Topical Bible: Gifts from God: Temporal: Wisdom

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Wisdom, as a temporal gift from God, is a profound and invaluable endowment that enables individuals to navigate the complexities of life with discernment and understanding. In the biblical context, wisdom is not merely an accumulation of knowledge or intelligence but is deeply rooted in the fear of the Lord and the application of divine principles to everyday situations.

Biblical Foundation

The Bible consistently emphasizes the importance of wisdom as a gift from God. In the Old Testament, wisdom is personified and extolled in the Book of Proverbs. Proverbs 2:6 states, "For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding." This verse underscores the divine origin of wisdom, highlighting that it is God who imparts this gift to those who seek it.

King Solomon is perhaps the most renowned biblical figure associated with wisdom. When God offered Solomon anything he desired, Solomon chose wisdom to govern the people of Israel effectively. In response, God granted him unparalleled wisdom, as recorded in 1 Kings 3:12 : "Behold, I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there has never been nor will ever be another like you."

Characteristics of Godly Wisdom

Godly wisdom is characterized by several key attributes. It is pure, peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere (James 3:17). These qualities distinguish divine wisdom from earthly wisdom, which is often self-centered and driven by envy and ambition.

The fear of the Lord is foundational to acquiring wisdom. Proverbs 9:10 declares, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." This reverential awe and respect for God are essential for anyone seeking true wisdom, as it aligns the heart and mind with God's will and purposes.

Practical Application

Wisdom as a temporal gift manifests in practical ways in the life of a believer. It guides decision-making, fosters healthy relationships, and promotes righteous living. The Book of James encourages believers to seek wisdom from God, promising that He gives generously to all without finding fault (James 1:5).

In the realm of leadership, wisdom is crucial. Leaders are called to shepherd their people with integrity and insight, as exemplified by Solomon. Proverbs 11:14 states, "For lack of guidance, a nation falls, but with many counselors comes deliverance." Wise leaders seek counsel and are open to instruction, ensuring that their decisions are grounded in godly wisdom.

Wisdom in the New Testament

In the New Testament, Jesus Christ is the embodiment of divine wisdom. Colossians 2:3 affirms, "In whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." Believers are encouraged to look to Christ as the ultimate source of wisdom, drawing from His teachings and example to live lives that honor God.

The Apostle Paul also highlights the role of the Holy Spirit in imparting wisdom to believers. In 1 Corinthians 2:12-13 , Paul writes, "We have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. And this is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words."

Conclusion

Wisdom, as a temporal gift from God, is a vital resource for believers seeking to live in accordance with God's will. It is a gift that requires active pursuit, prayer, and a heart aligned with the fear of the Lord. Through the Scriptures, the life of Christ, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, believers are equipped to receive and apply this precious gift in their daily lives.

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2 Chronicles 1:12
Wisdom and knowledge is granted to you; and I will give you riches, and wealth, and honor, such as none of the kings have had that have been before you, neither shall there any after you have the like.
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Library

Temporal Advantages.
... account of their spiritual peril, when they were no longer encompassed by temporal
trials ... It may be asked, "Are not these dangerous things the gifts of God? ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol vii/sermon v temporal advantages.htm

Whether Faith is a Single virtue
... gifts of God, according to Isa.11:2. Now wisdom and knowledge are different, in
that wisdom is of things eternal, whereas understanding is of things temporal. ...
/.../aquinas/nature and grace/article six whether faith is.htm

How Deceitful the Love of this World Is, and How Amiable God Is.
... abide with the temporal, when even one temporal thing neither can ... is there, which,
adorned with delightful gifts, was a heavenly paradise, where God was well ...
/.../suso/a little book of eternal wisdom/chapter vi how deceitful the.htm

Spiritual Gifts.
... the care of the spiritual and temporal affairs of ... two classes"those that strengthen
the gifts of saving ... is therefore the portion of all God's children, and ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xxxvii spiritual gifts.htm

Of the Difference Between the Hirelings and the Faithful Servants ...
... mark this: that some men receive the gifts of God ... all their good works, they seek
after temporal things, or ... unfaithful, they dare not trust in God; but their ...
/.../john/the adornment of the spritual marriage/chapter vi of the difference.htm

A Royal Seeker after Wisdom
... men eagerly put forth for some temporal good, would ... rebuke men's indifference to
Christ's gifts, their failure ... condemned by heathen seekers after God, or will ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/a royal seeker after wisdom.htm

Of Faith
... And what can any prosperity, or temporal good in this ... world so wicked and so sinful
but God can convert ... adorn him with singular graces and many gifts of virtue ...
/.../ugolino/the little flowers of st francis of assisi/chapter ii of faith.htm

First Sunday after Epiphany
... by their works seek to merit reward from God, whether temporal or eternal ... works,
on our own spiritual life and on the gifts wherewith God has endowed ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol ii/first sunday after epiphany.htm

The Fifty-Fourth Chapter: the Different Motions of Nature and ...
... Of temporal necessities she asks no more than will serve ... herself or hers exalted,
but desires that God Who bestows ... out of love should be blessed in His gifts. ...
/.../kempis/the imitation of christ/the fifty-fourth chapter the different.htm

In which Also Concerning Exemplars.
... as Being, from the prior of His other gifts; for pre ... must call to mind the Word of
God, which says ... above time and eternity, and all things eternal and temporal. ...
/.../dionysius/dionysis on divine names/caput v concerning beingin which.htm