TEXT: James 1:5
BY: Bro. Jeremiah Emakpor
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The Holy Writ (Bible) speaks of two kinds of wisdom – earthly and divine.
It says of earthly wisdom in Jam. 3:13-16 thus,
“Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? Let him show out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.”
Contrarily, the Bible speaks of divine wisdom as follow:
“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.” (James 3:17).
A possessor of divine wisdom exudes meekness (James 3:13).
God is the source of divine wisdom:
“For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly.” (Proverbs 2:6-7).
Wisdom is not the same as earthly knowledge. We can know a lot of stuff and still be foolish. With worldly wisdom, we may become educated and have “common sense”.
Wisdom is found in and begins with God. We find true wisdom on the basis of our relationship with Him. We find true wisdom by humbly submitting to God and obeying His commands (Psalms 111:10).
Divine or godly wisdom is a capacity of the human mind that allows us to understand life from God’s perspective. Godly wisdom comes with knowledge and understanding of the things of God (Proverbs 2:9-10). Godly wisdom often requires us to do that which is opposite our natural inclinations. Divine wisdom goes against the “conventional wisdom” of the day. It is not focused on self-preservation but on furthering the kingdom of God. We can only live in godly wisdom when we are committed to crucifying our flesh and living in the Spirit (Gal. 2:20, Eph. 5:16, 25).
King Solomon says those who get wisdom love life:
“He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth understanding shall find good.” (Proverbs 19:8).
Solomon encourages us to “get wisdom” (Proverbs 4:5); that it’s better to get wisdom than silver and gold (Proverbs 16:16, 8:11, 18-19); and that those who get wisdom find life and receive favour from the Lord (Proverbs 8:32-35).
“How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!” (Proverbs 16:16).
Wisdom is beckoning on us to possess him:
“Wisdom crieth without; she utterreth her voice in the streets: She crieth in the chief place of concourse, in the opening of the gates: in the city she uttereth her words, saying, How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? And the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge? Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.” (Proverbs 1:20-23).
Blessed is the one who seeks and finds wisdom (Proverbs 3:13-18).
The wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight:
“For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.” (1 Corinthians 3:19).
The Lord knows that the thoughts of the earthly wise man are futile (1 Corinthians 3:20). Godly wisdom is, of course, from God and honours God. Worldly wisdom, on the other hand, is not concerned with honouring God but with pleasing oneself. Godly wisdom enables us to prepare ourselves for eternity. With divine wisdom, we trade earthly values for biblical values (1 John 2:15-16). We recognize we are citizens of another kingdom, and we make choices that reflect that allegiance (Philippians 1:27, 3:20).
Godly or divine wisdom starts with the fear of God and results in a holy life (Proverbs 9:10). It continues with learning of God’s word (Psalms 119:98-100, 130, 169). Summarily, to obtain divine wisdom, we must fear God, study His word and prayerfully desire to understand life from God’s perspective (Proverbs 9:10, 2:4, James 1:5, Psalms 19:7).
Remember that, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.” (Proverbs 9:10).
“Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts.” (Psalms 119:98-100).
We can also develop divine wisdom by carefully selecting those who journey through life with us (Proverbs 13:20).
If we don’t yield to God but instead follow our own will, way and wisdom, then we are really foolish.
Therefore, it is obligatory for us to ask for divine wisdom (James 1:5).
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