Wisdom is the ability to apply knowledge properly. In Proverbs 24:3-4 we are told, "By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; And by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches." It is true that sermons filled with knowledge will tend to draw people. The gift of a word of knowledge will also draw crowds. This is good, but our purpose in the Lord is not just to draw crowds, but also to see people built together into the house of the Lord. To do this we need wisdom. The gift of a word of wisdom may not be as spectacular as the gift of a word of knowledge, but it is every bit as essential for the work of God to be accomplished.

 

The following are just a few of the Scriptures that exhort us about the value and advantages of wisdom.

 

       For wisdom is better than jewels; and all desirable things can not compare with her (Proverbs 8:11).

 

       How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen above silver (Proverbs 16:16).

 

       Wisdom strengthens a wise man more than ten rulers who are in a city (Ecclesiastes 7:19).

 

       Wisdom is better than strength (Ecclesiastes 9:16).

 

       Wisdom is better than weapons of war (Ecclesiastes 9:18).

 

How do we get wisdom? We just need to ask as we are told in James 1:5, "But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him." It is wisdom to understand that we need wisdom. This is a fundamental humility, which is a prerequisite for wisdom, as we read in Proverbs 11:2, "When pride comes, then comes dishonor, but with the humble is wisdom."

 

A basic characteristic of humility is teachableness. A tragic pride has gripped our souls when others cannot teach us. The depth of our humility might be demonstrated by how open we are to be taught by those who might be considered inferior. Was this not the great test, and the reason why the Lord, who was Wisdom Himself, came as a humble carpenter? Is this not why He called the " uneducated and untrained"(see Acts 4:13) to be His apostles? It seems that He so structured His ministry and His church to filter out the proud and attract only the humble. We can see that this is basic to the Lord's nature in both James 4:6 and I Peter 5:5 which states that "God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble."

 

Knowledge fills our lives, but wisdom builds them. Therefore, in the building of our lives, families, churches, and ministries, the seeking of wisdom must be a priority. To do this we must seek humility. It is therefore wisdom to associate with the lowly, and learn to patiently listen to those whom we may be prone to think are inferior. The Lord Jesus Himself rejoiced, saying, "I praise Thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that Thou didst hide these things from the (worldly) wise and intelligent and didst reveal them to babes" (Matthew 11:25). He also said that we would have to become like little children to enter the kingdom. One of the basic characteristics of children is that they are teachable. Humility is the way that the kingdom will come to our lives.