Wisdom From Above

by G. Jarvie, Glasgow | Category: General | Sept 1971

"Wisdom is better than rubies" (Prov. 8:11).

Solomon, in the book of Proverbs, has much to say about wisdom. Earthly knowledge has increased tremendously in our day but wisdom seems to be decreasing. Knowledge is something that man acquires by study, but true wisdom is from above (James 3:17), and it is given to the lowly (Prov. 11:2).

Solomon tells in Prov. 3:13-15 that wisdom is more valuable than silver or gold or rubies. How valuable then it must be! "Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace" (verse 17), and yet how scarce wisdom is in this clever, restless, dissatisfied world. Disciples of the Lord Jesus are offered wisdom, freely and abundantly. "Wisdom is the principal thing, therefore get wisdom", said Solomon to his sons (4:7). Disciples of the Lord Jesus should seek for it in their lives and service.

In Prov. 9:10 we read, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning (commencement) of wisdom". No wonder then that godless men stray so far from wisdom, and fall for any delusion that comes their way, even with all their increased technology.

In Prov. 11:30 we read that, "He that is wise winneth souls". If the gospel preacher would win souls then he must be a wise man. Without spiritual wisdom a preacher may continue preaching, and yet win no one. Workers among the young must have wisdom, or they will labour without fruit and

be discouraged. There is power in the Word, but it must be presented wisely in the power of the Spirit. Only then will souls be saved, and God be glorified. How vital then is wisdom to every servant of Christ!

When the apostles were looking for men to care for the needs of the church in Jerusalem (Acts 6:2-3), they mentioned three requirements in the men who were to be chosen: (1) they must be men of good report, (2) they must be full of the Holy Spirit, and (3) they must be full of wisdom. Other qualifications were secondary to these three prime requirements. Need we say that these are the requirements in the servants of God today? No one of the three may be lacking if we are to serve God worthily.

But how comes wisdom? We know its value, but where do we get it? Praise God! it is as free to us as our salvation! Our spiritual gifts for service may be limited, but wisdom is freely available, for "If any of you lacketh wisdom, let him ask of God, who giveth to all liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him" (James 1:5). There is but one stipulation to the promise-we must ask in faith, nothing doubting. Who among us does not need the wonderful virtue of wisdom? Then let us ask it humbly, believing God and taking it by faith. And surely we can ask again and again, with every fresh need of it. There it is-waiting for us to come and take it by faith. How privileged we are, we who belong to Christ! While the clever men of this world stumble from folly to folly, God guides the meek in wisdom.

What is the character of this wisdom? "The wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without variance, without hypocrisy" (James 3:17). This wisdom is reserved for those who know Christ, for in Him "are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge hidden" (Col. 2:3).

Let us see to it that we do not fail to ask and to receive the wisdom that is from above. In this increasingly clever, restless and foolish age, it is imperative that the servants of Christ should be of good report, full of the Spirit and of wisdom.

G. Jarvie, Glasgow | Sept 1971
General