But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. - James 3: 17 (ESV)
Wisdom. It is a word we hear quite often in Christian circles. It is a word that is prevalent throughout Scripture. If we lack it we are implored to seek God for it. Fearing God is the beginning of it. We are urged to make sure that our walk is wise because the days are evil. It seems that wisdom can be one of those words we all nod our heads about yet never dig deeper to get to the root of what God is trying to teach us. One biblical definition of wisdom that gets to the heart of the matter is, "the ability to judge correctly and to follow the best course of action, based on knowledge and understanding." How do we analyze the situations in our lives accurately so that we might take the correct path every time - based on knowledge and understanding. If we break this definition down into two halves the first half can be summed up as follows:
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. - Proverbs 3: 5-6 (ESV)
One of the most popular set of verses in the Bible, this set from Proverbs actually contains the secret for wisdom. If you asked Christians if they would be better off letting God pick their paths or themselves we would all agree God. The recipe is simple. Trust God with everything within us - don't trust our own perspective - acknowledge Him in everything - and He shows us the paths to take. Simple right? Easily taught but not so easily caught. The truth is we like our own wisdom. We believe what we see and feel way too much over acknowledging God. We often find ourselves on the wrong road based upon leaning to what we believe or feel. The truth is that we pay lip service to God more than we acknowledge Him. Paying lip service is calling Him Lord while treating Him in an advisory capacity.
"Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do what I tell you? - Luke 6: 46 (ESV)
So we come to it. Where do we find what God has told us? In the Bible. Therein is contained the entire revealed wisdom of God. That is why we no longer have to lean on our own understanding. When we live our lives based upon the Bible we are acknowledging the Lord. We are not merely saying Lord Lord, we are treating Him as our Lord. But our study on wisdom cannot merely end there. It is based not only on the knowledge of the Scriptures but understanding them in relation to God and His design. What greater example do we have than the Pharisees?
"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. You blind guides, straining out a gnat and swallowing a camel! - Matthew 23: 23-24 (ESV)
