Former Blackout Artist

“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.” – James 1: 5-8

A student who struggles to understand a concept will sometimes ask a fellow student for help. While there’s nothing wrong with this approach, there is however an assumption that the fellow student competently understands the subject. But what if the fellow student is wrong? As Jesus once said, “If the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.” (Matt. 15:14) So if we seek wisdom and understanding, who better to ask than the true Source of wisdom Himself?!

As soon as Solomon became king of Israel, his first order of business was to seek wisdom. He knew that he couldn’t possibly lead Israel without God’s help, so he went straight to the Source and asked for it. And because Solomon was confident that God would respond favorably to his request, He gave wisdom to him generously. In fact, Solomon became the wisest man in all the world. (1 Kings, chapter 3)

Solomon knew there was a difference between worldly knowledge and Godly wisdom. He would later go on to write, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death” (Proverbs 14:12 ESV).

Why ask God for Wisdom?

• The wisdom God gives is practical.

Wisdom from God relates to life even during the most trying times. It is not a wisdom isolated from suffering and trials. This wisdom is the tool by which trials are overcome. An intelligent person may have profound ideas, but a wise person puts profound ideas into action. Intelligence will allow someone to describe several reasons why their car broke down, but the wise person chooses the most likely reason and takes action to repair the car.

• The wisdom God gives is divine.

God’s wisdom goes beyond common sense. His divine wisdom enables us to choose joy in the midst of our trials, while common sense tells us to think only about our circumstances. This wisdom begins with our respect for God, leads us to living by God’s standards and direction, and results in our ability to make the right decisions.

• The wisdom God gives can make us more Christlike.

Asking God for wisdom is ultimately asking to be like Christ. The Bible identifies Christ as the “wisdom of God” (1 Corinthians 1:24; 2:1-7). God’s wisdom, when sought and applied, aligns our thoughts, choices, and actions with Christlike attributes. It helps us embody qualities such as humility, love, compassion, and a sense of purpose in accordance to God’s will. By seeking God’s wisdom, we aim to understand and live out the principles that Jesus exemplified during his time on earth.

In essence, God’s wisdom transforms our character, guiding us to reflect the values and virtues of Christ. It shapes our perspectives, decisions, and interactions with others, fostering a life that mirrors the teachings and character of Jesus.

Seeking God’s wisdom isn’t a one-time thing… it is a transformative journey toward becoming more like Christ in our thoughts and deeds.

Questions Worth Considering

1 How can you incorporate the practice of seeking God’s wisdom into your daily decision-making? Consider specific areas of your life where you might need guidance, and think about how relying on God’s wisdom could impact your choices.

2 Identify a recent decision or challenge you faced. Looking back, how might seeking God’s wisdom have influenced your approach or your choices? How can you apply this insight to upcoming decisions and trust in God’s guidance?

3 James warns about wavering faith when seeking wisdom. Reflect on moments when doubt or uncertainty affected your trust in God’s guidance. What steps can you take to strengthen your faith and trust in God’s wisdom consistently, especially during challenging times?