Wisdom

Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.

—Proverbs 4:7 (NKJV)

 

“Wisdom,” Greg Mohr writes in his book, Walking in Wisdom, “is the grace to prioritize and correctly apply knowledge for the greater common good. It is the ability to know what to do, to know what principle to apply in a situation that will produce life, good fruit, and leave people better off.”

 

Wisdom is not just knowledge or understanding. Knowledge gathers facts and truth. Understanding organizes facts and truth. Wisdom correctly applies those facts and truths. When we understand what knowledge teaches, we organize it in ways that we can access it. Wisdom applies our understanding of facts and truth so we can apply the right principle of truth to people and situations. 

 

“If any of you lacks wisdom,” James wrote, “let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways” (James 1:5-8, NKJV).

 

Ask for God’s wisdom to correctly and timely apply your understanding of the Word. If you ask in faith believing without doubting, you will receive. If you doubt God will give you wisdom, then you will not receive it. And without wisdom, knowledge and understanding will lack power.

 

Solomon realized the value of wisdom after becoming King of Israel. He asked God for it so that he could rule effectively. 

 

“Now give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people; for who can judge this great people of yours” (2 Chronicles 7:10)?  

 

The principles of God’s truth are important in our lives but they are of little effect without God’s wisdom to apply them. When we seek God’s wisdom above what the world pursues, not only will we find it, but other things will also be added to our lives.

 

“Do not forsake her,” Solomon declared about wisdom, “and she will preserve you. Love her, and she will keep you. Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding. Exalt her, and she will promote you; she will bring you honor, when you embrace her. She will place on your head an ornament of grace; a crown of glory she will deliver to you” (Proverbs 4:6-9, NKJV).

 

Love God’s wisdom. It will keep and protect you. It will give you understanding and honor you. Wisdom will hold you in the grace of God and fill you with the discernable presence of God.

 

There are revelations yet to be known—ideas to be discovered—solutions to difficult problems just waiting to be found. There are lives and relationships waiting to be restored. God yearns for His Word to be known—understanding to be found—and wisdom to be applied. 

 

Wisdom is the primary thing you need to experience a spiritually fulfilled life. Know the Word.  Seek revelation understanding of God’s truth. Ask God for His wisdom to apply the correct principle of truth to the right situation at the right time. Make God’s wisdom the highest priority in your life.

 

© 2021 Lynn Lacher

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