Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. Proverbs 4:7“The next best thing to being wise oneself is to live in a circle of those who are.”
― C.S. Lewis
Has anyone ever told you to wise up? They say learn from your experiences or open your eyes to the real world. This is cynicism, not wisdom. Others say that you need to get all the information and learning that you can. This is knowledge, not wisdom. So, what is wisdom?
Wisdom is applying knowledge and experience to your current circumstances in a way that glorifies God. It is not something we can learn. It is a gift of God. Only God can see the past, present, and future and be able to direct us down the best path. So, to get wise you have to start with God.
For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.
Proverbs 2:6
Ask God
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
James 1:6
If you want wisdom, all you have to do is ask God. As a matter of fact, God is just waiting for you to come to Him. He loves us and wants the best for us, but He won’t force us to accept His gifts. We have to let go of the world’s idea of wisdom and trust that God knows better even when it doesn’t make sense to the world.
Ask Seasoned Christians
For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellors there is safety.
Proverbs 24:6
God puts all kinds of people in our lives to help us discern the best choice or the next move. Sometimes He sends us wise older Christians, mentors who have been faithful followers of Christ for a long time. We can learn from what God has done in their lives.
Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.
Proverbs 27:17
He also sends us brothers and sisters in Christ who walk beside us in life. People who know us the best and can see what is going on in our lives from a fresh perspective. A true Christian friend will tell us the truth even when it is hard. This way we help each other grow stronger.
But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
John 14:26
Most importantly, God sent the Holy Spirit as our Counselor and Comforter. He speaks to our spirits in a quiet voice, nudging us in the right way. When we have made the right choice, we can feel the peace of God within us. That is how we know we are moving in the right direction.
Be Wise
See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
Ephesians 5:15-16
Finally, wisdom does us no good if we don’t act on what we know to be the right choice or next move. James tells us that our faith is seen by others by the choices we make and the way we behave in the world. When we walk in wisdom, others can see Christ and God is glorified instead of us.