Sunday February 9, 2020
Wise Guise
What is wisdom? Well, in its most basic form and definition it is “the act of reaching one’s end or goal by the use of right means.” It is not knowledge. Knowledge is simply basic information. Wisdom is the use of that knowledge in its purest and most beneficial way.
We are not just to know wisdom, we are to be wisdom. The word guise means, “customary behavior, a manner, a way.” In other words, we should act wisely in every area, in every situation, in every moment of our lives. We are to be wise guise (guys).
Wisdom can be ascribed to technical skill and ability as when God filled Bezalel to complete the work of the Tabernacle.
And Moses said to the children of Israel, “See, the Lord has called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah; and He has filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom and understanding, in knowledge and all manner of workmanship, to design artistic works, to work in gold and silver and bronze, in cutting jewels for setting, in carving wood, and to work in all manner of artistic workmanship. (Ex.35:30-33)
Wisdom can also be ascribed to cognitive and mental prowess (Is.10:13), or even basic natural instincts (Pro.30:24). However wisdom is manifested or displayed there is a singular truth that governs all wisdom…it is from God and God alone.
Daniel answered and said “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, for wisdom and might are His. (Dan.2:20)
How do we find wisdom? How can we receive wisdom from God Almighty? First and foremost we must make Jesus our Lord and Savior. Paul declares, “It is because of Him (God) that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.” (1 Cor.1:30). Outside of Jesus, there is no wisdom.
Second, we must ask for wisdom. If we lack wisdom we are to beseech the Father and simply ask Him for wisdom.
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. (Jas.1:5)
Thirdly, we need to seek the scriptures that are “able to make us wise.” (2 Tim.3:15) Then we wait and listen for the voice of the Lord and put in to practice that which we have heard (Matt.7:24). We are also to pray for each other to have Godly wisdom. (Col.1:9)
There are many amazing blessings associated with wisdom. It brings reward (Pro.9:12), blessing (Pro.3:13), and honor (Pro.3:35). It brightens a man’s face and makes him “shine like the brightness of the heavens.” (Ecc.8:1) (See WORD WISDOM for a deeper study of honor)
It is a power protector (Pro.4:5-6). Wisdom leads many to righteousness (Dan.12:3), and produces a fountain of life (Pro.13:14). It is very costly and is more precious that even gold, and is likened to lavish riches (Pro.4:7, 16:16, Rom.11:33)
Compare that with the world’s wisdom which is foolishness, fleshly, and something fools despise (1 Cor.3:19, 2 Cor.1:17, Pro.1:7). “Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes,” declares the Lord (Is.5:21)
We cannot ever substitute knowledge for wisdom. “Knowledge is the process of piling up facts…wisdom lies in their simplification. Knowledge is horizontal, wisdom is vertical. It comes down from above. Knowledge is seeing life through man’s perception, wisdom is seeing life from God’s.” (Author unknown)
In a time when knowledge is exponentially multiplying, we need God’s wisdom more than ever. God desires to give wisdom to those who ask. In fact, the wisest thing we can ever do is admit our need for His wisdom. In that, we become wise guys with wise guise.
