“Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.”
JAMES 3:13-18, NEW KING JAMES VERSION
The Bible encourages us to get wisdom. This is godly or heavenly wisdom which is completely different from earthly or worldly wisdom. We are encourage to ask God for heavenly wisdom and are assured that He will be more than willing to give it to us.
What the Bible say about the wisdom which comes from God? Here are some verses:
- Happy is the man who finds wisdom (Proverbs 3:13)
- Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom (Proverbs 4:7)
- For wisdom is better than rubies, And all the things one may desire cannot be compared with her (Proverbs 8:11).
- “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10)
- The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom (Proverbs 15:33)
- How much better to get wisdom than gold! (Proverbs 16:16)
- He who gets wisdom loves his own soul (Proverbs 19:8)
- Through wisdom a house is built (Proverbs 24:3)
- Then I saw that wisdom excels folly
- As light excels darkness (Ecclesiastes 2:13)
- “Wisdom is better than strength (Ecclesiastes 9:16)
- Wisdom is better than weapons of war (Ecclesiastes 9:18)
- Wisdom and knowledge will be the stability of your times, And the strength of salvation (Isaiah 33:6)
- And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men (Luke 2:52)
- Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time (Colossians 4:5)
- If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him (James 1:5)
Earthly wisdom is when we do what we think is right while godly wisdom is when we do what is right in God’s sight. Earthly wisdom says to repay someone who did something bad to us but godly wisdom tells us not to repay evil with evil but to do all that we can to live in peace with everyone (Romans 12:17, NLT). Leave those who have hurt or wronged you to God. He will deal with them. Wisdom is letting go of anger, bitterness and the desire for revenge and giving it all to God.
Notes to Women 