Question 1

How will having wisdom help me?

Accepted Answer

Romans 12:2Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.1 Corinthians 1:20-21So where does this leave the philosophers, the scholars, and the world’s brilliant debaters? God has made the wisdom of this world look foolish. Since God in his wisdom saw to it that the world would never know him through human wisdom, he has used our foolish preaching to save those who believe.2 Corinthians 10:4-5We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.Wisdom transforms head knowledge into common sense action. Wisdom from God helps us develop a biblical outlook that penetrates the deceptive and distorted thinking of this world.Psalm 111:10Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true wisdom. All who obey his commandments will grow in wisdom. Praise him forever!Proverbs 9:10Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment.Having wisdom isn’t simply knowing facts and figures; it is understanding the filter through which those facts and figures should be applied. Wisdom recognizes that an all-powerful, all-knowing God has designed a moral universe with consequences for good or sinful choices. Wisdom begins with understanding our accountability to and our full dependence on our Creator. It isn’t what we know, but who we know.1 Kings 3:9-10“Give me an understanding heart so that I can govern your people well and know the difference between right and wrong. For who by himself is able to govern this great people of yours?” The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for wisdom.The more responsibility we have, the more of God’s wisdom we need in order to do what is right.Proverbs 3:21-26My child, don’t lose sight of common sense and discernment. Hang on to them, for they will refresh your soul. They are like jewels on a necklace. They keep you safe on your way, and your feet will not stumble. You can go to bed without fear; you will lie down and sleep soundly. You need not be afraid of sudden disaster or the destruction that comes upon the wicked, for the Lord is your security. He will keep your foot from being caught in a trap.Wisdom will help preserve us from trouble and disaster. Wise people know the difference between right and wrong and consistently choose to do what is right, which often helps them avoid trouble. More than that, wisdom is choosing to apply God’s truth and principles to our daily relationships and situations.Ecclesiastes 10:10Using a dull ax requires great strength, so sharpen the blade. That’s the value of wisdom; it helps you succeed.Solomon sees the combination of our minds and experience as a sharp ax. If we are not attentive to experience and alert in our thinking, we will be dull in how we approach the task of living. Wisdom gives us an edge in planning and problem solving that will help us succeed.Ephesians 5:15-20So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.Wisdom helps us know how to live well. Among the things that demonstrate wisdom are our effective use of time, continual recognition that we live in evil days in a fallen world, decision-making based on our understanding God’s will, continual seeking to live by and being filled with the Holy Spirit, heartfelt worship, and a persistent attitude of gratitude to God based on all he has done for us.Psalm 25:8-9The Lord is good and does what is right; he shows the proper path to those who go astray. He leads the humble in doing right, teaching them his way.Proverbs 3:5-6Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.Proverbs 9:11-12Wisdom will multiply your days and add years to your life. If you become wise, you will be the one to benefit. If you scorn wisdom, you will be the one to suffer.Proverbs 24:5The wise are mightier than the strong, and those with knowledge grow stronger and stronger.Wisdom will allow us to lead a longer, healthier, happier lives.1 Corinthians 1:19As the Scriptures say, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise and discard the intelligence of the intelligent.”Spiritual wisdom allows us to know the difference between what the Bible says is wise and what the world claims to be wise.Proverbs 5:1-6My son, pay attention to my wisdom; listen carefully to my wise counsel. Then you will show discernment, and your lips will express what you’ve learned. For the lips of an immoral woman are as sweet as honey, and her mouth is smoother than oil. But in the end she is as bitter as poison, as dangerous as a double-edged sword. Her feet go down to death; her steps lead straight to the grave. For she cares nothing about the path to life. She staggers down a crooked trail and doesn’t realize it.Wisdom gives us the discretion to deal with all challenging situations.Matthew 7:24-27“Anyone who listens to my [Jesus’] teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.”Wisdom inspires confidence and prepares us for the most difficult of times. Foolishness leaves us at great risk, leaving us vulnerable to catastrophes.

Question 2

How do I obtain wisdom?

Accepted Answer

Job 28:12, 21“But do people know where to find wisdom? Where can they find understanding? . . . It is hidden from the eyes of all humanity. Even the sharp-eyed birds in the sky cannot discover it.”Wisdom is elusive and requires that we actively pursue it.Psalm 5:8Lead me in the right path, O Lord, . . . Make your way plain for me to follow.Psalm 86:11Teach me your ways, O Lord, that I may live according to your truth! Grant me purity of heart, so that I may honor you.James 1:5If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.God promises to give wisdom to anyone who asks. We need not be embarrassed to ask God for the wisdom and direction we need.Job 28:28“And this is what he says to all humanity: ‘The fear of the Lord is true wisdom; to forsake evil is real understanding.’”Proverbs 1:7Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.Proverbs 9:10Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment.Giving God first place in our lives is a prerequisite for receiving God’s guidance. Asking God for wisdom is a hollow request if we are not willing to let God rule in our hearts. Wisdom comes from honoring God.Deuteronomy 4:5-6“Look, I now teach you these decrees and regulations just as the Lord my God commanded me, so that you may obey them in the land you are about to enter and occupy. Obey them completely, and you will display your wisdom and intelligence among the surrounding nations. When they hear all these decrees, they will exclaim, ‘How wise and prudent are the people of this great nation!’”Psalm 19:7The instructions of the Lord are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.Proverbs 1:5-6Let the wise listen to these proverbs and become even wiser. Let those with understanding receive guidance by exploring the meaning in these proverbs and parables, the words of the wise and their riddles.Proverbs 1:23Come and listen to my counsel. I’ll share my heart with you and make you wise.Colossians 3:16Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives.Obedience to God’s word—his commands, laws, and teachings—will make us wise. It is our most reliable source of wisdom and insight because it is the very counsel of God himself; therefore, it speaks to all the situations we may face.1 Corinthians 2:15-16Those who are spiritual can evaluate all things, but they themselves cannot be evaluated by others. For, “Who can know the Lord’s thoughts? Who knows enough to teach him?” But we understand these things, for we have the mind of Christ.1 John 2:27You have received the Holy Spirit, and he lives within you, so you don’t need anyone to teach you what is true. For the Spirit teaches you everything you need to know, and what he teaches is true—it is not a lie. So just as he has taught you, remain in fellowship with Christ.Wisdom comes from the Holy Spirit who lives in us when we believe in Jesus Christ.Psalm 25:8-9The Lord is good and does what is right; he shows the proper path to those who go astray. He leads the humble in doing right, teaching them his way.Proverbs 3:7Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil.James 1:5If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.Wisdom comes more easily to us when we are humble and teachable.Proverbs 1:23Come and listen to my counsel. I’ll share my heart with you and make you wise.Proverbs 8:12, 17“I, Wisdom, live together with good judgment. I know where to discover knowledge and discernment.” . . . “I love all who love me. Those who search will surely find me.”We find wisdom when we seek it wholeheartedly. Like many other good things in life, we find wisdom by pursuing it.Proverbs 20:18Plans succeed through good counsel; don’t go to war without wise advice.Wisdom often comes to us through the counsel of thoughtful, godly people.Psalm 119:98Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are my constant guide.God’s word is an unending source of wisdom for us when we apply ourselves to study it.Psalm 86:11Teach me your ways, O Lord, that I may live according to your truth! Grant me purity of heart, so that I may honor you.Psalm 5:8Lead me in the right path, O Lord, or my enemies will conquer me. Make your way plain for me to follow.Proverbs 1:5-6Let the wise listen to these proverbs and become even wiser. Let those with understanding receive guidance by exploring the meaning in these proverbs and parables, the words of the wise and their riddles.Colossians 3:16Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives.Listening to Christ’s teachings and obeying his words will give us wisdom. Obedience to God’s word—his commands, laws, and teachings—will make us wise.

Question 3

Does spiritual wisdom guarantee success in life?

Accepted Answer

Matthew 7:24-27“Anyone who listens to my [Jesus’] teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.”Wisdom allows us to build our lives on the firm foundation of a relationship with God himself. this doesn’t mean we will never experience storms. Set-backs are a part of life in a fallen world. But a life built on Christ will stand in the long run.Proverbs 3:35The wise inherit honor, but fools are put to shame!Proverbs 3:5-6Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.Proverbs 24:5The wise are mightier than the strong, and those with knowledge grow stronger and stronger.While wisdom itself does not necessarily guarantee success in worldly terms, it is the road to spiritual prosperity.1 Corinthians 1:19-21As the Scriptures say, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise and discard the intelligence of the intelligent.” So where does this leave the philosophers, the scholars, and the world’s brilliant debaters? God has made the wisdom of this world look foolish. Since God in his wisdom saw to it that the world would never know him through human wisdom, he has used our foolish preaching to save those who believe.Spiritual wisdom allows us to avoid the folly of the world’s wisdom.Proverbs 5:1-6My son, pay attention to my wisdom; listen carefully to my wise counsel. Then you will show discernment, and your lips will express what you’ve learned. For the lips of an immoral woman are as sweet as honey, and her mouth is smoother than oil. But in the end she is as bitter as poison, as dangerous as a double-edged sword. Her feet go down to death; her steps lead straight to the grave. For she cares nothing about the path to life. She staggers down a crooked trail and doesn’t realize it.Wisdom more often than not protects the wise from evil.

Question 4

What are some of the characteristics of a wise person?

Accepted Answer

Psalm 14:1Only fools say in their hearts, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, and their actions are evil; not one of them does good!Proverbs 1:7Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.Proverbs 14:1A wise woman builds her home, but a foolish woman tears it down with her own hands.Proverbs 18:2Fools have no interest in understanding; they only want to air their own opinions.The Bible describes fools as having the following characteristics: (1) Foolish people refuse to acknowledge the existence of a loving God; (2) they make no attempt to develop wisdom and self-discipline; (3) they are entertained by making fun of what is good and moral; (4) they speak carelessly and thoughtlessly about others; and (5) they think they are always right. Therefore, a wise person must have the opposite characteristics: (1) Wise people acknowledge a loving God who deeply cares about them; (2) they actively discipline themselves to pursue wisdom; (3) they respect what is good and right and stand up to wrong; (4) they find the good in others and encourage them; and (5) they are humble enough to know they don’t have all the answers.

Question 5

Does old age produce wisdom?

Accepted Answer

Job 32:7-9“I thought, ‘Those who are older should speak, for wisdom comes with age.’ But there is a spirit within people, the breath of the Almighty within them, that makes them intelligent. Sometimes the elders are not wise. Sometimes the aged do not understand justice.”We do well to remember that life experience does not automatically produce wisdom. It is life experience, filtered through a teachable spirit, and prayerfully linked to the truths of Scripture, that gives one the full spiritual benefit of old age.

Question 6

What should any leader desire most?

Accepted Answer

1 Kings 3:5-9That night the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream, and God said, “What do you want? Ask, and I will give it to you!” Solomon replied, “You showed great and faithful love to your servant my father, David, because he was honest and true and faithful to you. And you have continued to show this great and faithful love to him today by giving him a son to sit on his throne. “Now, O Lord my God, you have made me king instead of my father, David, but I am like a little child who doesn’t know his way around. And here I am in the midst of your own chosen people, a nation so great and numerous they cannot be counted! Give me an understanding heart so that I can govern your people well and know the difference between right and wrong. For who by himself is able to govern this great people of yours?”Of all the skills, qualities, and capabilities that leaders should desire, none is more important than wisdom. Leaders are responsible to understand situations, people, and issues. They are called upon to interpret trends, to solve problems, and to suggest solutions. In short, leaders are responsible not only to think, but also to apply knowledge to life situations. That is wisdom.Proverbs 3:5-6Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.Leaders are tempted and sometimes expected to have all the answers. But wisdom is shown when we humbly acknowledge God and recognize our dependence on him. We cannot always fully understand the events around us. We need a steady trust in God for help and guidance, which will improve our performance as leaders.

Question 7

Is wisdom something I can learn or acquire?

Accepted Answer

Proverbs 1:1-7These are the proverbs of Solomon, David’s son, king of Israel. Their purpose is to teach people wisdom and discipline, to help them understand the insights of the wise. Their purpose is to teach people to live disciplined and successful lives, to help them do what is right, just, and fair. These proverbs will give insight to the simple, knowledge and discernment to the young. Let the wise listen to these proverbs and become even wiser. Let those with understanding receive guidance by exploring the meaning in these proverbs and parables, the words of the wise and their riddles. Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.Proverbs 4:1-13My children, listen when your father corrects you. Pay attention and learn good judgment, for I am giving you good guidance. Don’t turn away from my instructions. For I, too, was once my father’s son, tenderly loved as my mother’s only child. My father taught me, “Take my words to heart. Follow my commands, and you will live. Get wisdom; develop good judgment. Don’t forget my words or turn away from them. Don’t turn your back on wisdom, for she will protect you. Love her, and she will guard you. Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do! And whatever else you do, develop good judgment. If you prize wisdom, she will make you great. Embrace her, and she will honor you. She will place a lovely wreath on your head; she will present you with a beautiful crown.” My child, listen to me and do as I say, and you will have a long, good life. I will teach you wisdom’s ways and lead you in straight paths. When you walk, you won’t be held back; when you run, you won’t stumble. Take hold of my instructions; don’t let them go. Guard them, for they are the key to life.We need to learn wisdom; it is not in-born. Wisdom is acquired through diligent search and obedience to God. Wisdom must be and can be learned. Wisdom can also grow. At its core, true wisdom flows out of a relationship with God.1 Kings 3:5-14That night the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream, and God said, “What do you want? Ask, and I will give it to you!” Solomon replied, “You showed great and faithful love to your servant my father, David, because he was honest and true and faithful to you. And you have continued to show this great and faithful love to him today by giving him a son to sit on his throne. “Now, O Lord my God, you have made me king instead of my father, David, but I am like a little child who doesn’t know his way around. And here I am in the midst of your own chosen people, a nation so great and numerous they cannot be counted! Give me an understanding heart so that I can govern your people well and know the difference between right and wrong. For who by himself is able to govern this great people of yours?” The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for wisdom. So God replied, “Because you have asked for wisdom in governing my people with justice and have not asked for a long life or wealth or the death of your enemies—I will give you what you asked for! I will give you a wise and understanding heart such as no one else has had or ever will have! And I will also give you what you did not ask for—riches and fame! No other king in all the world will be compared to you for the rest of your life! And if you follow me and obey my decrees and my commands as your father, David, did, I will give you a long life.”Solomon prayed for wisdom and God gave it to him. He became attuned to wisdom, making it a life-long project to collect the sayings of the wise. The collection of these sayings is the book of Proverbs.James 1:5If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.We receive wisdom by seeking its source—God.