God possesses absolute wisdom, signifying He has total enlightenment and comprehension of all matters and behaves accordingly. His wisdom far surpasses human understanding, yet He is the fountainhead of wisdom and kindly bestows it upon those who seek it.
In a day where the world promotes acting wise in your own eyes, God’s Word makes it clear that that isn’t wisdom at all. The Bible states that true wisdom (the wisdom that comes from God) is more precious than gold (Prov 16:16). Let’s take a closer look at this incredible attribute of God according to The Bible and what it means for us.
What is Wisdom?
Wisdom is the application of knowledge. To make decisions based on understanding and truth is to be wise. God’s wisdom is superior in every way to human wisdom. Because God knows all things (He is omniscient) and is always 100% successful in applying that knowledge, He doesn’t make mistakes, forget, or miscalculate anything.
Wisdom on Display in The Bible
Wisdom is mentioned and implied in three distinct ways in the Scriptures. Wisdom is an inherent part of God’s nature, God is the source of all wisdom, and in the gospel (Jesus’ redeeming work on the cross He carried) wisdom abounds.
God: The Wise Creator
God is always wise, it is an integral part of His unchanging nature. And His wisdom is far greater than we could ever comprehend. It is unsearchable! Because He is perfect in wisdom, his ways and his decisions are superior (perfect!) and to be trusted.
Romans 11:33 (ESV) Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!
God’s ways are not our ways, but He is always wise. Consider the life of Joseph. He was sold into slavery by his older jealous brothers, falsely accused of adultery, and imprisoned for years. But God in His wisdom had a plan. Through Joseph, the nation of Israel was saved. God, in His wisdom, meant it for good (Gen 50:20)!
God: The Giver of Wisdom
Not only is God always wise but He is the source and giver of wisdom. He longs for His people to walk in wisdom. We see this in different ways in the Bible.
God gives wisdom to the one who asks
One of the best examples of a prayer for wisdom in the Bible is Solomon—the king who asked for wisdom over riches and power. This request so pleased God that He not only blessed Solomon with incredible wisdom but with riches and honor too (1 Kings 3:13)!
James 1:5 (ESV) If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.
God also gives wisdom through His Word
As we read and understand God’s Word (with the help of the Holy Spirit), we gain understanding and wisdom. We learn to fear God, which is the beginning of wisdom.
Psalm 19:7 (ESV) The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
God’s Word makes us aware of our position before God and our desperate need for a Savior (Jesus)—this is wisdom! (2 Tim 3:15)
God gives wisdom through fellow believers
God never meant for us to walk alone—He made us for community and by walking with fellow believers who are more spiritually mature, we can learn wisdom.
Proverbs 13:20 (ESV) Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.
Christ: The Wisdom of the Gospel
God’s wisdom is on full display in the birth, life, trial, and death of His Son, Jesus Christ. In Jesus is hidden all wisdom and knowledge (Col 2:3)—Jesus is God after all!
To recognise your sin (rebellion against God), see your need for a Savior, accept His work on the cross to pay for your sins, and to glory in His resurrection, is to be wise!
1 Corinthians 1:30 (ESV) And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption
The Holy Spirit: Walking in Wisdom
The final part of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit, is also on display when it comes to the wisdom of God. He leads us into all truth and guides us in the way we should go. As we lean into Him and walk in step with Him, we will be walking in wisdom.
What Does God’s Wisdom Mean for Us?
Because God is always wise we can place our faith in Him even when things aren’t going our way—His ways are far better! Because God is always wise, we can trust His Word—it will never let us down and contains everything we need to know to live a life that honours Him (2 Tim 3:16-17)!
To live a life that is grounded on the wisdom of God, is to live a life according to God’s will. The result? Joy and happiness—happiness that isn’t dependent on our circumstances, but on our hope in our only wise God.
The wisdom that comes from God leads to happiness—true happiness that lasts forever (Prov 24:13-14)!
