God give me wisdom!

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In a world awash with information, we as believers desperately need wisdom. But what is it exactly? That is a surprisingly difficult question to answer simply. Based on the Bible, we can define wisdom as the ability to discern good from evil and apply knowledge, skill, and experience in order to live in right relationship with God and others within the world that God made. Let’s briefly unpack the elements of this definition. 

Discern good from evil. Discernment refers to making distinctions. The most fundamental distinction is between good and evil, right and wrong. Yet oftentimes the hardest distinctions to make are between good, better, and best. Wisdom is the ability to make such distinctions, especially when the issue at hand is not one of obvious right from wrong. 

Apply knowledge, skill, and experience. Wisdom is based on knowledge but goes beyond it. Skill refers to abilities that one acquires over an extended period of time. Experience provides the necessary perspective, enabling one to interpret one’s present circumstances in light of insights gained from the past. Wisdom is the ability to weigh and combine these realities to determine the best course of action. By its very nature, wisdom is something that manifests itself in action. 

Live in right relationship with God and others. Wisdom is a relational concept. It is meant to infuse the way we relate to God. It means ordering our lives in a way that is consistent with God and his ways. Wisdom should also characterise the way we interact with those around us (Eph. 5:15). 

Within the world that God made. Because an all-wise God made the world, the way that it operates reflects his wisdom. Wisdom is necessary to live in a way that is consistent with both how God made the world and how it has been affected by sin and the curse.

Scripture is unambiguous when it comes to the starting point for pursuing wisdom:


The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight. (Prov. 9:10)


From a biblical perspective, the fear of the Lord is the starting point for gaining wisdom. To fear the Lord is to give him the honour and glory that he deserves as the all-knowing, all-wise Creator and to submit oneself to him in all areas of life. Fearing the Lord means recognising that God is the source of all wisdom. Missing the mark on this fundamental reality leads to a disordered life.

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