The term "unwise" in the biblical context often refers to actions, decisions, or behaviors that lack wisdom, discernment, or understanding. The Bible frequently contrasts wisdom with folly, urging believers to seek wisdom as a divine gift and to avoid the pitfalls of unwise living.

Biblical References:

1. Ephesians 5:15-17 · "Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is." This passage emphasizes the importance of living wisely, making the most of every opportunity, and understanding God's will. The unwise are those who fail to recognize the urgency of living according to God's purposes.

2. Proverbs 1:7 · "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline." Here, the unwise are equated with fools who reject the foundational principle of fearing the Lord, which is essential for acquiring true knowledge and wisdom.

3. Proverbs 14:16 · "A wise man fears and turns from evil, but a fool is careless and reckless." This proverb highlights the behavior of the unwise as being careless and reckless, in contrast to the wise who are cautious and avoid evil.

4. Matthew 7:26 · "But everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them is like a foolish man who built his house on sand." Jesus uses this parable to illustrate the folly of ignoring His teachings. The unwise are those who hear the Word but fail to apply it, resulting in instability and ruin.

5. Romans 1:21-22 · "For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools." This passage describes the unwise as those who, despite knowing God, fail to honor Him, leading to futile thinking and spiritual darkness.

Characteristics of the Unwise:

· Lack of Discernment: The unwise often fail to distinguish between right and wrong, good and evil, or beneficial and harmful. This lack of discernment can lead to poor decision-making and negative consequences.

· Rejection of Godly Wisdom: The unwise reject the wisdom that comes from God, choosing instead to rely on their own understanding or the wisdom of the world, which is often contrary to biblical principles.

· Neglect of Spiritual Growth: Unwise individuals may neglect their spiritual growth, failing to study Scripture, pray, or seek fellowship with other believers. This neglect can lead to spiritual stagnation and vulnerability to temptation.

· Impulsiveness and Recklessness: The unwise may act impulsively without considering the long-term effects of their actions. This recklessness can result in harm to themselves and others.

Exhortation to Seek Wisdom:

The Bible consistently encourages believers to seek wisdom, which is portrayed as a precious and desirable attribute. James 1:5 states, "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him." This promise assures believers that God is willing to provide wisdom to those who earnestly seek it.

In summary, the concept of being unwise in the Bible is closely associated with folly, a lack of discernment, and a rejection of divine wisdom. Believers are called to pursue wisdom diligently, aligning their lives with God's will and avoiding the destructive paths of the unwise.(a.) Not wise; defective in wisdom; injudicious; indiscreet; foolish; as, an unwise man; unwise kings; unwise measures.781. asophos -- unwise
... unwise. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: asophos Phonetic Spelling:
(as'-of-os) Short Definition: unskilled, unwise, foolish Definition: unskilled ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/781.htm - 6k

878. aphron -- without reason, foolish
... prefix) and phren Definition without reason, foolish NASB Word Usage fool
(2), foolish (8), foolish ones (1). foolish, unwise. From ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/878.htm - 7k

801. asunetos -- without understanding
... Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: asunetos Phonetic Spelling:
(as-oon'-ay-tos) Short Definition: unintelligent, unwise, undiscerning Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/801.htm - 7k

453. anoetos -- not understanding
... foolish, unwise. From a (as a negative particle) and a derivative of noieo;
unintelligent; by implication, sensual -- fool(-ish), unwise. see GREEK a. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/453.htm - 7k

3808. lo -- not
... 1), unpunished* (1), unreliable* (1), unsearchable* (1), unsown* (1), unsparing*
(1), untrained* (1), unvented* (1), unwilling* (3), unwise* (1), useless* (1 ...
/hebrew/3808.htm - 7k

2450. chakam -- wise
... with those (1), skilled* (1), skillful (1), skillful man* (1), skillful men (1),
skillful men* (1), skillful persons* (1), skillful* (3), unwise* (1), wailing ...
/hebrew/2450.htm - 6k

Unwise Interference.
... CHAPTER III. THE TRIALS CONNECTED WITH THE STATE OF ABANDONMENT: SECTION
I."Unwise Interference. The first trial: the obloquy ...
/.../de caussade/abandonment to divine providence/section i unwise interference.htm

Psalm LIII.
... 2. "The unwise man hath said in his heart, There is no God" (ver.1). Such sort is
it of men amid whom is pained and groaneth the Body of Christ. ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm liii.htm

But Now, Since My Pleading Has Steered Its Course Out of These ...
... And why is he so unwise as to shew, by the irritation of his answer to my attack,
his consciousness that it is he alone whom the cap fits? 30. ...
/.../30 but now since my.htm

It is Related Also that vinegar was Given Him to Drink, or Wine ...
... their grape is a grape of gall, and their cluster a cluster of bitterness." And
again, the Prophet upbraiding them says, "Oh foolish people and unwise, have ye ...
/.../26 it is related also.htm

If You Wish Me to Keep Silence, Cease from Accusing Me. Lay Down ...
... [3226] A long-suffering man is strong in his wisdom; the man of little mind is very
unwise. [3227] He who oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker. ...
/.../43 if you wish me.htm

Twentieth Sunday after Trinity the Careful Walk of the Christian.
... 15 Look therefore carefully how ye walk [See then that ye walk circumspectly], not
as unwise, but as wise; 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil.17 ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/twentieth sunday after trinity the.htm

Sensual and Spiritual Excitement.
... Preached August 4, 1850. SENSUAL AND SPIRITUAL EXCITEMENT. "Wherefore be ye
not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. ...
/.../robertson/sermons preached at brighton/ix sensual and spiritual excitement.htm

Appendix.
... In the sight of the unwise they seemed to die, and their departure is taken for
misery, and their going from us to be utter destruction, but they are in peace. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/the general menaion/appendix.htm

A Group of Miracles
... His disciples might still be as unwise as those modern theologians who are so busy
studying the miracles as a sign that they forget to think of them as works ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 1 29-34 a group of.htm

"For if Ye Live after the Flesh, Ye Shall Die; but if Ye through ...
... they cannot be rid of that deadly burden without throes and pains, and to half this
work, or to be remiss or negligent in it, is as foolish and unwise as for a ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xxxv for if ye.htm

Unwise (16 Occurrences)
... (a.) Not wise; defective in wisdom; injudicious; indiscreet; foolish; as, an unwise
man; unwise kings; unwise measures. ...Unwise (16 Occurrences). ...
/u/unwise.htm - 10k

Senseless (22 Occurrences)
... (a.) Destitute of, deficient in, or contrary to, sense; without sensibility or
feeling; unconscious; stupid; foolish; unwise; unreasonable. ...
/s/senseless.htm - 12k

Behaviour (115 Occurrences)
... (BBE). Proverbs 14:8 The wisdom of the man of good sense makes his way clear;
but the unwise behaviour of the foolish is deceit. (BBE). ...
/b/behaviour.htm - 35k

Foolish (259 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Marked with, or exhibiting, folly; void of
understanding; weak in intellect; without judgment or discretion; silly; unwise. ...
/f/foolish.htm - 36k

Yields (21 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). Proverbs 14:24 Their wisdom is a crown to the wise, but their foolish
behaviour is round the head of the unwise. (See NIV). ...
/y/yields.htm - 12k

Unwithdrawn (1 Occurrence)

/u/unwithdrawn.htm - 6k

Unwillingly (1 Occurrence)

/u/unwillingly.htm - 6k

Lip (20 Occurrences)
... "To refrain the lips" (Psalm 40:9 Proverbs 10:19) means to keep silence,
where the godless or unwise would wish to assert his rights. ...
/l/lip.htm - 18k

Garland (6 Occurrences)
... NIV). Proverbs 14:24 Their wisdom is a crown to the wise, but their foolish
behaviour is round the head of the unwise. (See RSV). ...
/g/garland.htm - 9k

Weak (102 Occurrences)
... or magistrate. 12. (vi) Resulting from, or indicating, lack of judgment,
discernment, or firmness; unwise; hence, foolish. 13. (vi ...
/w/weak.htm - 38k

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