February 26, 2023
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” Colossians 3:16
“The fear of the Lord is true wisdom; to forsake evil is real understanding.” Job 28:28
“If any of you needs wisdom to know what you should do, you should ask God, and he will give it to you. God is generous to everyone and doesn’t find fault with them.” James 1:5
Have you ever heard a speech or sermon that left a huge impact on your life? I remember many years ago when my father preached the closing message at the Caprock District Association we attended every year. He topic was “The Wisdom of God”. I was a teenager and a young Christian, and the message left a profound impression.
Many confuse WISDOM with knowledge or intellect! It takes intellect to have written computer programs like my friend 
Wilma. It also took intellect for Beth A. Brown who was a NASA astrophysicist with a research focus on X-ray observations of elliptical galaxies and black holes. She earned a Ph.D. in Astronomy from the University of Michigan in 1998, becoming the first African American woman to do so. Marie Van Brittan Brown an American nurse and innovator. It took intellect for her to invent a video home security system along with her husband Albert Brown, an electronics technician in 1966. In the same year, she and her husband applied for a patent for their innovative security system, which was granted in 1969. It also to intellect for Shirley Ann Jackson, an African American to invent the technology responsible for the Touch-Tone Phone. She also conducted a number of successful theoretical physics experiments and made breakthrough scientific research that enabled others to invent the fax machine, the touch-tone phone, fiber optic cells, solar cells, and the technology behind caller ID and call waiting!
Wisdom is different from knowledge. Wisdom is the ability to apply knowledge to everyday life! Godly Wisdom is simply wisdom from God, and it comes from having a personal relationship with HIM by accepting His Son, Jesus, and being forgiven of your sins! It is a simple process as noted in Romans 10:9-10. ”If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved.” (NLT) Knowledge and intelligence cannot guarantee a fulfilling, balanced, and productive life.
My grandmother Mary Gentry, affectionately known as (Big Mama) was a godly and wise woman. My sister Margaret 
would often share something our grandmother had said. After she met my husband Robert, (before we got married) she said to me, “you need to marry Robert, he will make you a good husband” and she was absolutely correct.
Godly wisdom looks very different from worldly wisdom enabling us to prepare ourselves for eternity. It involves having a deep reverence for God and a willingness to align our thoughts, beliefs, and actions with His will. With godly wisdom, we trade earthly values for biblical values. As noted in 1 John 2:15-17, “Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father but are from this world. And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.” Having godly wisdom means we strive to see life from God’s perspective and act accordingly. Godly wisdom allows us to avoid the foolishness of the world’s wisdom.
By contrast worldly wisdom, often focuses on self-promotion, pride, and personal gain. Godly wisdom is characterized by humility, integrity, and a desire to serve others. It seeks to honor God and bring glory to His name, rather than seeking personal recognition or worldly success.
As Believers in Christ, we must recognize we are citizens of another kingdom, and we make choices that reflect that allegiance. Philippians 1:27 says, “Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ.” Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing side by side, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News.
Why Is It Advantageous To Have GODLY WISDOM?
♦ Wisdom helps you to know how to live. “Be careful how you live, not as fools but as those who are wise.” Ephesians 5:15-17
♦ The more responsibility you have, the more of God’s wisdom you need in order to do what is right. “Give me an understanding mind so that I can govern your people well and know the difference between right and wrong.” 1 Kings 3:9-10.
♦ Wisdom will help you to succeed in what you do. Since a dull ax requires great strength, sharpen the blade. That’s the value of wisdom; it helps you succeed.” Ecclesiastes 10:10.
♦ God holds all wisdom in his hands. “The fear of the Lord is true wisdom; to forsake evil is real understanding.” Job 28:28
♦ God gives wisdom to those who fear him and forsake evil. “Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in understanding.” Proverbs 9:10.
♦ Wisdom comes from having a relationship with God. ” You must obey these laws and regulations. If you obey them carefully, you will display your wisdom and intelligence to the surrounding nations. When they hear about these laws, they will exclaim, What other nation is as wise and prudent as this!” Deuteronomy 4:5-6.
♦ Obedience to God’s word-his commands, laws, and teachings will make us wise. ”You have received the Holy Spirit, and he lives within you, so you don’t need anyone to teach you what is true. For the Spirit teaches you all things, and what he teaches is true-it is not a lie. So continue in what he has taught you, and continue to live in Christ.” 1 John 2:27
♦ Wisdom comes from having a relationship with God. ” Let those who are wise listen to these proverbs and become even wiser. And let those who understand receive guidance by exploring the depth of meaning in these proverbs, parables, wise sayings, and riddles.” Proverbs 1:5-6.
♦ Obedience to God’s word-his commands, laws, and teachings will make us wise.“Teach me your ways, O Lord, that I may live according to your truth! Grant me purity of heart, that I may honor you.” Psalm 86:11.
Essentially, godly wisdom is a gift from God that enables us to live in accordance with His will and purpose for our lives. When we seek and apply this wisdom in our lives, we can experience greater peace, joy, and fulfillment as we seek to live for Him!
A WISE 
HEART: Proverbs 13:20 “Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.” (ESV). What is helpful in becoming wise is to associate with wise people, including companions and teachers. Conversely associating with fools brings problems. The book of Proverbs provides a contrast between the influence of good and bad associations. Read it daily.
FATHER GOD: Thank You for Your Word that teaches how to live and glorify you! Help us to always be careful in selecting those who journey with us through life so we can develop godly wisdom, in the Precious, Powerful, and Preeminent Name of Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord, Amen!