If anyone of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.’ – James 1:5,17.
There are lots of divine attributes that Father God possesses, many of which are still unknown to most people even after many years of reading the Bible and attending church services. However, of the few ones we know such as His love, mercy, grace, goodness, generosity, power and many others, there is one that seems to be more hidden or subtle than others, and many people do not pay attention to it because it is actually hidden. It is one attribute that mystifies us every time He reveals or manifests Himself to creation. It is silent but powerful, it doesn’t boast of anything but always gets God’s purpose accomplished – whatever it may be.
James talks about this silent but powerful nature of Father God – wisdom – in the first and third chapters of his letter (See James 1:15,17; 3:17). While he does not say explicitly that it is one of God’s most mysterious attributes, there are many other verses of scriptures that show us this truth, some of which are mentioned here.
What is wisdom, really?
James tells us that pure wisdom comes from above and it is only given to those who seek it earnestly from God. But before he starts talking about wisdom, we read of James encouraging folks who were experiencing trials, persecutions, and difficulties to be patient (See James 1:1-2). He finally offered them some counsel and tells them to ask for wisdom from God. There’s a lesson here for us to learn: Every time we are undergoing difficulties, we should consider asking God for wisdom to navigate through them and come out victorious.
If wisdom were gotten through natural means, we would have been counseled to get it that way, but God’s Word says to ask if we really want to be wise. This tells us that wisdom is not the same thing as common sense and it is not academic or scientific knowledge gained in citadels of learning. While I agree that there is a measure/kind of wisdom that can be gained through our exposure to certain information or through the experiences we’ve had in life, true wisdom in its purest form can only be gained from God.
‘But the wisdom that is from above is first pure…’ – James 3:17.
Wisdom is God’s creative ability or ‘gene’, all that He created in the heavens and the earth was by wisdom – such wisdom so deep and so unfathomable that it will take an eternity for us to unravel! The stars of heaven, the moon, the sun, the waters, the mountains, and the hills, with all the beautiful creatures – both great and small – are all products of His wisdom.
‘The LORD possessed me at the beginning of His way, before His works of old. I have been established from everlasting, from the beginning before there was ever an earth. When there were no depths I was brought forth, when there were no fountains abounding with water.’ – Proverbs 8:22-24.
The heavenly gift of wisdom
‘Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.’ – James 1:17.
In many places in scripture, the Bible talks about folks who received the gift of wisdom from God and how they used it to influence their world. In Exodus, we read of a man by the name of Bezalel whom God gave wisdom to accomplish an otherwise difficult task. God needed a tabernacle built which was also going to be furnished with stuff whose design only existed in heaven, all of which had never been seen or used before on earth. God simply picks a man from among the people and gives him a small amount of the creative gene which is in unlimited quantities in God Himself.
‘And Moses said to the children of Israel, ‘’See, the Lord has called by name Bezalel the son of Uri… and He has filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom and understanding, in knowledge and all manner of workmanship, to design artistic works… in cutting jewels for setting, in carving wood, and to work all manner of artistic workmanship.’ – Exodus 35:30-35.
Bezalel was enabled to provide the elaborate and beautiful designs of the furnishings of Moses Tabernacle because of God’s wisdom at work in his life. He is a classic example of what the Lord can do with a man who walks in and manifests heavenly gifts. You’re no less important than Bezalel is, you’re likewise a son of God and if you will seek the Father with all your heart, you will find pure wisdom.
The place of wisdom in our lives
‘I wisdom dwell with prudence and find out knowledge of witty inventions.’ – Proverbs 8:12 KJV.
Whatever we are called to do, we must realize that we need the pure wisdom that God offers us. This is because we cannot create anything long-lasting and effective for God’s kingdom outside wisdom. You see, the wisdom by which God created all things is the simple reason why all that He made has not expired even after thousands of years, and that’s why you wake up every morning and see the sun rise and set, you see the stars shine each in its course and you see the rain and snow come down in their seasons – and it’s been happening that way for thousands of years; it’s the same reason why God’s creation does not need any kind of upgrade (See Genesis 1) because all that He made is perfect and does not need man’s improvements.
‘When He prepared the heavens, I was there, when He drew a circle on the face of the deep, when He established the clouds above. Then I was beside Him as a master craftsman; and I was daily His delight, rejoicing always before Him. Rejoicing in His inhabited world, and my delight was with the sons of men.’ – Proverbs 8:27,30,31.
If God could create nothing without wisdom, neither can you! You need wisdom in your business, career, finances, and relationships. You need wisdom – not just romantic love – for a great marriage. It takes God’s wisdom to fulfill your destiny and to keep winning in life. When the pure wisdom of heaven is at work in your heart, you will offer solutions to long-standing problems, you will uncover secrets that are out of this world, you will come up with inventions that will baffle even you!
‘Now when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the Lord, she came to test him with hard questions. And when the queen of Sheba had seen all the wisdom of Solomon… then she said to the king… “Your wisdom and prosperity exceeded the fame of which I heard.’ – 1 Kings 10:1,4,7.
Ten classic wisdom verses to meditate on
- James 3:17. ‘But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good works, without partiality and without hypocrisy.’
- Luke 2:51. ‘And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.’
- 1 Corinthians 1:30. ‘But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God…’
- 1 Timothy 1:17. ‘Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise…’
- 1 Corinthians 2:7. ‘But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory.’
- Proverbs 4:8. ‘Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom, and in all your getting get understanding.’
- Deuteronomy 34:9. ‘Now Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him; so the children of Israel heeded him, and did as the Lord had commanded Him.
- Daniel 1:17. ‘As for these four young men, God gave them knowledge and skill in all literature and wisdom; and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.’
- Job 28:20. ‘From where then does wisdom come? And where is the place of understanding? It is hidden from the eyes of all living and concealed from the birds of the air. God understands its way, and He knows its place.’
- Ephesians 1:17. ‘That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom…’
Christ is your access to wisdom and He’s willing to give it to you if you ask in prayer. It is His will that His people walk in wisdom so they could fulfill their destinies and help others fulfill theirs too. Would you take some time to pray right now, asking for God’s wisdom to fill your heart?
Mide Vincent is a Christian freelance writer and author with a teaching grace from God. Over the past two years, he has ghostwritten seven Christian books and over three hundred articles and blog posts for many wonderful clients. He also runs Joan’s Legacy Family Foundation which is committed to providing basic needs for the poor, elderly widows, unschooled and needy kids in the inner streets of his city. You can reach him through this email address: midevincent@gmail.com