Focus: Wisdom

Text: 1Tim.1:17

"Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, THE ONLY WISE GOD, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen."

In this life wisdom is a fundamental necessity. Our text says that God alone is wise. This statement is repeated in Rom.16:27 and in Jude 1:25. The universe is a proof of God's wisdom. Everywhere we look we see God's wisdom in action. God is infinitely brilliant, intelligent and wise. Wisdom is known or seen by what it says and does. Wisdom is the practical side of intelligence. There are many intelligent people who are not wise. Wisdom shows itself in how we conduct our lives.

*The genesis

Solomon says that "wisdom is the principal thing…"(Prov.4:7). The word 'principal' means genesis - a starting point. It is rê'shîyth in Hebrew, and used in Gen.1:1 - "In the beginning…"

Wisdom is first in rank. It is man's chief need and his biggest asset. Life without wisdom is a liability. I once read that matter without mind falls by its own weight, and that is a fact. You may have muscle and be bereft of wisdom at the same time. We see people who possess so much energy, but who have little or no wisdom.

*Two kinds of wisdom

James describes for us two types of wisdom. He says, "This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish" (Jam.3:15). This is the earthly or worldly wisdom, and it is soulish and diabolical. Satan is so much behind human wisdom. Satan has corrupted man's wisdom. The character of earthly wisdom is appalling.

The other kind of wisdom is described as wisdom from above or heavenly wisdom. James says, "But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceful, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy" (Jam.3:17). This is God's wisdom - spotless and beneficial. It touches life in all aspects.

*The fear of God

Solomon says, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of KNOWLEDGE… The fear of the LORD is the beginning of WISDOM: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding" (Prov.1:7; 9:10). So be it knowledge or wisdom, if it is from God, it is characterized by the fear of the Lord. That is its trademark. Heavenly wisdom is rooted in godly fear or reverence for God. The fear of God is wisdom's taproot. It is the genesis of wisdom. You cannot be said to be wise if you do not have fear for God. To fear God means having regard for God, following His orders and living by His dictates. James declares, "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" (Jam.3:13). You show or manifest wisdom through your choices and actions, beliefs and behaviors. The character of godly wisdom is appealing.

*The conclusion

What's your kind or brand of wisdom? It's time to ask God for an heavenly wisdom. It's time to live wisely. Wisdom makes you shine; it bestows beauty and glory upon you. It's time to brandish God's wisdom. Demonic wisdom hurts and harms, but God's wisdom helps and hedges.

by Bishop Moses E. Peter