What is Wisdom?

Proverbs 9:10

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

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Wisdom is one of those things that most people want to be able to say they have, but is rarely understood. We like being called wise, we like having the answers, but that isn;t what wisdom is about.

What is Wisdom? 

Wisdom is putting knowledge into practice. It's not about knowing a lot, it's about applying that knowledge to our lives. For example, if I know that snakes bite and kill people and I am confronted by one, it would be wise for me to not only know that they are dangerous but to avoid the snake. Some people would play around with it or throw rocks at it, but the wise thing to do would be to go the other way and find a differed route.

A more serious example: Wisdom is not only hearing that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23), it's not only understanding that the result of our sin is God's wrath (i.e. hell eternally). Wisdom is putting that knowledge into practice: Turning to God in repentance and faith, looking to jesus who alone can save. Looking to Jesus who is God, but came to earth as a man and didn't sin. Who died in our place and tells us that if we put our faith in him there is complete forgiveness because he takes God's wrath on the cross for us. True wisdom is following Christ.

What then is the Fear of the Lord?

Fear of God is a big theme in the bible, and it comes up in a large number of verses. But true wisdom is putting your faith in Christ, and therefore the fear of God is directly linked to that. The fear of the LORD is knowing that he is perfect and holy. Knowing that he cannot stand sin, and turning to him in repentance and faith. The fear of the LORD is giving up sin and praying for God's mercy, realising that only he can save, and that those who reject him will face his judgement.

But that's only the beginning. Once we become Christians we need to act like it. Don't just say you're a Christian and live the same as you did before. True repentance involves turning from sin, and it needs to affect our lives. How do we know what to change?

• Read the bible and apply it to your life. This is a big general one: from the bible you can learn how to obey and honour God.

• Pray. Pray for God's help to learn and grow, pray for his wisdom, and pray for him to shape and mould you.

From those two things God will work in you and show you his ways if you truly do want to live for him. 

Here's another post about this: http://crossshapedstuff.com/2013/08/12/be-good-at-life/

True wisdom comes from God. Have you taken the first step and put your faith in him?

God Bless,

Nat.