How Can You Obtain Wisdom?

Everyone is searching for wisdom whether or not they realize it. Some people go to school to obtain it while others read books or seek counsel from the wise. As Christians, we understand “wisdom is the principal thing,” and with wisdom comes knowledge and understanding (Proverbs 4:7). With understanding, we are able to make decisions that can change our lives in ways that make them better and enable us to help and encourage others on our path through life.

In this Bible study, we are going to learn there are two types of wisdom, there is wisdom from our Heavenly Father and there is the wisdom of the world.

Which one do we want and which one will bless us?

Two Types of Wisdom

Turn your Bible with me to,

James 3:13
13 “Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.”

James asks, ‘who is wise among the people? Who has knowledge?

We should understand the word “conversation” simply means, “behavior“. Whoever can display their ‘good behavior‘ displays their good works and due to that, they are wise and intelligent.

We should always strive to conduct ourselves after the likeness of Jesus Christ, we can never live up to His example, but we certainly should try.

James 3:14
14 “But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.”

For every positive, unfortunately, there is a negative.

What does the Bible tell us about this sort of “wisdom“?

James 3:15
15This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.”

This displays to us a state of degradation. If something is not from above, simply meaning, if something is not from Heaven, then it is from below. This verse in itself could take us in many different directions. We know this earthly life of flesh brings forward sin and we also know Satan is the god of this world (2 Corinthians 4:4).

Let us continue.

James 3:16
16 “For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.”

Envy” and “strife” are certainly not the wisdom of Heaven. They are an “evil work” which brings forward confusion, this type of wisdom does not bring people together, it does not edify the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:13-31).

James 3:17
17 “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.”

The “wisdom” that comes from above “the LORD giveth“.

So we have two different types of wisdom and I want you to notice, wisdom from above is full of “good fruit“, which is symbolic of our “good works“.

If you possess a wisdom that our Father did not provide you with, then you do not want it. There is nothing wrong with understanding earthly thoughts and ideals. That is how we are able to get ahead in our daily life by educating ourselves in a subject or trade and learning about the world around us.

However, wisdom and knowledge concerning things such as “envy” and “strife” are wisdom we do not want to obtain.

1 Corinthians 3:19 provides us with a second witness stating,

“The wisdom of this world is foolishness with God”.

How Do I Obtain Good Wisdom!

James 1:5
5If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”

That answers the question. If we hope to obtain wisdom, then we must seek out our Father and ask Him to shower us with wisdom and knowledge from above, wisdom from His most precious Word. When our Father provides this wisdom He gives it to us “liberally” which means “bountifully” and He does not “upbraideth” which means to “taunt” us.

Our Father loves us very much, as a matter of fact, that is what He wants from us, our love (Hosea 6:6).

Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ brought forward the same message as Mark saying,

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.” – Matthew 7:7

Did you notice work was required?

Christ said to “ask“, “seek” and then we will “find“. Christ is telling us, nothing is going to be given to us for free (Psalms 62:12, Revelation 22:12). Wisdom and understanding take time to obtain, it takes prayer, much work, and effort on our part.

Now, before you begin praying for a new Corvette or Ferrari, remember, we are talking about good wisdom, right?

We are talking about wisdom from above, not wisdom of the world. That new car may look really good, but how on earth is that going to enrich your life?

Will that car bring you closer to God?

Will that car bring you and your family closer together?

Not really, there are only two seats to begin with! All jokes aside, let us quote Jesus Christ once more,

“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” – Matthew 6:21

That really puts things into perspective and it is such a powerful message.

Where is your focus?

If our mind is focused on praying for a new car and the things of this world, then we are not very focused on God or the things that truly matter in our life.

Instead, we should be focused on bringing God into our lives and those around us. Ask Him for knowledge of the Bible which is true wisdom and knowledge that lasts forever. This wisdom will not only spiritually bless us today and bring us rewards on earth, but it will bring everlasting rewards in our Father’s Eternal Kingdom (Daniel 7:25, Matthew 5:5).

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” – James 1:17

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