Often we come across well-educated people who seem to be completely lacking in common sense. On the far end of that spectrum are idiot savants, people who have one or more areas of absolute expertise, though that brilliance is in stark contrast to their overall lack of intelligence. An example would be a quantum physicist standing outside barefooted in a blizzard with his mind on solving a challenging equation. The simplicities of daily life are rigors to those people. Certainly there is a difference between intelligence and wisdom. While intelligence can be gained by reading books and studying, wisdom only can be gained by life experiences. Obviously, those life experiences take much longer to acquire and to amass.
When God offered any gift requested to King Solomon, the son of David asked the Lord for wisdom (1 Kings 3). Ironically, the king demonstrated that he already had a large quantity of wisdom, as he understood its significance in relation to a king and his kingdom. A man with less wisdom would have asked for wealth, longevity or safety.
29 And God gave Solomon wisdom and exceedingly great understanding, and largeness of heart like the sand on the seashore. 30 Thus Solomon’s wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the men of the East and all the wisdom of Egypt. 31 For he was wiser than all men— than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, Chalcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol; and his fame was in all the surrounding nations. 32 He spoke three thousand proverbs, and his songs were one thousand and five. 33 Also he spoke of trees, from the cedar tree of Lebanon even to the hyssop that springs out of the wall; he spoke also of animals, of birds, of creeping things, and of fish. 34 And men of all nations, from all the kings of the earth who had heard of his wisdom, came to hear the wisdom of Solomon.
1 Kings 4:29-34
Though Solomon was the wisest man of all, he also had blind spots in his wisdom. With 700 wives and 300 concubines, King Solomon fell away from the Lord and into idolatry, as he began to follow the gods of his foreign women. It is difficult to imagine that King Solomon was able to keep 1,000 women happy in any facet, and by numbers alone, it is apparent that this decision by an otherwise wise king was very selfish. Those decisions to marry could be called, “King Solomon’s Mines,” as he seemed to keep saying, “Mine, mine and mine” when selecting additional brides! How can we as Christians gain wisdom?
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. 16 For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. 17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. 18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
James 3:13-18
Interestingly, the phrase “meekness of wisdom” in James 3:13 above seems to point to the most important attribute of wisdom. When combined with humbleness or meekness, wisdom is much more palatable. This is the contrast of the “pride of wisdom,” as we all understand that when combined with arrogance, advice from a wise man would potentially be ignored. Wisdom is not self-serving, but for the benefit of others. Without loving others, how can we demonstrate God’s love for us? As Christians, God allows us to endure intense stretching. Just as an athlete stretches his muscles before using them in competition, God prepares us for future usage by stretching us. We learn from those difficult life experiences. If we are focused on the Lord, through that stretching comes great wisdom. Additionally, God can help us to use that wisdom when ministering to others enduring similar circumstances.
When enduring those stretches by the Lord, the greatest challenge is to learn through the challenge, to increase wisdom and understanding, rather than just complain. God never makes mistakes and consequently, there is a reason for each aspect of our lives. Never lose sight of His guiding hand in the midst of each circumstance, as what we often think of as punishment could easily be construed as blessing in His eyes!
That He would show you the secrets of wisdom!
For they would double your prudence.
Know therefore that God exacts from you
Less than your iniquity deserves.
Job 11:6
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