Listen to Nancy’s answer recorded live on Moody radio, here:
God’s wisdom matters to us because it matters to God. Wisdom acknowledges and seeks God’s righteousness, holiness, and truth over what is pleasing to self-seeking humans. When we have the wisdom of God, our behavior will center on loving others and bringing God glory with every breath we take. The benefits of living in sync with God’s wisdom means that things are done in the best possible way with the best possible outcomes! Living life according to our natural selfish tendencies is replaced with God’s wisdom that gives us great joy to live with pure intentions instead of seeking our gain and comfort.
“Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace” (James 3:13-18)
Wisdom comes to us as a gift of the Holy Spirit and God’s Word. No matter how well educated and how much experience one has, human knowledge and wisdom are of no eternal value to God. However, when we have the wisdom of God as we lead with humility and integrity, many will be drawn to Christ by the way we love others with truth.
“Let no one deceive himself. If any of you thinks he is wise in this age, he should become a fool, so that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight” (1 Corinthians 3: 18-19).
“Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?” (1 Corinthians 1:20)
Wisdom is the most important gift God gives us. When King David was about to die, he wanted to make Solomon king. When the Lord came to Solomon in a dream, he offered to grant Solomon one request. Solomon was young and inexperienced but wisely chose God’s wisdom as his one request. God was pleased with Solomon’s choice and received many wonderful things from God that he did not request.
“It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. And God said to him, “Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, behold, I now do according to your word. Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you. I give you also what you have not asked, both riches and honor so that no other king shall compare with you, all your days. And if you will walk in my ways, keeping my statutes and my commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days.” (1 Kings 3:10-14).
Shortly after the gift of wisdom and riches were given, Solomon publicly demonstrated his wisdom in the judgment in the case of the two women who claimed the same child.
God gives us a realistic perspective on life. Our happiness comes when we walk with God and live out what matters to God. Every day we have decisions to make, both big and little; they all matter to God. Right thinking and good choices that honor God and His word will bring us Godly success! We don’t have to be a Solomon to receive wisdom. God makes it available to all believers!
“If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him” (James 1:5).
Growing in wisdom is the path of transformation from our flawed human nature to the virtues and image of Christ. The more insight we gain, the more we desire, and the more God can show us areas where we can spread the grace and mercy of Jesus.
“Wisdom sets us free from futility, meaninglessness, uselessness, emptiness, vanity, superfluity and from living in vain. It gives us an appreciation for everything that is true and noble; for everything that is of God.” Ann Steiner
“Happy is the man who finds wisdom. Her ways are ways of pleasantness,And all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, And happy are all who retain her” (Proverbs 3:13-18).