Wisdom: How Do We Obtain It?

One of the things that made Solomon so well known was his wisdom. It is written in the Bible that before and after Solomon, there would be no one as wise as he was. Even the queen of Sheba came to visit to prove and experience Solomon's wisdom for herself (1 Kings 10:1-13).

Wisdom enabled Salomo to have an extraordinary perspective on life. This can be seen in the book he wrote, Ecclesiastes. Therefore, Salomo was able to distinguish between right and wrong, and it helped him make fair and wise decisions.

Because wisdom is so important, many people desire it. So, how do we obtain it?

 

1. Wisdom Is Given to Those Who Ask

“So give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people and to discern between good and evil, for who is able to judge this great people of Yours?"

“So behold, I have done according to your request; behold, I have given you a heart full of wisdom and understanding, so that there has been no one like you before you, nor shall any arise like you after you.”

– 1 Kings 3:9,12

Wisdom will be given to those who ask. Because Salomo asked, God also gave him extraordinary wisdom.

The question is, have we asked God? He, the all-knowing God, knows what we need even without our saying it. Yet He also wants us to ask and pray for what we hope for. If we want wisdom, let us not forget to pray and ask for it from God.

2. Wisdom Comes from God and from fearing God

“And God gave Solomon wisdom and very great understanding, and breadth of mind like the sand on the seashore....” – 1 Kings 4:29-30

For it is Godwho gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding. – Proverbs 2:6

Wisdom comes from God. However, that does not mean that after praying and asking for it, we no longer need to do anything. So, besides asking, what else must we do to receive it?

The fear of God is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. – Proverbs 1:7

The beginning of wisdom is the fear of God, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. – Proverbs 9:10

It is not enough for us only to ask, but we must also live in the fear of God. Wisdom and the fear of God are one inseparable package. When Solomon began to toy with sin (having 700 wives and 300 concubines who did not fear God and worshiped other gods), God also departed from Solomon and no longer established his kingdom.

For those of us who are asking for wisdom, examine your heart: do we have the fear of God? Have we truly come to know who Godis? If not, are we willing to make a commitment to truly know Him?

3. By Paying Attention to Our Way of Life

Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the king's food and with the wine the king drank, so he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself. – Daniel 1:8

“Please test your servants for ten days and let us be given vegetables to eat and water to drink …” – Daniel 1:12

After ten days had passed, they appeared healthier and better nourished than all the young men who ate the king's food. – Daniel 1:15

In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king questioned them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom. – Daniel 1:20

When they were recruited to work in the palace of the king of Babylon, four young men of Israel (Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah) resolved not to defile themselves with the royal food and wine. The four of them even dared to conduct a test to prove that they would be just fine by consuming the food and drink they had chosen (vegetables and water).

After the test period was over, their appearance was actually better and healthier than the young men who ate the king's food. They were also far more intelligent than all the wise men in that kingdom.

Life depends not only on God, but also on ourselves. That is why we also need to pay attention to our way of life. Daniel and his three friends had extraordinary understanding not merely because God was with them, but also because they guarded their lifestyle. They regulated what was allowed to enter their bodies . The four of them knew that to remain wise, they had to consecrate themselves and maintain their health.

Today, as we come asking God for wisdom, have we also paid attention to our lifestyle ? Our habits? The food we consume? How we treat our bodies? What we see, hear, and say? Whom we spend time with?

1 Corinthians 15:33 records, “Bad company corrupts good character.” God's wisdom will not work to its fullest if we do not control what enters our bodies and minds.

Friend, wisdom does not come on its own, but is given to those who ask God. Wisdom comes when we make the decision to truly fear God. Besides that, we also need to be realistic, because wisdom also depends on ourselves. Our habits and way of life will affect how that wisdom works.

May the wisdom be with you. May we become people who are wiser. Amen.

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Related Articles:

• Examples of Kings Who Feared God
• Be Careful with Our Hearts. Let's Learn from Solomon!
• Three Methods to Dig Deeper into God's Word
• Daniel in the Lions' Den: Facing Faith Challenges in the Workplace
• Change Your Way of Thinking: Beneficial or Harmful?

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