Wisdom Meaning In The Bible

Using The Proverbs As A Guide For Self

As you read the book of Proverbs and the book of Ecclesiastes, many gems of wisdom will attract your attention. Select the passages that are most important to you in your own pursuit of a more fulfilling life. Perhaps you need to work on one of the seven deadly sins, listed in Proverbs 6:16â19. Or maybe you need to improve in an aspect of your life such as the following:

Pursue Wisdom By Bringing All Things Into Relation To Jesus Christ

All things were created through him and for him. . . . In him all things hold together. . . . And in him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom.

Those are the vital paths to wisdom that I am not focusing on. Prize her. Pray for her. Pursue her in the word, in the world, in the company of wise teachers, in the light of eternity, in relation to Jesus.

The Future Only Gets Better

I can constantly grow in wisdom as long as I walk on the path that God has set for my life with only the desire to do Gods will.

Growing in wisdom means that I am liberated from indiscretion, and foolish reactions, and doing things in the heat of the moment that I later regret. It means that I stop acting in ways that are hurtful to myself and the people I interact with in my life. Wisdom allows me to see clearly, to know the right way to speak and act, to know the right counsel to give when others need help and love, to see the truth of a matter, and to judge between right and wrong. I become industrious the things that I do take on meaning and purpose. Wisdom gives us understanding into the mysteries of life. It makes life clear and simple and straight forward, instead of confusing, anxious, and doubtful. This wisdom comes from humbling myself, admitting that there is no wisdom in my own understanding, and continually seeking the things of God.

Growing in wisdom means progressing on the way of being transformed from my own human nature, human understanding, and sinful reactions to the virtues and image of Christ. The more wisdom I gain, the more I crave, and the more God is able to show me where I need to give up the foolishness of my own will in order to become free from sin.

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Proverbs 2: 7 Ones Actions Follow Ones Thoughts

President Marion G. Romney emphasized this proverb in his sesquicentennial conference address:

âThe great overall struggle in the world today is, as it has always been, for the souls of men. Every soul is personally engaged in the struggle, and he makes his fight with what is in his mind. In the final analysis the battleground is, for each individual, within himself. Inevitably he gravitates toward the subjects of his thoughts. Ages ago the wise man thus succinctly stated this great truth: âAs he thinketh in his heart, so is heâ .

âIf we would escape the lusts of the flesh and build for ourselves and our children great and noble characters, we must keep in our minds and in their minds true and righteous principles for our thoughts and their thoughts to dwell upon.

âWe must not permit our minds to become surfeited with the interests, things, and practices of the world about us. To do so is tantamount to adopting and going along with them. â¦

âIf we would avoid adopting the evils of the world, we must pursue a course which will daily feed our minds with and call them back to the things of the Spirit.â

Proverbs : 1619 Seven Things The Lord Hates

President J. Reuben Clark, Jr., quoted these verses and commented: âI read these to show you that the Lord has not left us in doubt nor in darkness as to the things, some of them, that we should not do. We add these to the Ten Commandments.â

Proverbs 6:16 mentions six things and then a seventh that the Lord hates. This âRecalling of what has been said, in order to correct it as by an Afterthoughtâ is a literary device often used by Hebrew writers to add beauty and power to expressions and to convey the idea of completeness . Other examples of this literary device are found in Proverbs 30:15, 18.

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What Is Wisdom In The Bible And Can We Find It Apart From God

Train yourself to let go of everything you fear to lose. -Yoda

Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves. -Confucius

All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us. -Gandalf

Wisdom. When I think of wisdom I tend to think of the long grey beard of Gandalf, or the quiet demeanor of Yoda, or the pithy statements of Confucius. But is this what the Bible means by wisdom?

The dictionary definition is the quality of having experience, knowledge, and good judgment. Certainly Yoda, Confucius, and Gandalf would fit within that definition. But the Bible defines wisdom a bit differently. In Scripture, wisdom is directly related to living in accordance with how God has ordered the world.

Get Wisdom By Pursuing Her

If you make your ear attentive to wisdom . . .if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures,then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.

Dont be passive. Listen, seek, pursue. She is found by those who prize her and pray for her and pursue her.

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The Enjoyment Of Gods Wisdom

The most exciting aspect of Gods wisdom is that He offers to share it with us. Many of us would be willing to admit that we could use a large supply of it in order to handle the circumstances we confront daily. Having Gods wisdom does not necessarily mean we will know why God allows certain things to happen to us or how He will work them together for good. It simply means that we will know the right thing to do in each situation, the thing that will bring the greatest glory to Him.

Scripture makes it clear that we need divine wisdom. Solomon devoted nearly nine chapters in the book of Proverbs to the need for wisdom. Just as he sought it from God, so he encourages us to do likewise: Wisdom is supreme therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding . The New Testament echoes that need: Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is . Again, real wisdom is basically knowing the right thing to do in every situationknowing and doing the will of God.

Scripture suggests that we especially need Gods wisdom in our encounters with unbelievers , when wrestling with trials , and in the use of our tongues . But there are countless other occasions as well when we desperately need wisdom. We know it comes from God, For the LORD gives wisdom . But how do we get it? There are several basic prerequisites.

The Meaning Of Gods Wisdom

What is wisdom? The words used in Scripture have the idea of skill and expertise. For example, Bezalel had the wisdom to make artistic designs in gold, silver, bronze, stone, and wood for the tabernacle . When he did his work, he had a goal in mind, a plan to reach that goal, the proper materials to use, and the skill to bring it all about. When applied to God, wisdom seems to refer to His establishing the best goals and choosing the best and most effective means to accomplish them.

Wisdom is mental excellence in its greatest sense, more comprehensive and far-reaching than mere knowledge. Knowledge is an awareness and understanding of the facts. Wisdom is the ability to adapt those facts into accomplishing a desired end. God knows all the facts, but also has the ability to work everything He knows into a perfect plan that accomplishes His perfect purpose.

Wisdom implies a final end or goal. So if we ever hope to understand Gods wisdom, we must first understand the primary goal toward which He is moving. God is infinitely holy and righteous, He is sovereign, the highest and greatest, infinite goodness. In other words, He Himself is best. If God exists for what is best and He Himself is best, then He must of necessity exist for Himself. He lives to demonstrate His own glory.

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Be Peaceful And Considerate

But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. James 3:17

Always observe awareness and practice peacefulness. Be gentle and slow to anger. Learn how to forgive and show mercy. Be considerate of the feelings of the people around you. Have compassion and understand the sufferings of others. By achieving calmness, peacefulness and full awareness of your surroundings, you will have a better chance to receive the wisdom that comes from God.

Proverbs : 2 Apple Of Thine Eye

This phrase is one of many commonly used expressions that come from the Old Testament. The phrase is also found in Deuteronomy 32:10, Psalm 17:8, and Lamentations 2:18. The word apple, however, refers not to the fruit but to the pupil of the eye . The idiom suggests that just as the eye is a sensitive organ requiring care and protection, so is the law precious and worthy of protection.

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Summary Question 20 What Is The Gift Of The Word Of Wisdom

Wisdom is not the same as knowledge. The gift of the word of wisdom is the application of knowledge. While all Christians are commanded to ask God for wisdom there is a special gift of wisdom that God gives to certain of His people. Jesus Christ possessed this gift in a supreme way.

Some Christians link this spiritual gift of the word of wisdom exclusively with the apostles and prophets. Consequently they believe the gift no longer operates.

Others disagree that this was the main purpose of the gift. Instead, they believe that the Lord is still imparting it today to certain believers.

The Bible says that wisdom can be exercised through persecution, defending the faith, problem solving, dealing with unbelievers, everyday living, interpreting Gods truth, and imparting Gods truth.

All wisdom is found in Jesus. He is the one who exercised wisdom in the supreme way. We are to always follow His example.

The Wisdom Of God In The Bible

When it comes to the wisdom of God, a picture is worth more than a thousand words. As we look at a few passages of Scripture which speak of the wisdom of God, we will attempt to sharpen the definition of Gods wisdom and show its relevance to our daily lives.

Wisdom at the Fall of Man: Genesis 2 and 3 Proverbs 3

I must confess I had never considered the account of the fall in Genesis in light of the wisdom of God. Nevertheless, it is clear that Eves desire for wisdom contributed to her fall:

1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, Indeed, has God said, You shall not eat from any tree of the garden? 2 And the woman said to the serpent, From the fruit of the trees of the garden we may eat 3 but from the fruit of the tree which is in the middle of the garden, God has said, You shall not eat from it or touch it, lest you die. 4 And the serpent said to the woman, You surely shall not die! 5 For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil. 6 When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make wise, she took from its fruit and ate and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate .

Satans wisdom was a knowledge of good andevil. And in the knowing of evil, Adam and Eve became alienated from the enjoyment of good.

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Proverbs 1: 3132 Reproof Getteth Understanding

Neal A. Maxwell, then Commissioner of Church Education, commented:

âOur life style must make allowance for that need to deal with reality in our own lives. In Proverbs we read: .

âThe disciple of Christ needs to expect the âreproof of lifeââand sufferingâfor suffering is that sweat that comes from working out our salvation. Suffering is on the agenda for each of us.â

Christ And The Gospel

A Christian approach to the study of Gods wisdom starts and ends with Christ. Paul, in opposing false wisdom, locates true wisdom in Gods plan that climaxes in Christ and the gospel. In 1 Corinthians 1:24 and 30 he explicitly calls Christ wisdom. This gospel wisdom is the source of all wisdom for the Christian community which by the Spirit has the mind of Christ .4

Colossians and Ephesians amplify the apostles understanding. God has lavished upon us the saving grace of the gospel in all wisdom and insight . In Christ, God gives believers the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation . Paul prays that God would fill the saints with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding . The apostle proclaims Christ, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom to present everyone mature in Christ . In Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge .5 We can call this christological wisdom.

There is a tendency in certain streams of contemporary theology to reorient christology around some preconceived conception of wisdom. The New Testament, however, moves in the opposite direction: it is wisdom that is reconfigured around Christ. Authentic Christian wisdom is always constituted in relation to the person and work of Christ.

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Pursue Wisdom In The Light Of Eternity

Teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.

If you come to Bethlehem, you will smell eternity. The sweet breezes of heaven, and the smoke of hell blow often through these halls. Because walking near eternity makes you wiser in this world. As the Preacher says,

It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting,for this is the end of all mankind, and the living will lay it to heart.

And become wise.

Proverbs 2: 2122 Heaping Coals Of Fire On Anothers Head

Initially these verses sound as though a person is instructed to do the right thing for the wrong reason, that is, to forgive so that oneâs enemy will receive a worse torment. Other scriptures, however, suggest a different interpretation: bringing someone to repentance and godly sorrow through sharpening conscience.

âThe burning of coals laid on the head must be a painful but wholesome consequence it is a figure of self-accusing repentance ⦠, the showing of good to an enemy. ⦠That God rewards such magnanimity may not be the special motive but this view might contribute to it, for otherwise such promises of God were without moral right. The proverb also requires one to show himself gentle and liberal toward a needy enemy, and present a twofold reason for this: first, that thereby his injustice is brought home to his conscience and, secondly, that thus God is well-pleased in such practical love toward an enemy, and will reward it âby such conduct, apart from the performance of a law grounded in our moral nature, one advances the happiness of his neighbour and his own.â

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Solomon Never Asked For Wisdom But It Was Wisdom That He Was Asking For But He Never Mentioned The Word Wisdom But He Defined It He Explained The Function Of Wisdom

I believe many of you realise that you cannot do without wisdom, and that without wisdom you cant do anything? You see when we talk of wisdom we have to understand what it is and also we have to understand what it is not. Wisdom is not thinking. It is different from thinking. I would rather call it divine reasoning. Reasoning which is beyond just thinking, reasoning that is divine.

Wisdom is a heavenly commodity. There are three types of wisdom the first wisdom which is the most important is the Godly wisdom then Earthly wisdom and Satanic wisdom. There is a need for you to know the difference in these three kinds of wisdom, so you know exactly which one to choose.

So when you pray and you are asking God for wisdom, you have to be specific, you have to really point out which one exactly are you asking God for because the other one is satanic, only the devil can give that one to you.

Its important for you to know what it is you believe in. From 1 Kings 3, we can derive a meaning or a definition of wisdom, which is the ability to know the meaning and the difference.

That ability to know the difference, if you have two friends, if I give you a chance right now to explain their difference, can you explain it? That ability is wisdom, between two opinions, between two choices, that ability to know the difference is wisdom. And also to make the right judgment Ecclesiastes 8:1, which is to know the interpretation of a thing, that is wisdom again. Thats judgment.