{ "Wisdom": { "description": "Skill for living according to God's design and truth", "overview": "
Biblical wisdom differs fundamentally from worldly intelligence. While the world prizes clever strategy and self-advancement, Scripture defines wisdom as \"the fear of the LORD\" (Proverbs 9:10). This wisdom begins with right relationship to God and produces right living before men.
\n\nWisdom is personified in Proverbs, calling out in the streets: \"How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity?\" (Proverbs 1:22). This literary device emphasizes wisdom's availability and urgency. She offers life to those who find her: \"Whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD\" (Proverbs 8:35). Christ Himself is \"the wisdom of God\" (1 Corinthians 1:24), the ultimate revelation of divine truth.
\n\nJames distinguishes two kinds of wisdom. Earthly wisdom is \"sensual, devilish\" and produces \"envying and strife\" (James 3:14-15). But \"the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits\" (James 3:17). The source determines the character—wisdom from below serves self; wisdom from above serves God and others.
\n\nGod promises wisdom to those who ask. \"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him\" (James 1:5). This liberality encourages persistent prayer for discernment. Solomon asked for wisdom above all else and received not only wisdom but riches and honor as well (1 Kings 3:9-13).
", "subtopics": { "The Fear of the Lord": { "description": "Beginning of wisdom", "verses": [ { "ref": "Proverbs 9:10", "note": "Fear of the LORD is beginning of wisdom" }, { "ref": "Proverbs 1:7", "note": "Fear of the LORD beginning of knowledge" }, { "ref": "Job 28:28", "note": "Fear of the Lord, that is wisdom" }, { "ref": "Psalms 111:10", "note": "Good understanding to all who do them" } ] }, "Seeking Wisdom": { "description": "How to obtain wisdom", "verses": [ { "ref": "James 1:5", "note": "Ask of God liberally" }, { "ref": "Proverbs 2:1-6", "note": "Seek as silver, search as treasure" }, { "ref": "Proverbs 4:7", "note": "Wisdom is the principal thing" }, { "ref": "1 Kings 3:9-12", "note": "Solomon's request for wisdom" } ] }, "Christ Our Wisdom": { "description": "Jesus as God's wisdom", "verses": [ { "ref": "1 Corinthians 1:24", "note": "Christ the wisdom of God" }, { "ref": "1 Corinthians 1:30", "note": "Made unto us wisdom" }, { "ref": "Colossians 2:3", "note": "All treasures of wisdom hidden in Christ" }, { "ref": "Matthew 12:42", "note": "Greater than Solomon" } ] }, "Wisdom vs. Folly": { "description": "The two paths", "verses": [ { "ref": "James 3:13-17", "note": "Earthly vs. heavenly wisdom" }, { "ref": "Proverbs 14:12", "note": "Way seemeth right but ends in death" }, { "ref": "1 Corinthians 3:19", "note": "Wisdom of world is foolishness" }, { "ref": "Proverbs 12:15", "note": "Fool is right in own eyes" } ] } } } }