Wisdom is not shown in how much you speak but in how much you listen. “A wise man will hear and increase learning, and a man of understanding will attain wise counsel” (Proverbs 1:5 NKJV).
As a Christian, one of the greatest changes that you should seek to have in your life is to be growing in wisdom. Too many in our day focus more on growing in knowledge but neglect the greater thing, which is to become wise in a world filled with foolishness.
The world’s idea of a mature Christian is one who has more knowledge of truth. God’s idea is one who lives more truth. Knowledge can know the truth, but wisdom lives it. “Do any of you have wisdom and insight? Show this by living the right way with the humility that comes from wisdom” (James 3:13 GW).
Growing in wisdom has nothing to do with having high intelligence. Some of the smartest people on this planet hold to some of the most foolish ideas imaginable. People are so smart that they can argue themselves into believing the lie and rejecting God’s truths.
Just because you’re smart doesn’t mean you’re right. “Stop deceiving yourselves. If you think you are wise by this world’s standards, you need to become a fool to be truly wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness to God. As the Scriptures say, ‘He traps the wise in the snare of their own cleverness.’” (1 Corinthians 3:18-19 NLT).
Growing in wisdom requires that the Lord is growing in you. Heavenly wisdom is not attained but received, and the only one who can give it to you is God. There is a so-called earthly wisdom that people hold onto, but heavenly wisdom comes down from above.
To gain worldly wisdom requires much effort. To gain heavenly wisdom requires submission. “That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know…” (Ephesians 1:17-18 NKJV).
Wisdom is not a prize but a gift. Wisdom does not come to you by your efforts but by your submission. God will only give you wisdom when you will use this wisdom in a way that brings glory to God. Wisdom is always rooted in humility.
It is hard to offend a person who is not ruled by their pride. “When pride comes, then comes shame, but wisdom is with those who have no pride” (Proverbs 11:2 NLV).
If you want to have more wisdom, then you must humbly ask for it. If your motives are right, then the gift of wisdom will surely follow. Wherever you lack wisdom, you’re standing in your pride. You’ll never ask for wisdom in your pride because your pride thinks you already have it.
What would you do differently if you spoke with God before you did anything? “If any of you lacks wisdom [to guide him through a decision or circumstance], he is to ask of [our benevolent] God, who gives to everyone generously and without rebuke or blame, and it will be given to him” (James 1:5 AMP).
If you’re growing in Christ, then you’re growing in wisdom, for the two cannot be separated. The more accurate statement is that Christ is growing in you, and the more He reigns in your life, the more that wisdom will become the theme of all that you say and do.
You may be getting older, but are you getting wiser? “So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12 NKJV).
The world will call your wisdom foolishness, and that is the surest sign that you’re on the right path. To the degree the world thinks you’re wise, you’re not. Don’t worry about what man says about you, but stand firm in your desire to please the Lord.
If Christ is in you, then His nature will flow through you. Nobody is judged by their knowledge, but how they treat others. “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy” (James 3:17 NKJV).
To grow in wisdom, you must see your own foolishness. To see yourself as you really are requires that God will show you. Our hearts are too deceitful to trust them to tell us the truth. Put yourself before the mirror of the Holy Spirit, and be willing to see all He will show you.
If you always think you’re right, then you’ll never learn where you’re wrong. “He who leans on, trusts in, and is confident of his own mind and heart is a [self-confident] fool, but he who walks in skillful and godly Wisdom shall be delivered” (Proverbs 28:26 AMPC).
God can make you wiser than you imagined possible. Christ in you will result in Christ through you. The Holy Spirit can give words to say as well as the restraint when it is best to hold your tongue. Stop thinking this gift is not for you and start asking for it.
It’s more important that you live better than you live longer. “So be careful how you act; these are difficult days. Don’t be fools; be wise: make the most of every opportunity you have for doing good. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but try to find out and do whatever the Lord wants you to” (Ephesians 5:15-17 TLB).
As you become wiser, your life will surely show it. You may not be popular with others, but God will surely smile upon you. Learn to slow down in your thinking and pray that the Lord will help you. The wisdom from above is always right for the troubles of the day.
It doesn’t matter as much how wide your teaching is but the depth in which it goes. “So we tell others about Christ, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all the wisdom God has given us. We want to present them to God, perfect in their relationship to Christ” (Colossians 1:28 NLT).
Blessings to you always,
Paul Balius
Always a very consistent good word!
Thank you!