Wise Up!
Part One: Be A Wise Guy
By Louie Marsh, 10-5-2025
1) Biblical wisdom is PRACTICAL not THEORETICAL.
20Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future. 21Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand." (Proverbs 19:20–21, ESV)
"5Whoever keeps a command will know no evil thing, and the wise heart will know the proper time and the just way. 6For there is a time and a way for everything, although man's trouble lies heavy on him." (Ecclesiastes 8:5–6, ESV)
"10If the iron is blunt, and one does not sharpen the edge, he must use more strength, but wisdom helps one to succeed." (Ecclesiastes 10:10, ESV)
The word translated "wisdom" is hakam.
The essential idea of wisdom represents a manner of thinking and attitude concerning life's experiences; including matters of general interest and basic morality. The wisdom of the OT however, is quite distinct from other ancient world views...Reflected in OT wisdom is the teaching of a personal God who is holy and just and who expects those who know him to exhibit his character in the many practical affairs of life.... The emphasis of OT wisdom was that the human will, in the realm of practical matters, was to subject to divine causes. Therefore, Hebrew wisdom was not theoretical and speculative. It was practical, based on revealed principles of right and wrong to lived out in daily life.
In the NT the Greek for Wisdom is Sophia. Sophia originally indicated unusual ability and knowledge in the practical sphere...but later concentrated on theoretical knowledge.
2) Biblical Wisdom is DOING Not just knowing.
"5See, I have taught you statutes and rules, as the Lord my God commanded me, that you should do them in the land that you are entering to take possession of it. 6Keep them and do them, for that will be your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples, who, when they hear all these statutes, will say, 'Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.'" (Deuteronomy 4:5–6, ESV)
"43Whoever is wise, let him attend to these things; let them consider the steadfast love of the Lord." (Psalm 107:43, ESV)
3) Biblical wisdom engages the WILL, not just the intellect.
"17Incline your ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply your heart to my knowledge, 18for it will be pleasant if you keep them within you, if all of them are ready on your lips." (Proverbs 22:17–18, ESV)
"22Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things." (Romans 1:22–23, ESV)
"The ethical dynamic of Greek philosophy lay in the intellect...Knowledge was virtue"
Two extremes to avoid:
· Biblical KNOWLEDGE is wisdom.
The Usual Evangelical One - thinking of spiritual growth and wisdom is equated with how much you know about God and the Bible. Wrong - there are many knowledgeable yet carnal Christians!!
· Knowledge isn't important – it's about OBEDIENCE.
The Usual Fundamentalist One - thinking that knowledge isn't important and developing an anti-intellectual attitude. The Real Truth – I can't obey God if I don't KNOW His Word. But knowledge without obedience is worthless - and foolish!
4) Biblical wisdom comes from GOD.
"10The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!" (Psalm 111:10, ESV)
"7The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction." (Proverbs 1:7, ESV)
"Wisdom is accordingly connected with the fear of Yahweh...Here also is developed the distinctive aspect of the understanding of wisdom in Israel: wisdom is rooted in adherence to God...'This idea is among the most characteristic of Israelite religion. Non-Israelite wisdom is unaware of this kind of almost programmatic rooting of wisdom in the fear of God.' (Gerhard von Rad)"
"1The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds; there is none who does good." (Psalm 14:1, ESV)
5) Biblical wisdom is CHRIST.
"24but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God." (1 Corinthians 1:24, ESV)
For the Christian who is searching for Wisdom - you need look no further than Christ. What He said, how he lived, what he did - these are wisdom incarnate!!
6) Biblical wisdom is LOOKING for me!
"20Wisdom cries aloud in the street, in the markets she raises her voice; 21at the head of the noisy streets she cries out; at the entrance of the city gates she speaks:" (Proverbs 1:20–21, ESV)
"1Does not wisdom call? Does not understanding raise her voice? 2On the heights beside the way, at the crossroads she takes her stand; 3beside the gates in front of the town, at the entrance of the portals she cries aloud: 4"To you, O men, I call, and my cry is to the children of man." (Proverbs 8:1–4, ESV)
"1Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn her seven pillars. 2She has slaughtered her beasts; she has mixed her wine; she has also set her table. 3She has sent out her young women to call from the highest places in the town," (Proverbs 9:1–3, ESV)
Unlike what most people think - wisdom isn't all that hard to find. God wants you to be wise - and will do all He can to help you be that way!
