Table of Contents
Wisdom
Wisdom (Gr. sophia) means, in the Bible, “broad and full intelligence” (Luke 2:52; 1 Corinthians 1:17). It encompasses more than true knowledge, because knowledge alone does not guarantee right action. It assists the believers to assign the right value to the things in life. And it ensures that any Christian can find the strength and understanding that will help him triumph over sin and successfully deal with the trials of life.
How to Receive Wisdom?
In order to prosper, believers need daily to make sure that their minds have been anointed with heavenly light. God is the source of all truth (Proverbs 2:6). And He is eager to bless His children with His spiritual gifts (Matthew 7:11; Luke 18:1–18). He promised, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him” (James 1:5).
Our heavenly Father is as much a “giving” God as He is a “righteous” God. In fact, Psalms145:17–19 says, that He is always ready to “fulfil the desire of them that fear him.” It is God’s nature to give (John 3:16). So, when His children pray for wisdom, He grants them their requests without hesitation. This fact should encourage the believers to boldly make known to God their petitions for enlightenment (Hebrews 4:16; Matthew 7:11).
Different Ways God Imparts Wisdom
There are different ways in which God can supply this gift to those that ask:
1-He may increase the seekers’ understanding of His Word, so that they discern His will. The Lord wants His children to develop the habit of making good decisions on the basis of His revealed principles in Scripture (Philippians 1:9).
2-He may convict the seekers’ hearts by His Holy Spirit as to what course of action would be best to take in order to protect them from the deceptive plans of Satan (Isaiah 30:21).
3-He may speak to the seekers through godly friends, or by creating incidents and circumstances in such a way as to show His will.
4-In addition, the Lord expects His children to use their intelligence and common sense in solving the problems of life under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
After the seekers have consulted every available source of heavenly wisdom, they should wait patiently and trustfully keep their hearts open to God. And they will receive His answer. For He promised, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you” (Matthew 7:7).
Conditional Promise
“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 1:6-8).
The Christian must come to his heavenly Father, confident in His power and willingness to assist him, resting in the certainty of His promises, and pleading his need. And God will grant him his request. God wants the cooperation of man and this cooperation would be insufficient if there was doubt. True faith rises above the test of time or circumstance.
If the Christian doubts as to whether God will answer his prayer, he will not be blessed. The doubter may be unsure, not only as to whether or not God will grant him his request, but also as to whether God will ask him to sacrifice something he is not willing to give up. He is not ready to submit his will to the Lord. On the other hand, a person who is sure of God’s willingness to grant his needs and who without reservation yields his life to God, will certainly be blessed with all the wisdom he needs in order to prosper (Isaiah 57:20).
In His service,
BibeAsk Team