Message posted July 18, 2008:

“How can I gain more wisdom and understanding?”

Opening prayer:

“Lord, give your servant a discerning heart to distinguish between right and wrong. Give me the wisdom comes from knowing you, and guide me as I develop into the person you intended for me to become. Teach me to be more like you, and let me set a good example for all those I come in contact with. This I ask in Jesus’ name, Amen.”

Why should you want to be wise?

With wisdom comes confidence, and with confidence comes success. A wise person is more able to distinguish between right and wrong, and to take steps to correct all that is wrong in this world so that the world may eventually return to the state of grace it was in when originally created by God. True wisdom comes from knowledge of the Lord.

Bible readings:

Daniel 12:3

3 Those who are wise (or who impart wisdom) will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.

Proverbs 10:1

1 The proverbs of Solomon:
       A wise son brings joy to his father,
       but a foolish son grief to his mother

Proverbs 3:13

13 Blessed is the man who finds wisdom,
       the man who gains understanding,

Proverbs 4:7 

7 Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom.
       Though it cost all you have, get understanding.

Proverbs 8:11

11 for wisdom is more precious than rubies,
       and nothing you desire can compare with her.

2 Chronicles 1:10

10 Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?"

What are the secrets of the wise?

A wise person has learned that they can learn more by listening with their ears than with speaking with their mouth. An unwise person speaks without the knowledge or understanding of what he is saying. People will come to a wise man to take on his wisdom, but they will run away from an unwise man because his words are misleading. A truly wise person will use their knowledge for the good of others while an unwise person is only concerned with personal gain.

Bible readings:

Proverbs 23:23

23 Buy the truth and do not sell it;
       get wisdom, discipline and understanding.

Proverbs 9:10

10 "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,
       and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

Ecclesiastes 9:17

17 The quiet words of the wise are more to be heeded
       than the shouts of a ruler of fools.

Proverbs 9:9

9 Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still;
       teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning.

Where does wisdom come from?

True wisdom is a gift from God. You must ask God to make you wise.

Bible readings:

Job 28:12-23

12 "But where can wisdom be found?
       Where does understanding dwell?

13 Man does not comprehend its worth;
       it cannot be found in the land of the living.

14 The deep says, 'It is not in me';
       the sea says, 'It is not with me.'

15 It cannot be bought with the finest gold,
       nor can its price be weighed in silver.

16 It cannot be bought with the gold of Ophir,
       with precious onyx or sapphires.

17 Neither gold nor crystal can compare with it,
       nor can it be had for jewels of gold.

18 Coral and jasper are not worthy of mention;
       the price of wisdom is beyond rubies.

19 The topaz of Cush cannot compare with it;
       it cannot be bought with pure gold.

20 "Where then does wisdom come from?
       Where does understanding dwell?

21 It is hidden from the eyes of every living thing,
       concealed even from the birds of the air.

22 Destruction and Death say,
       'Only a rumor of it has reached our ears.'

23 God understands the way to it
       and he alone knows where it dwells,

How do I make myself wise?

Matthew7:7 reads “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” Ask God to make you wise and promise you will use your wisdom to learn more about God and to lead others toward righteousness. Once you receive wisdom from God, take it upon yourself to help yourself learn as much as possible by reading and studying, by attending classes, by learning from others by example, and by meditating on the scriptures.

Bible readings:

James 1:5

5If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

Psalm 111:10

10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom;
       all who follow his precepts have good understanding.

Proverbs 2:6

6 For the LORD gives wisdom,
       and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.

1 Corinthians 12:8

8To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit,

Ephesians 1:17

17I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.

Colossians 2:1-3

1I want you to know how much I am struggling for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally. 2My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, 3in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

James 1:5

5If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

Proverbs 13:20

20 He who walks with the wise grows wise,
       but a companion of fools suffers harm.

Proverbs 16:23

23 A wise man's heart guides his mouth,
       and his lips promote instruction.

Once you are wise, do not be boastful or feel superior to others.

A wise person allows others to learn of their wisdom and is willing to help others become wise; an unwise person has to tell others how wise they are, and is resentful of those whose are wiser than themselves.

Jeremiah 9:23

23 This is what the LORD says:
       "Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom
       or the strong man boast of his strength
       or the rich man boast of his riches,

Ezekiel 28:6-7

6 " 'Therefore this is what the Sovereign LORD says:
" 'Because you think you are wise,
       as wise as a god,

7 I am going to bring foreigners against you,
       the most ruthless of nations;
       they will draw their swords against your beauty and wisdom
       and pierce your shining splendor.

Proverbs 11:2

2 When pride comes, then comes disgrace,
       but with humility comes wisdom.

Proverbs 13:10

10 Pride only breeds quarrels,
       but wisdom is found in those who take advice.

James 3:13

13Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.

And remember, there is always at least one who is wiser than you!

No matter how wise you become, you will never be as wise as God!

1 Corinthians 1:25

25For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength.

Closing prayer:

“Dear God, thank you for sharing all these wonderful words of wisdom, written down by your prophets so that we may learn from them. Help me to better understand Your Word so that I might grow in wisdom and in character. Lead me to others who have knowledge to share, and help me to avoid false prophets who are full of misleading and incorrect information. For this, I thank you, in Jesus’ name, Amen.”