“선한 일을 위하여 지으심을 받은 자니”(엡 2:10)

Steps To Wisdom (4)

For the Lord Gives Wisdom
Proverbs 2:6-8

“For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding. He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk in integrity. He guards the paths of justice and preserves the way of His saints.”

The fourth step toward wisdom is found in Proverbs 2: “The Lord gives wisdom.” So how does God grant us wisdom? According to Psalm 19:7-8, it is through His Word.

To gain wisdom, we must read the Word, yet we often fail to do so as much as we should. Even when we read, we sometimes lack wisdom. One reason is that reading the Bible once or twice does not automatically impart wisdom. The Bible must be kept close throughout our lives and read in its entirety to connect with wisdom. Additionally, even when we do read, we may misinterpret or fail to read properly. For instance, many mistakenly attribute famous quotes to figures like Spinoza or Socrates, not realizing these sayings existed before them. This highlights the possibility of errors in our understanding. We may not fully grasp facts or interpret them only as we wish, which prevents knowledge from transforming into wisdom. We need to open the Word more frequently; through this knowledge, wisdom will emerge.

In Acts 2:1-4, the event of speaking in tongues at Pentecost is identified as the fulfillment of the prophet Joel’s prophecy. How did they recognize it as such? They were familiar with the prophecies because they had read them extensively. Furthermore, just before this event, it is noted that they “devoted themselves to prayer” (Acts 1:12-14). Wisdom from God is found when the Word is coupled with prayer. Even those who study the Bible diligently cannot make wise choices without prayer. We must engage with the Word through prayer.

Additionally, Proverbs 19:20 and Proverbs 12:15 encourage us to seek counsel from wise people around us. Searching for guidance in critical moments can be likened to simply catching fish; pursuing wise individuals is akin to learning how to fish. Without prayer and the Word, people often seek out those who will merely agree with them. As seen in the time of the prophet Jeremiah, people tend to only listen to what they want to hear in desperate situations. This is foolishness. We should seek out those who may speak hard truths, even if their words are painful.

Proverbs 15:22 states, “Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers, they succeed.” For a faith community to be solidly built, the necessary leaders—whether members or pastors—are those who provide wise, prayerful, and well-considered responses and actions, not merely those with knowledge or spirituality. Through these individuals, chaos subsides, and the community is established.

According to Ephesians 1:15-17, the Holy Spirit not only gives gifts and power but is also the Spirit of wisdom. Wisdom is about making situational choices, knowing what is wise in each moment. Wisdom emerges from the Word, prayer, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. To grow in wisdom, we must rely on the Holy Spirit. With that, here is our takeaway:

1.Let us go to God who gives us wisdom.

Reflection Questions

Reflecting on significant choices and decisions in your life, share any words or actions you regret. Conversely, share instances where you believe you made wise choices guided by the Holy Spirit.

Application

Wisdom is essential in the church, society, and home. Identify which areas mentioned in the sermon—reading scripture, praying, seeking counsel, or relying on the Holy Spirit—you feel you need to focus on more, and make a commitment to improve in that area.