Godly Wisdom; 5 Really Simple Steps To This Ability

People who use godly wisdom love and respect God. They listen to Him and are glad to obey.

Introduction

With great pleasure, we present the 3rd revision of our first complete Bible study, ‘Godly Wisdom‘, divine judgment. The keys for this Bible study are based on 5 words: Hear, respect, avoid, get, and use.

Follow these five really simple steps to the wisdom from God:

1. Hear and obey the word of God – Step #1.
2. Respect {fear} God – Step #2.
3. Avoid using the wisdom of the world and repeating mistakes – Step #3.
4. Get Godly wisdom, knowledge, and sound judgment – Step #4.
5. Use Godly wisdom, i.e., wisdom that comes from God – Step #5.

Wisdom defined

Wisdom – Ability to judge {review or resolve} correctly and to follow the best course of action based on broad or complete knowledge {facts and info} and understanding {awareness, insight or intelligence}. Knowing and doing/saying the right thing. Also, knowing what not to do or say. Now and then wisdom is waiting for the right time to act or react. Our wisdom i.e., man’s wisdom, is nothing compared to the wisdom of God.

We should be respectful to God in full submission and true worship; you will benefit the most by using Godly wisdom [from Proverbs 9:12^A].

Primary Hebrew and Greek words

• Hebrew: in the OT חָכמָה chokmah ^* (chok-maw’) is the word used most often for wisdom (in a good sense), good judgment; skillful, wisdom, wisely, wit.
• Greek: in the NT σοφία sophia ^** (so-fiy’-a) is the word used most often for wisdom (higher and spiritual). The knowledge of and doing what is needed for holy and right living.

The Scriptures can make you wise…

Matthew 7:24 (CEV)

Anyone who hears and obeys these teachings of mine is like a wise person who built a house on solid rock.

To find the way of salvation, is the best kind of wisdom; and none are wise who do not make that the great object of life. Barnes

2 Timothy 3:15-17

You have known the Holy Scriptures since you were a child. The Scriptures are able to make you wise. And that wisdom leads to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

16 All Scripture is given by God and is useful for teaching and for showing people what is wrong in their lives. It is useful for correcting faults and teaching how to live right. 17 Using the Scriptures, the person who serves God will be ready and will have everything he needs to do every good work. (ICB)

I pray that God will open your heart to receive His word and apply it to your life.

Skip to the end.

HEAR

Hear and obey the word of God (Study #1). Are you listening to and doing what the Bible says?

Obey God’s teaching! Do not just hear and do nothing. If you hear the teaching and do not obey, you are like people who stare at themselves in a mirror and forget what they look like. God will bless you in everything you do, if you hear and obey. Do not just hear and ignore it. [James 1:22-25^B]

Matthew 7:24-27

Therefore, whoever hears these words of mine, and does them, will be like a wise man, who built his house upon a rock: 25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it did not fall: for it was founded upon a rock.

26 And every one who hears these words of mine, and does not do them, is like a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand: 27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it. (RKJNT)

Be doers and not only hearers

James 1:21-27

Therefore, with humility, set aside all moral filth and the growth of wickedness, and welcome the word planted deep inside you—the very word that is able to save you.

22 You must be doers of the word and not only hearers who mislead themselves. 23 Those who hear but don’t do the word are like those who look at their faces in a mirror. 24 They look at themselves, walk away, and immediately forget what they were like. 25 But there are those who study the perfect law, the law of freedom, and continue to do it.

They don’t listen and then forget, but they put it into practice in their lives. They will be blessed in whatever they do.

26 If those who claim devotion to God don’t control what they say, they mislead themselves. Their devotion is worthless. 27 True devotion, the kind that is pure and faultless before God the Father, is this: to care for orphans and widows in their difficulties and to keep the world from contaminating us. (CEB)

It is better to be poor and do right or be honest than to be wealthy or rich and dishonest or do wrong. Proverbs 16:8

♥ Question for ‘Godly wisdom – Study #1’: Do you hear and obey God’s word?

Skip to the end.

RESPECT

Respect {fear} God (Study #2).

If you respect God, you will obey Him. Oh, my friends, it is a good thing to respect/fear God. Those who respect the Lord, pay attention to and have regard for Him.

Psalms 111:10

The fear of the Lord is the best part of wisdom: all those who keep his laws are wise: his praise is eternal. (BBE)

♦ Wisdom begins with respect for the Lord; those who obey his orders have good understanding. He should be praised forever. (NCV)

The beginning of wisdom

Proverbs 9:7-12

“If you correct someone who makes fun of wisdom, you will get insulted. If you correct an evil person, you will get hurt. 8 Do not correct someone who makes fun of wisdom, or he will hate you. But correct a wise man, and he will love you. 9 Teach a wise man, and he will become even wiser. Teach a good man, and he will learn even more.

10 “Wisdom begins with respect for the Lord. And understanding begins with knowing God, the Holy One. 11 If you live wisely, you will live a long time. Wisdom will add years to your life. 12 The wise person is rewarded by his wisdom. But a person who makes fun of wisdom will suffer for it.” (ICB)

Fear {respect} and obey

Ecclesiastes 12:9-14

Keep this in mind: The Teacher was considered wise, and he taught the people everything he knew. He listened carefully to many proverbs, studying and classifying them. 10 The Teacher sought to find just the right words to express truths clearly. 11 The words of the wise are like cattle prods—painful but helpful. Their collected sayings are like a nail-studded stick with which a shepherd drives the sheep.

12 But, my child, let me give you some further advice: Be careful, for writing books is endless, and much study wears you out. 13 That’s the whole story. Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty. 14 God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad. (NLT)

♥ Question for ‘Godly wisdom – Study #2’: Do you respect {fear} God?

Skip to the end.

AVOID

Avoid using the wisdom of the world and repeating mistakes (Study #3).

Godly wisdom leads to eternal life for those who believe. Nontheists, atheists, agnostics, and those who believe in evolution are prone to worldly wisdom as opposed to Godly wisdom. However, there are many believers who have not mastered using the wisdom from God.

For instance, many ‘Christians believe in God but do not believe the Bible is true’. I realize this is a topic for another study or lesson and will not entertain comments here. So sorry; you will get your chance later.

Foolish wisdom

1 Corinthians 1:18-25

The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God. 19 As the Scriptures say, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise and discard the intelligence of the intelligent.” [Isaiah 29:14] 20 So where does this leave the philosophers, the scholars, and the world’s brilliant debaters? God has made the wisdom of this world look foolish.

21 Since God in his wisdom saw to it that the world would never know him through human wisdom, He has used our foolish preaching to save those who believe. 22 It is foolish to the Jews, who ask for signs from heaven. And it is foolish to the Greeks, who seek human wisdom.

Wisdom of God

23 So when we preach that Christ was crucified, the Jews are offended and the Gentiles say it’s all nonsense. 24 But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God.

25 This foolish plan of God is wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God’s weakness is stronger than the greatest of human strength. (NLT)

Worldly vs. Godly wisdom

Whoever thinks they are wise by the standards of the world should get rid of that idea. Then they can get wisdom from God. The Lord knows what we are thinking; compared to His thoughts ours are empty and useless or worthless.

Note: [compare Psalms 94:11 and Ecclesiastes 1:2].

1 Corinthians 3:18-23

Do not fool [deceive] yourselves. If you think you are wise in this world [age], you should become a fool so that you can become truly wise, 19 because the wisdom of this world is foolishness [folly] with God. [For] It is written in the Scriptures, “He catches those who are wise in their own clever traps [craftiness; cunning; Job 5:13].”

20 It is also written in the Scriptures [And again], “The Lord knows what wise people think [the thoughts/reasoning/machinations of the wise]. He knows their thoughts are worthless [pointless; useless; futile; Psalms 94:11].” 21 So you should not brag [boast] about human leaders [people]. All things belong to you:

22 Paul, Apollos, and Peter [Cephas; Peter’s name in Aramaic]; the world, life, death, the present, and the future—all these belong to you. 23 And you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God. (EXB)

Godly thinking

People that require proof in order to believe cannot accept God. Jesus told Thomas, “blessed are those who have not seen, and yet have believed”. You do not have to see God to believe in Him, do you? I recall reading an article where one person argues, “you have not seen your heart or your brain” and you believe they are working to keep you alive and functioning.

We believe in the air we breathe, but we do not see it. Oh, the foolishness of logic and worldly (human) thinking/wisdom have no place in faith-based/Godly thinking.

Colossians 2:8-10

See to it that no one carries you off as spoil or makes you yourselves captive by his so-called philosophy and intellectualism and vain deceit (idle fancies and plain nonsense), following human tradition (men’s ideas of the material rather than the spiritual world), just crude notions following the rudimentary and elemental teachings of the universe and disregarding [the teachings of] Christ (the Messiah). (AMP)

 9 For Christ is not only God-like, He is God in human flesh. 10 When you have Christ, you are complete. He is the head over all leaders and powers. (NLV)

♥ Question for ‘Godly wisdom – Study #3’: Are you using the wisdom of the world?

Skip to the end.

GET

Get Godly wisdom, knowledge, and sound judgment (Study #4).

Proverbs

23:23 Learn the truth and never reject it. Get wisdom, self-control and understanding. (ICB)

4:7 Wisdom is of utmost importance, therefore get wisdom, and with all your effort work to acquire understanding. (ISV)

19:8 Those who get wisdom do themselves a favor, and those who love learning will succeed. (NCV)

I encourage you to get wisdom. Carefully read the following and apply it to your life.

The wisdom of Solomon

from Proverbs

10:19 The more you talk, the more likely you will cross the line and say the wrong thing; but if you are wise, you’ll speak less and with restraint. (The Voice)

14:29 If you stay calm, you are wise, but if you have a hot temper, you only show how stupid you are. (GNT)

15:31-33 Healthy correction is good, and if you accept it, you will be wise. 32 You hurt only yourself by rejecting instruction, but it makes good sense to accept it. 33 Showing respect to the Lord will make you wise, and being humble will bring honor to you. (CEV)

Thinking well is wise, planning well is wiser, but doing well is wisest. – Malcolm Forbes.

Wise sayings of Agur

Are you familiar with the ‘Wise Sayings (or Wisdom) of Agur’ (Proverbs 30)? A few examples:

• Every word of God is pure (tested): he is a breastplate to those who put their faith in him.
• If you are foolishly bragging or planning something evil, then stop it now!
• If you stay angry, you get in trouble.
• Greed has two daughters. Their names are ‘Give me. Give me.’

Ask God…

If you do not have wisdom, ask God for it. He is always ready to give it to you and will never say you are wrong for asking [James 1:5 (NLV)].

♥ Question for ‘Godly wisdom – Study #4’: Have you asked God for wisdom?

Skip to the end.

USE

I urge you to use Godly wisdom, i.e., wisdom that comes from God (Study #5).

Godly wisdom at one time was a special and rare gift. For example, God gave Joseph [Acts 7:9-10] and Solomon wisdom [1 Kings 3:12; 2 Chronicles 1:12]. Jesus told His disciples “I will give you wisdom…”. That wisdom is available to all who ask.

Jesus advised the disciples to use Godly wisdom: i.e., allow the Holy Spirit to work through them [Acts 6:8-15 (10)] and remain faithful (persevere;  patiently endure). The reward will be eternal life (possess/win your souls) [see Matthew 10:22, 24:13; Hebrews 10:26-39 (36)].

Promised to the disciples of Christ

Luke 21:14-19

Therefore, settle it in your hearts, not to meditate beforehand how you shall answer: 15 For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to resist or refute.

16 And you shall be betrayed both by parents, and brothers, and relatives, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death.

17 And you shall be hated by all for my name’s sake. 18 But not a hair of your head shall perish. 19 By your perseverance you shall win your souls. (RKJNT)

True wisdom is ‘the fear of the Lord’ (Job 28:28) and comes from God (1 Kings 4:29; Ecclesiastes 2:26; Ephesians 1:17).

Be wise

Child of God be wise in what you think, say, and do. Allow the word of God and Holy Spirit to assist as YOU change YOU.

Colossians 4:5-6

Be wise in the way you act with those who are not believers. Use your time in the best way you can.

6 When you talk, you should always be kind and wise. Then you will be able to answer everyone in the way you should. (ERV)

Tweet the following quote:

Godly wisdom is proved by the results. ― Tim

Live your life wisely

Wisdom from heaven (God) is pure, i.e., free from error—holy, and perfect. The Godly wise love peace.

James 3:13-18

Who [then] is the wise and understanding person among you? He should show by his good conduct [that he has] deeds of gentleness [stemming] from wisdom. 14 But if you people have bitter jealousy and rivalry in your hearts, do not be arrogant [over it] and deny the truth.

15 This “wisdom” is not the kind that comes from [God] above, but is earthly, unspiritual and demonic [i.e., it is motivated by an evil spirit and not the Holy Spirit]. 16 For when jealousy and rivalry exist, there is [also] disorder and every [kind of] evil practice.

17 But the [true] wisdom, which is from [God] above, is first of all pure, then peace-loving, patient and easily persuaded. [It is] full of mercy and produces a crop of good deeds; [it is] impartial [or, unwavering] and sincere. 18 [People who are] peacemakers sow [seeds of] peace and it produces a crop of righteousness [in the lives of others]. (AUV)

Question for ‘Godly wisdom – Study #5’: Are you using Godly wisdom?

Skip to the end.

Godly Wisdom wrap-up

Wisdom says…

Proverbs 8:32-36

Pay attention, my children! Follow my advice, and you will be happy. (CEV)

33 Hear my teaching and be wise. Do not turn away from it. (NLV)

34 The one who listens to me, who carefully seeks me in everyday things and delays action until my way is apparent, that one will find true happiness. (The Voice)

35 For whoever finds me (Wisdom) finds life and obtains favor and grace from the Lord. (AMP)

36 Whoever sins against me harms himself. All those who hate me love death. (NOG)

Remember to hear, respect, get, and use the wisdom from God. Also, avoid human wisdom if it is not based on God’s wisdom.

Solomon’s wise request

2 Chronicles 1:7-11

That night, the True God appeared to Solomon.

God (following the offerings of Solomon): Ask what you want from Me, and I shall give it to you.

Solomon: 8-9 The loyal love You showed my father, David, was immeasurable, and You, O Eternal God, have fulfilled Your promise to my father and made me the king of innumerable people in his place. 10 Now that I am their ruler, give me wisdom and knowledge to lead this great people. Without such wisdom, who can govern such a great people?

God: 11 You did not ask for selfish personal gain: riches, wealth, honor, the deaths of your enemies, or a long life. Instead, you asked for godly wisdom and knowledge to rule My people, over whom I have made you king. (The Voice)

Godly wisdom is available to all of God’s children if you do not have it ask God for it. Believe that He will give it to you; once you receive it, use it in your daily life…be blessed—♥ Tim.

♥ Final question: Do you have (possess) and use knowledge and sound judgment?

Related studies/lessons/snacks for further Spiritual growth:

Better Life Through Christ Becomes Eternal Life With Christ – an estimated 5-minute read.

By Faith Watch Your Faith Work in Jesus Name – an estimated 4-minute read.

Personal Responsibility Alert; Warning, You Are in God’s Spotlight! – an estimated 18-minute read.

Respect God; It is Absolutely Good Advice For Life – an estimated 13-minute read.

References:

*Hebrew lexicon || **Greek lexicon || ^A Proverbs 9:12 || ^B James 1:22-25

See what is available on the Sound Truth Ministry website.

Outline for Godly Wisdom

Note: parenthesis (#) enclose the key verses.

Intro:

• 2 Timothy 3:10-17 (15-17); Proverbs 9:12 and 1:5.

HEAR

• Hear and obey God’s word: Matthew 7:24-27 (24 and 26); James 1:21-27 (22-25).
• Be doers and not only hearers: James 1:21-27 (22 and 24); Proverbs 16:8.
• Supporting Scriptures: Matthew 7:21-29 (24 and 26); Romans 2:1-16 (13-16); Proverbs 14:5-8 (8); Ezekiel 13:10-14; Matthew 25:1-13; Luke 6:46-49; Romans 12:9-21 (16) and 16:17-20 (19); Ephesians 5:15-21; 1 Corinthians 4:1-21.

RESPECT

• Respect {fear} God: Psalms 111:10 and 19:7-11 (9).
• The beginning of wisdom: Proverbs 9:7-12 (10-12).
• Fear {respect} and obey: Ecclesiastes 12:9-14 (13).
• Supporting Scriptures: Job 28:20-28 (20 and 28); Psalms 51:5-6 (6); 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 (30); Hebrews 3:12-19, 4:11-13 and 6:1-12.

AVOID

• Avoid using worldly wisdom: 1 Corinthians 1:18-25; Isaiah 29:14.
• Worldly vs. Godly wisdom: Psalms 94:11; Ecclesiastes 1:2; 1 Corinthians 3:18-23 (19); Job 5:8-16 (13); Colossians 2:1-10 (8-10).
• Supporting Scriptures: Isaiah 19:1-17 (11-14) and 29:9-16 (14-16); Romans 1:18-32 (21-22) and Romans 10:1-13; 1 Corinthians 2:6-16 (6-8).

GET

• Get Godly wisdom/knowledge and sound judgment: Proverbs 4:7, 19:8, 23:23; Romans 12:9-21.
• The wisdom of Solomon: Proverbs 10:19-21 (19), 14:29, 15:31-33, and 30.
• Ask God: James 1:2-8 (5); Matthew 7:7-12 [(7); compare Luke 11:9-13 (9)].

USE

• Wisdom from God: Acts 7:9-16 (9-10); 1 Kings 3:1-15 (12); 2 Chronicles 1:1-12 (12); Acts 6:8-15 (10); Proverbs 2:1-9 (6).
• Promised to the disciples of Christ: Luke 21:7-19 [(14-19); reference: Matthew 24:3-14 (13); Mark 13:3-13 (11); Ephesians 1:15-23 (17)).
• Be wise: Colossians 4:5-9 (5-6); James 3:13-18 (16-17); Romans 12:9-21.

Wrap-up

• Proverbs 8:32-36 (12-14); 1 John 4:12-19 (12); 1 Thessalonians 1:2-10 (4).

Copyright information:

A-G

(AMP) Scripture quotations taken from the Amplified® Bible, Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation Used by permission. (www.Lockman.org) || Common English Bible (CEB) Copyright © 2011 by Common English Bible Scripture quoted by permission. || Scripture quotations marked (CEV) are from the Contemporary English Version Copyright © 1991, 1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission. || (ERV) Taken from the HOLY BIBLE: EASY-TO-READ VERSION © 2001 by World Bible Translation Center, Inc. and used by permission. || (EXB) The Expanded Bible Scripture taken from The Expanded Bible. Copyright ©2011 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved. || (GNT) and (TEV) Scripture quotations marked (GNT) are from the Good News Translation in Today’s English Version- Second Edition Copyright © 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.

I-T

(ICB) Scripture taken from the International Children’s Bible®. Copyright © 1986, 1988, 1999 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved. || (ISV) Scripture taken from the Holy Bible: International Standard Version®. Copyright © 1996-forever by The ISV Foundation. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY. Used by permission. || (NCV) Scripture taken from the New Century Version®. Copyright © 2005 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved. || Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. || (NOG) The Names of God Bible (without notes) © 2011 by Baker Publishing Group. || (The Voice) The Voice Scripture taken from The Voice™. Copyright © 2008 by Ecclesia Bible Society. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Resources

Barnes || Malcolm Forbes