Two Kinds of Wisdom

There are two kinds of wisdom: godly wisdom and worldly wisdom. The wisdom from God is pure, while worldly wisdom is earthly, sensual, and demonic. The contrast between godly wisdom and worldly wisdom is startling!

Godly Wisdom

• Pure
• Peaceful
• Gentle
• Reasonable
• Full of mercy
• Full of good fruits
• Free from partiality
• Free from hypocrisy

Worldly Wisdom

• Rooted in bitter jealousy
• Rooted in selfish ambition
• Boastful
• Lies against the truth
• Earthly, sensual, and demonic
• Full of confusion
• Full of evil deeds

Here is the Biblical passage.

“Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by his good conduct that his deeds are done in gentleness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, don’t boast and don’t lie against the truth.”

“This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, sensual, and demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition are, there is confusion and every evil deed.”

“But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceful, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.” ~James 3:13-17 WEB

Wisdom is God’s Treasure

Wisdom is one of God’s greatest treasures, and He offers wisdom to all who seek Him. Our part is to ask, seek, and knock.

“Ask, and it will be given you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and it will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives. He who seeks finds. To him who knocks it will be opened.” ~Matthew 7:7-8 WEB

• ASK/RECEIVE – “If any of you lacks wisdom [to guide him through a decision or circumstance], he is to ask of [our benevolent] God who gives to everyone generously and without rebuke or blame, and it will be given to him.” ~James 1:5 AMP
• SEEK/FIND – “If you will receive my words and treasure my commandments within you, make your ear attentive to wisdom, incline your heart to understanding; for if you cry for discernment, lift your voice for understanding; if you seek her as silver and search for her as for hidden treasures; then you will discern the fear of the Lord and discover the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.” ~Proverbs 2:1-6 NASB
• KNOCK/DOOR OPENED – “For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.” ~Proverbs 2:6 NIV

Wisdom Starts with God

Wisdom begins with God, who created the heavens and the earth.

“The Lord by wisdom founded the earth, by understanding He established the heavens.” ~Proverbs 3:19 NASB

“For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.” ~Proverbs 2:6 NIV

“With Him are wisdom and might; to Him belong counsel and understanding.” ~Job 12:13 NASB

Our Wisdom Starts with the Fear of the Lord

King David wrote, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all those who do His commandments; His praise endures forever.” ~Psalm 111:10 NASB

King Solomon penned, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,” and “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding,” and “wisdom’s instruction is to fear the Lord, and humility comes before honor.” ~Proverbs 1:7; 9:10; 15:33 NIV

Jesus is Wisdom

Wisdom is Jesus Himself.

“Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. It is because of Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.” ~1 Corinthians 1:24c, 30 NIV

“That they may know the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, in whom all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden.” ~Colossians 2:2d-3 WEB

Cultivate Wisdom

We can agree with the Apostle Paul in prayer, “That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him.” ~Ephesians 1:17 NASB

“Godly wisdom starts with the fear of God and results in a holy life. Godly wisdom enables us to prepare ourselves for eternity. With godly wisdom, we trade earthly values for Biblical values. We recognize we are citizens of another kingdom, and we make choices that reflect that allegiance. Having godly wisdom means we strive to see life from God’s perspective.” [GQ]

We can cultivate wisdom through our relationship with God the Father when we ask, seek, and knock for divine revelation; through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, who is Wisdom; and through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, who teaches us all things.

Recommendations

Cultivate Meekness 5 Targeted and Valuable Reasons to Cultivate Meekness – Strength with Dignity

Jesus is the Great I AM  Who Do You Say I Am? – Strength with Dignity

References

100 Bible Verses about Wisdom. Published by Open Bible. Retrieved May 28, 2024, from What Does the Bible Say About Wisdom? (openbible.info)

Amplified Bible (AMP) Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631. All rights reserved.

Amplified Bible, Classis Edition (AMPC) Copyright 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation.

Martin, Chris. 81 Bible Verses on Wisdom. Published by Bible to Life on October 24, 2022, and updated on April 12, 2023. Retrieved May 28, 2024, from 81 Bible Verses on Wisdom | Bible to Life

New American Standard Bible 1995 (NASB1995), copyright 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.

New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.®

Webster’s 1828 Dictionary. Retrieved May 28, 2024, from Webster’s Dictionary 1828 – Webster’s Dictionary 1828 – Wisdom

What is godly wisdom? Published by Got Questions [GQ]. Updated on January 4, 2022. Retrieved May 28, 2024, from What is godly wisdom? | GotQuestions.org

World English Bible (WEB) by Public Domain. The name “World English Bible” is trademarked.

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