When we ask God for wisdom, it is then given to us by the Holy Spirit. Wisdom is a gift to receive and not a goal reachable by the programs of man. Spiritual wisdom discerns truths that are beyond what is seen. It allows us to see what is behind the curtain.
If you want to make wise choices, simply ask God to help you. “If any of you need wisdom, you should ask God, and it will be given to you. God is generous and won’t correct you for asking.” (James 1:5 CEV).
Spiritual wisdom gives us the power to change. Knowledge only knows the truth. Knowledge knows what is right and what is wrong. Wisdom is something far deeper. Wisdom gives us not only the ability to know a truth but then to act upon it and to be changed by it.
If you’ve flatlined in your faith, then you’re going in the wrong direction. “…We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit…” (Colossians 1:9-10 NLT).
You can know that the Holy Spirit is within you. But to walk in the wisdom of being filled with the Holy Spirit means you can operate in the power of the Holy Spirit. Knowledge will only take you so far; you need heavenly wisdom to go higher.
If you want to increase in spiritual wisdom, you need to decrease in natural foolishness. “Words from the mouth of the wise are gracious, but fools are consumed by their own lips” (Ecclesiastes 10:12 NIV).
Wisdom is an action. Act wisely. You can know everything and act foolishly. But wisdom causes us to act wisely. We are not called to be wise in our own eyes but to reflect on ourselves with a measure of humility, knowing what fools we are apart from God.
Don’t live in regret for time wasted and be wise with the time you have left. “Therefore see that you walk carefully [living life with honor, purpose, and courage; shunning those who tolerate and enable evil], not as the unwise, but as wise [sensible, intelligent, discerning people], making the very most of your time [on earth, recognizing and taking advantage of each opportunity and using it with wisdom and diligence], because the days are [filled with] evil” (Ephesians 5:15-16 AMP).
We are called to act wisely. Not to see ourselves as wise but to act wisely. The difference is this: if you see yourself as wise, that is your pride, whereas if you act wisely, that is from your humility because you’re acting counter to what your natural flesh wants you to do.
It is hard to offend a person not ruled by their pride. “When pride comes, then comes shame, but wisdom is with those who have no pride” (Proverbs 11:2 NLV).
When someone speaks against you, slanders you, makes fun of you, or speaks down to you – in the natural you want to strike back. Or you close the door, and you wallow in your bitterness. Both of these are natural reactions to natural events that happen in our lives.
Nobody can put you down if you already are. You only fear being humbled if you are not already humble. “A man’s pride will bring him low, but the humble in spirit will retain honor” (Proverbs 29:23 NKJV).
But if you have spiritual wisdom and someone speaks ungodly words towards you, it won’t touch you because you’re walking in the Spirit. Acting wisely means you’re not moved by the foolishness of man. A wise believer is not owned by the ungodly opinions of others but only the judgment of God.
There is power in the freedom of not being tethered by the opinions of man. “The fear of human opinion disables; trusting in God protects you from that.” (Proverbs 29:25 MSG).
God says to overlook an offense is better than responding to it. The world says to get even and maybe even more. The world will say the greatest revenge is your success. God says revenge is Mine. Spiritual wisdom will give you power over your ungodly natural reactions to others.
The more you can overlook an offense, the less it will bother you. “A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense” (Proverbs 19:11 NIV).
Blessings to you,
Paul Balius
Paul thank you for another great sharing. It reinforced something I needed to be encouraged with. Blessings
Hi Bonnie, you are most welcome, prayers for your continued enlightenment!