I love how Pastor John Piper talks about godly wisdom: “The wisdom of God devised a way for the love of God to deliver sinners from the wrath of God while not compromising the righteousness of God.”1
The website GotQuestions.org gives us a good summary of the differences between godly and worldly wisdom: “Godly wisdom is, of course, from God and honors God. Godly wisdom starts with the fear of God and results in a holy life. Worldly wisdom, on the other hand, is not concerned with honoring God but with pleasing oneself. With worldly wisdom, we may become educated, street-smart, and have “common sense” that enables us to play the world’s game successfully. Godly wisdom enables us to prepare ourselves for eternity. With godly wisdom, we trade earthly values for biblical values (1 John 2:15–16). We recognize we are citizens of another kingdom, and we make choices that reflect that allegiance (Philippians 1:27; 3:20). Having godly wisdom means we strive to see life from God’s perspective and act accordingly.”2
Scripture is full of examples of what godly wisdom is all about. Just consider the following biblical verses:
(Proverbs 16:16): “How much better to get wisdom than gold, to get insight rather than silver!”
(Psalm 119:98–100): “Your commands are always with me and make me wiser than my enemies. I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes. I have more understanding than the elders, for I obey your precepts.”
(Psalm 119:130): “The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.”
(Colossians 3:16): “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”
(Proverbs 2:3–6): “Indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.”
(1 Corinthians 3:19-20): “For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, ‘He catches the wise in their own craftiness;’ and again, ‘The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.’”
(James 1:5): “But 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.”
Again, the website GotQuestions.org adds the following: “Godly wisdom often requires us to do that which is opposite our natural inclinations. Godly wisdom goes against the “conventional wisdom” of the day; it is not focused on self-preservation but on furthering the kingdom of God. We can only live in godly wisdom when we are committed to crucifying our flesh and living in the Spirit (see Galatians 2:20; Ephesians 5:16, 25).”3
Godly wisdom chiefly comes from studying the Bible and obeying its precepts. And when we do this God will fill us with everything we need to lead a rich, rewarding, and most of all a God honoring life.
May the following few quotes help all of us to see the beauty and value of godly wisdom.4
“Wisdom is the right use of knowledge. To know is not to be wise. Many men know a great deal, and are all the greater fools for it. There is no fool so great a fool as a knowing fool. But to know how to use knowledge is to have wisdom.” – Charles Spurgeon
“The chief means for attaining wisdom, and suitable gifts for the ministry, are the Holy Scriptures, and prayer.” – John Newton
“There is nothing more foolish than an act of wickedness; there is no wisdom equal to that of obeying God.” – Albert Barnes
“Wisdom in scripture is, broadly speaking, the knowledge of God’s world and the knack of fitting oneself into it.” – Cornelius Plantinga
“The fool wanders, a wise man travels.” – Thomas Fuller
“Wisdom is the power to see and the inclination to choose the best and highest goal, together with the surest means of attaining it.” – J. I. Packer
1 Quote by John Piper: “The wisdom of God devised a way for the love of…”
2 What is godly wisdom? | GotQuestions.org
3 What is godly wisdom? | GotQuestions.org
4 All of these quotes are from the following website:
Very good reading!!