Wednesday, September 22, 2010

WISDOM – WHAT IT IS – WHERE IT’S FOUND – WHAT IT COSTS!

James 1:5 KJV

5 If 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.

1. Wisdom – what is it?

Wisdom as used in James 1:5 is the Greek word sophia and means: “understanding, knowledge, insight, perception, astuteness, intelligence, acumen good judgment, prudence, and my personal favorite, good sense!”

It is best recognized when it is absent from any circumstance or when staring at the broken ruins resulting from some bone-head decision or action. Even with so many synonyms we are not as familiar with it as we’d like to be.

Paul, in his writings, was keen on knowing what God was thinking. He wanted to know “the mind of the Spirit” in Romans 8:27; “the mind of the Lord” in Romans 11:34; “the mind of Christ” in 1 Corinthians 2:16. It is hard to argue that whatever God is thinking regarding any situation is wisdom.

2. Wisdom – where is it found?

Mr. Vine, in his dictionary of Old Testament words says that wisdom [chokmah] is: “experience or shrewdness” and is found 141 times in the Old Testament. Curiously it is found most often in Job, Proverbs and Ecclesiastes. If wisdom is experience then experience is the result of trouble. In Romans 5 there seems to be a process outlined. Tribulation, hard times, forces one to wait, which results in experience, which leads to hope, which results in confidence, which is caused by the provident care of God.

Rom 5:3-5 KJV

3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:

5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

If wisdom is the knowledge and ability to make the right choices at the most opportune time then doing so consistently is indication of maturity and development. First Timothy 3:6 cautions against giving too much responsibility to a “novice” or neophutos which means “newly planted.” Just as we don’t expect fruit to be produced by a tender plant so we must wait for maturity. Overseers of these neophytes must be willing to mentor them through many periods where wisdom is absent simply due to a lack of experience.

3. Wisdom – what does it cost?

Since wisdom also is a moral as well as an intellectual quality, it costs long hours at the feet of the Master.

Prov 8:33-36 KJV

33 Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.

34 Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.

35 For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD.

36 But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.

Because wisdom is a result of experience it may cost pain.

Ps 119:71 KJV

71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.

Because wisdom is a gift it is received by asking.

James 1:5 AMPLIFIED

5 If any of you is deficient in wisdom, let him ask of the giving God [Who gives] to everyone liberally and ungrudgingly, without reproaching or faultfinding, and it will be given him.

Dear Lord, I need your wisdom to make it through this day. Thank you for giving it to me. AMEN