In human "condition" parlance there is a notion that, as human beings experiencing life we exist and are exposed to environmental stimuli, data, information and circumstances that we process with our mind and convert into knowledge. We then take this knowledge and through circumstance and experience develop an understanding and from that we develop a sort of wisdom - over time. I would call this a worldly wisdom and it is a self-relative wisdom. It is wisdom anchored in our unique personal experience interpreted in terms of whatever values we develop over time. As such it is self-centered wisdom.
In the worldly wisdom model our experience is: Stimulus >to> Information >to> Knowledge >to> Understanding … leading to a worldly wisdom - our wisdom. In the end, with this approach, it is our understanding that leads to our wisdom. Wisdom from others (parents or mentors) may be imparted and become ours if we submit to it. But who has not had to learn from experience despite the warnings of those who have gone before them? There is a significant element of pride in wisdom derived from our experience. Worldly wisdom can take a lifetime to develop.
James 1:5 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
3:17 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.
Proverbs 2:2 So that you incline your ear to wisdom, and apply your heart to
understanding;
Proverbs 3:13 Happy is
the man who finds wisdom, and
the man who gains
understanding;
Proverbs 4:5-7 Get wisdom! Get understanding!
Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of My mouth. Do not forsake her, and she will preserve
you; Love her, and she will keep you. Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in all your
getting, get understanding.
Proverbs 24:3 Through wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is
established;
In the Godly Wisdom system the order is first wisdom, then
understanding and knowledge. Wisdom is God’s Word that, through love expressed
by faith, trust and obedience, becomes understanding. When we submit to His Word
we receive wisdom directly from the top and it trickles down into understanding
and knowledge of the truth.
And so with God’s Wisdom first, we convert it into understanding the world around us by trusting in it and so we are established. Seek first His Word and what occurs around and to you will be sorted out in truth. God is the Word, God is Wisdom. Wisdom is the first of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Wisdom is the watershed of the Christian life. God’s order of Wisdom to understanding to knowledge is the opposite of the order of worldly wisdom. This paradox, in my view, validates its eternal authenticity.
Wisdom has been defined as ‘the ability to discern or judge
what is true, right, or lasting.’ Godly wisdom is that and so much more because
it is everlasting and bringing peace that surpasses understanding.
Paul exhorts
the Philippians in Chapter Four (verses 6 thru 8) of his letter to them to, “Be
anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with
thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God,
which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through
Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are
noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are
lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there
is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.” God’s Word, His
Wisdom, His Peace is a collection of such things.
Beware that there is a very real tug-of-war in the pursuit
of this thing called wisdom. It is a war between worldly and Godly wisdom and
the Bible has this to say about that in 1 Corinthians 1:19, For it is written: “I will
destroy the wisdom of the wise, and bring to nothing the understanding of the
prudent.”
Blessings,
Bill
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