Wisdom from God

Proverbs 19:20 says, "Hear counsel and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in the latter end."

Who would say he did not want to be wise? What is wisdom and how is it attained? James 3:13-18 gives a clear account of true wisdom, i.e., wisdom from God, and distinguishes godly wisdom from earthly wisdom, or wisdom of man. According to James 3: 17-18, "... the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace."

Notice the tone of this passage: peace, mercy, gentleness, purity, righteousness. True wisdom is not self-seeking or grasping. In dealing with others, God's wisdom has no ulterior motives, lies, deceptions or manipulations.

How can one attain God's wisdom? Proverbs 19:20 says, "Hear counsel and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in the latter end." What counsel? What instruction? Proverbs 9:10 says, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." One cannot even begin to be wise in a godly sort of way until he fears the Lord. And one cannot fear the Lord until he comes to know Him. John 1:12 says, "...as many as received him (Jesus), to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name."

If the Lord has granted salvation to a person and the believer has a fear, or reverence, of God, then the instruction that will make him wise is found in Joshua 1:8, "...meditate (on God's Word) day and night."