What is Wisdom
If you search the internet for “the wisest people in history” you will be given a number of different lists more or less centered around people’s IQ levels.
Thomas Edison (145), Stephen Hawking (160), Albert Einstein (165), John Quincy Adams (175), Leonardo Da Vinci (180), Isaac Newton (190), Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (200+)
IQ (Intelligence Quotient) is an assessment of human intelligence based on one’s ability to solve abstract-reasoning and arithmetic problems as well as knowledge of vocabulary and other general topics.
68% of us have an average IQ of 85-114.
0.13% have an IQ >145 (Highly Gifted, 145-159 to Profoundly Gifted >180).
From a secular perspective:
Intelligence is often assumed to be synonymous with wisdom. The problem with that theory is we can’t really do anything significant about our IQ. We can study, learn, memorize, but in the end our brain is wired a certain way and although we may be able to slightly move our IQ score, we will likely never be able to go from average intelligence to genius.
From a Biblical perspective:
Unlike your IQ, wisdom, according to God, can be gained…received…obtained.
Hear, O sons, a father's instruction, and be attentive, that you may gain insight, for I give you good precepts; do not forsake my teaching. When I was a son with my father, tender, the only one in the sight of my mother, he taught me and said to me, “Let your heart hold fast my words; keep my commandments, and live. Get wisdom; get insight; do not forget, and do not turn away from the words of my mouth. - Proverbs 4
While intelligence may enhance your ability to gain wisdom, the ability to gain wisdom is not solely driven by your intelligence. To reinforce the difference, let’s consider the wisest man to ever live, King Solomon.
God said that Solomon would be the wisest person to ever live, but Solomon didn’t start out that way. Look at 1 Kings 3:7-9 and then jump over to 1 Kings 4:29
King Solomon, having just taken over as King from his father David, was a young man who had no idea how to rule, so he asked God for help.
And now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of David my father, although I am but a little child. I do not know how to go out or come in. And your servant is in the midst of your people whom you have chosen, a great people, too many to be numbered or counted for multitude. Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?
And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding beyond measure, and breadth of mind like the sand on the seashore, so that Solomon's wisdom surpassed the wisdom of all the people of the east and all the wisdom of Egypt.
Not only did God give Solomon wisdom he gave him more wisdom than any person ever had or will ever have.
Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you. - 1 Kings 3:12
No one was or will ever be wiser than Solomon but he wasn’t born with wisdom, had to get wisdom.
Wisdom is the use of knowledge, understanding and discernment to determine a course of action.
Knowledge. Intellect from seeing, hearing or experiencing. Based on facts, reality, purely information based.
Understanding. A deeper level of knowledge and insight into the true nature of something or someone.
Discernment. The heart of wisdom, the ability to distinguish one thing from another and is usually based on a moral assessment and a feeling. The ability to see beyond the surface to the very heart of the matter.
How Do You Get Wisdom?
You ask God for wisdom
You study God’s Word
You listen and you hear what is said (yes, those are different)
You ask questions, lots of questions, to increase your understanding of the situation
You pray about it and be patient
You let the Holy Spirit guide your thoughts and words
You never forget the source of your wisdom
1 Kings 10:24, And the whole earth sought the presence of Solomon to hear his wisdom, which God had put into his mind.
What Should We Do With Wisdom?
Look at 1 Kings 3:7-9 again.
And now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of David my father, although I am but a little child. I do not know how to go out or come in. And your servant is in the midst of your people whom you have chosen, a great people, too many to be numbered or counted for multitude. Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?
Solomon asked for wisdom to govern or rule God’s people
For us it is similar, to encourage, teach, guide, God’s people but there is so much more.
Look at Proverbs 3:13-26:
Blessed Is the One Who Finds Wisdom
Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold. She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called blessed.
The Lord by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding he established the heavens; by his knowledge the deeps broke open, and the clouds drop down the dew.
My son, do not lose sight of these— keep sound wisdom and discretion, and they will be life for your soul and adornment for your neck. Then you will walk on your way securely, and your foot will not stumble. If you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. Do not be afraid of sudden terror or of the ruin of the wicked, when it comes, for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught.
Everything about your life will hinge on your desire to get wisdom from God.
Desire it, Long for it, and Seek it from God.
When you get wisdom, use it to teach and encourage God’s people.
