge but not wisdom. Wisdom literature does not give us wisdom. It points the way to wisdom and motivates us to seek it.

James points out that wisdom is from God who gives to all men generously. Asking for wisdom is essential to obtaining it. James also says getting wisdom is means asking in faith. One must believe God will give him what he is asking.