Value Wisdom

“And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men” (Luke 2:52).

The Greek word here for “favor” is charis, which is also translated as “grace” in many places in the Bible. The word “stature” includes the concept of maturity. But what is wisdom? The Word of God tells us, “Wisdom is the principal thing” (Prov. 4:7). Yet, without a thorough understanding of this concept, how can we measure our growth and increase in it? While I do not pretend to have the final word on any subject, I do want to share with you what the Lord has revealed to me about the definition of wisdom.

Wisdom is the grace to prioritize and correctly apply knowledge for the greatest 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. It is the grace to help us keep the main thing the main thing. A. R. Bernard, author and pastor of Christian Cultural Center in Brooklyn, New York, said, “This generation is information rich and wisdom poor.” That is a sad but true statement. We have never before seen a time when information is more available. This generation can access it at their fingertips. Yet we still see major dysfunction in families, hatred and violence in society, and animosity and division among the leaders of our nation. Information alone cannot resolve the problems we face. The answers to our problems are only discovered and resolved in God’s wisdom.

To more fully understand this concept of wisdom, we must know the difference between wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. This is what the Lord revealed to me that has helped me personally walk in wisdom in my life. Knowledge is the accumulation of truth and facts. Understanding is the proper arrangement of truth and facts (so you know where you have filed it and can easily access it again). Wisdom is the proper application of truth and facts (so you apply the right principle of truth to the right person at the right time). One verse that confirms this revelation is found in the book of Proverbs, “The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly” (Prov. 15:2).

A wise person knows how to apply knowledge appropriately. Have you ever met someone with little tact? It seems they are always putting their foot in their mouth, saying the wrong thing, or maybe the right thing but at the wrong time.

We have a close acquaintance known for his misspeaking. He is often condescending and talks over others’ heads to impress people with his knowledge. He uses words and terms normal people— even educated people—don’t typically use or understand. What he doesn’t realize is we cannot bless those we are trying to impress. Why is that? Because impressing others is about us, not others. And when our focus is on ourselves rather than others, we can be certain that our thoughts, words, and actions are void of God’s wisdom.

The important thing to remember when sharing truth with people is that only truth spoken in love blesses others (Eph. 4:15). Also, “a word in season” encourages the weary (Isa. 50:4). If the truth can be spoken in love, then it can also be spoken outside of love. If we can speak a word in season to the weary, that implies it is also possible to speak a word “out of season” that fails to encourage the weary. As we will see later in this book, there is a strong connection between wisdom and love. Have you ever received a truth that wasn’t shared in love, or a word not spoken in season or at the appropriate time? I am sure each of us can share examples of being on the receiving end of such wrong applications of truth. One thing is certain: that is not wisdom! It reminds me of the old Chinese proverb, “Do not attempt to remove a fly from your friend’s forehead with a hatchet.”

In the simplest definition I can give, wisdom is the appropriate application of knowledge. But understanding the definition is not enough. We must value it correctly. Again, Proverbs tells us wisdom is the principal thing (Prov. 4:7). It is the priority. It is the first, the most important, the main thing in our lives. King Solomon, the wisest man in earth’s history (prior to Jesus’ birth), demonstrated his understanding of the priority and value of wisdom in an interaction he had with the Lord just after becoming king of Israel.

On that night God appeared to Solomon, and said to him, “Ask! What shall I give you?” And Solomon said to God: “You have shown great mercy to David my father, and have made me king in his place. Now, O Lord God, let Your promise to David my father be established, for You have made me king over a people like the dust of the earth in multitude. 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?” Then God said to Solomon: “Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked riches or wealth or honor or the life of your enemies, nor have you asked long life–but have asked wisdom and knowledge for yourself, that you may judge My people over whom I have made you king–wisdom and knowledge are granted to you; and I will give you riches and wealth and honor, such as none of the kings have had who were before you, nor shall any after you have the like” (2 Chronicles 1:7-12).

Either God put this desire directly in Solomon’s heart, or Solomon was taught this and had it modeled to him by his father David. In either case, Solomon knew what to ask for when presented with this question regarding the task of ruling over Israel. This is a great example to help us understand how to value and prioritize one biblical principle over another. While riches, honor, long life, and victory over our enemies are each important aspects of God’s will for our lives, none of those principles trump wisdom. Just as in Solomon’s life, when we seek God’s wisdom and value it above what the world seeks, we will not only find wisdom, but all those other things will be added to us as well.

Adapted from Greg Mohr’s book, Walking in Wisdom.