The Bible Doctrine of Wisdom

1. Why do we need wisdom?

2. One reason is so that we won’t be foolish.

1) Reading through the book of Proverbs, the fool is repeatedly condemned.

2) Proverbs 9:6 ” Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.”

3) Proverbs 26:3 states, ” A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool’s back.”

3. Beyond that, we need wisdom to get along in the world.

1) Colossians 4:5 “Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.”

2) Matthew 10:16 “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.”

3) Psalm 90:12 “So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.”

4) Proverbs 8:12-21 READ

4. Wisdom should be desired above all earthly things.

1) Proverbs 8:11 “For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.”

2) Proverbs 16:16 “How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!”

3) Proverbs 4:7 “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.”

1. God is the source of all wisdom. Job 38:36 “Who hath put wisdom in the inward parts? or who hath given understanding to the heart?” These are rhetorical questions that only have one answer — God.

2. Miraculous Wisdom

1) Solomon was given wisdom miraculously. 1 Kings 4:29 “And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the sea shore.”

2) Paul talks about miraculous wisdom in 1 Corinthians 12:8. “For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit”

3. Wisdom through prayer.

1) James discusses asking God for wisdom in James 1:5 “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”

2) Passage doesn’t say HOW God gives wisdom, it just states the fact of it.

4. Wisdom through the word.

1) Perhaps the greatest source of wisdom we have today is God’s word.

2) Proverbs 1:1,2 “The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel; To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding;”

3) 2 Timothy 3:15 “And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”

4) 2 Peter 3:15,16 “And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.”

5) 1 Corinthians 2:6,7 “Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:”

1. We ought to be wise in things that are good. Romans 16:19 “For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.”

2. Full of good works. James 3:13 “Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.”

3. James 3:17 “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.”

4. Proverbs 8:32-36 read.