…With all wisdom.  Colossians 3.16

Good Morning! 

Question: what is encompassed by wisdom? Socrates was purported to have said ‘the only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.’  I don’t buy that actually, unless it is in comparison to the overall scope of what can be known.  Regarding wisdom, I find the whole notion of it interesting, her various angles compelling and intriguing.  One author penned, ‘at one point in my life, I thought the stories of intelligent men who devoted their lives to the pursuit of wisdom and glory transcended the limits of human understanding and showed the best of human abilities.  I was wrong.  I had the chance to read the lives of several artists and writers and was inspired by their accomplishment.  Yet, I was discouraged by their own plot, which they did not have the power to recreate.

Then I asked, what was their wisdom for?  If such wisdom would push an artist to kill himself, a writer to become a hermit, or a philosopher to despise his neighbors, then what was their wisdom for?  “For with much wisdom comes much sorrow; the more knowledge, the more grief.” (Ecclesiastes 1.18)  Human wisdom is indeed foolish.  The wisdom of the world can never replace the Word of God.’¹

Hence, Paul wrote:

“Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.”²

 This is a beautiful verse!  Another look: “Let Christ’s teaching live in your hearts, making you rich in the true wisdom. Teach and help one another along the right road with your psalms and hymns and Christian songs, singing God’s praises with joyful hearts.” ³ 

For the Lord gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. . . Proverbs 2.6  And from our Lord’s brother, “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” James 1.5

The world only offers a counterfeit.  Real wisdom comes from God.  A little further into his book, James expounds on the nature of God’s wisdom.  But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure, then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere. Jas. 3.17

True wisdom emanates from the heart of God--it is not prideful or puffed up. But the amazing thing about it is that we do not have to take classes in it or keep searching for the latest cultural iteration of it … wisdom can be had by asking God for it.  And God will give generously. If we seek to know him, his wisdom, his directions and plans for us, we will be wise—through studying his Word—which takes diligence, I might add—and communing with him.

As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55.8  

The scope of wisdom includes~     >understanding - what is true, right, lasting;     >discretion - the ability to decide responsibly;          >prudence - wise in handling practical matters, exercising good judgment, common sense, careful about one's conduct; >discernment - keen insight; >knowledge - the sum of scholarly learning through the ages; wise teachings of the ancient sages;                                                                     >action - exercising discretion, prudence, discernment in choosing a course of action for ourselves

Because we lack it, let us include asking God for wisdom each morning!  Amen.

Christine