(remember, these are unedited/draft show notes, not a transcript — listening is always better…and if you listen AND follow along below, you’ll see why)
Focus Question:
What is wisdom, and how do you get it?
Intro:
Some days you just hop out of bed feeling goo-ood! At least I hope you do. Me, feeling better after a little bout with pinkeye, been taking some herbs that help even out my moods, and lost of a few pounds, and crossed my last hurdle for my master’s — so now it’s just a matter of waiting for the diploma in the mail and I can focus on my doctoral class which is a whole lotta reading about sex and gender. Talk about an exercise in taking every thought captive!
Yesterday in Proverbs we moved into a section referred to as “30 sayings of the wise,” so I thought that it’s a good time to ask, “What is wisdom, and how do you get it?”
New Testament segment:
We’ve been talking about Revelation a lot, and I never feel like I can do it justice, so let’s just read (and be encouraged!).
Passage: Revelation 14
Translation: CSB (Christian Standard Bible)
Verses: 20
Words: ~456
Old Testament segment:
Ezekiel is the most overtly and deliberately structured of the Major Prophets. The book as a whole is organized around the fulcrum of the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 b.c., with chapters 1–25 preceding its fall, and chapters 33–48 following.(1)
Today wraps up that middle section which are oracles against the nations that are even structured purposefully, so today’s the last regarding Egypt.
Passage: Ezekiel 32
Translation: CSB (Christian Standard Bible)
Verses: 32
Words: ~935
Wisdom segment:
Passage: Proverbs 23:19-24:12
Translation: CSB (Christian Standard Bible)
Verses: 28
Words: ~445
The bottom line:
So, how do you get wisdom? Because I do this every day and I have a day job, I can’t do all my primary research. So credit where credit’s due (and I’m anal about putting citations in the program notes), this is paraphrased from John Piper (link to the original on today’s page, program #1237).
He begins by defining the what then moves on to the how. It’s all based in Scripture, but I’m giving you the abbreviated version, so again, go follow the links.
What is wisdom?
The greatest human wisdom is the factual knowledge and the situational insight and the necessary resolve that together have the greatest likelihood of success in achieving the intended, righteous goal.
So, wisdom always combines (1) general knowledge of the facts about reality with (2) the more specific and the immediate discernment, or insight, or intuition into the less perceptible, but crucial, dynamics of the situation, with (3) the necessary resolve to act on that knowledge and that insight. We won’t act as wisely as we could, if we are ignorant of relevant reality, or if we are undiscerning of the immediate dynamics of the situation, or if we simply don’t have the resolve to act, because we are lazy or afraid.
Now, I said a few minutes ago that I would try to define wisdom first most generally, and then get more specific. So, here’s my more specific definition: The greatest human wisdom is the factual knowledge and the situational insight and the necessary resolve that together will succeed in attaining full and everlasting happiness.
And you notice, I don’t qualify it by saying it “has the greatest likelihood of success in attaining happiness.” Because God has ordained that no power in the universe can keep his redeemed people, acting in his Spirit-given wisdom, from attaining full and everlasting happiness in his presence. This wisdom cannot be thwarted.
So how do you get wisdom?
Don’t be neutral toward wisdom.
(Prize her. Esteem her. Desire her. Cherish her. Asking God for her. By pursuing her.)
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. (James 1:5)
Get wisdom by pursuing her (in the Word and World of God, walking with wise teachers, by living today in light of eternity, and all in relation to Jesus)
Now, finally, here is the path to wisdom that I want to underline with a special emphasis as we close.(2)
Now here’s a key issue in our world right here and now:
18 Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks he is wise in this age, let him become a fool so that he can become wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God, since it is written, 1 Co 3:18–19, CSB
And my closing question for you: Is God sufficient? Is the Bible sufficient? Or are you adding something to it?
Love you! Amen? Amen!
ForTheHope is a daily audio Bible + apologetics podcast and blog. We’ve got a passion for just keepin’ it real, having conversations like normal people, and living out the love of Jesus better every single day.
Roger Courville, CSP is a globally-recognized expert in digitally-extended communication and connection, an award-winning speaker, award-winning author, and a passionately bad guitarist. Follow him on Twitter -- @RogerCourville and @JoinForTheHope – or his blog: www.forthehope.org.
Sources and resources:
(1) Crossway Bibles, The ESV Study Bible (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008), 1499.
(2) John Piper, "How to Get Wisdom: Become a Fool," Desiring God (blog), April 20, 2018, accessed October 27, 2020, https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/how-to-get-wisdom.