The Word of Wisdom
The Wise Woman’s Stone
A wise woman who was traveling in the mountains found a precious stone in a stream. The next day she met another traveler who was hungry, and the wise woman opened her bag to share her food. The hungry traveler saw the precious stone and asked the woman to give it to him. She did so without hesitation. The traveler left, rejoicing in his good fortune. He knew the stone was worth enough to give him security for a lifetime. But a few days later he came back to return the stone to the wise woman. “I have been thinking,” he said, “I know how valuable the stone is, but I give it back in the hope that you can give me something even more precious. Give me what you have within you that enabled you to give me something more precious. Give me what you have within you that enabled you to give me the stone.
Author Unknown
The author is unknown, but this story illustrates WISDOM. WISDOM is a spiritual gift as declared in I Corinthians 12:8, “for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit.” The word of WISDOM in Scriptures is different from worldly wisdom. Although WISDOM is usually used with the term knowledge but these two terms are totally different. Knowledge will give you facts, but WISDOM tell us what to do with the facts. WISDOM is the foundation of fearing God. In other words WISDOM gives you the understanding that God is your source and the primary source for survival in this world.
We are all familiar with the adage: The mind is a terrible thing to waste. Do you know why this adage resonates with so many of us? Remember when God created man from dirt which was totally different from the creatures of which He spoke into existence. Whereas, with man, God actually breathed into man’s nostril, and he became a living soul. In other words, God gave us the ability to think, reason and gather information in order to retain it, repeat it and replicate in our minds. He gave us an imagination, which enables our brains to produce a unique ability different from the animal kingdom. Yet, this ability causes us to comprehend which enables us to conceive what is both right and wrong. As humans, we are decision makers with a unique ability above other inhabitants on Earth except spiritual beings. Because of Adams’ decision to disobey the Creator, we now are faced with the same decision of choosing from the knowledge of good and evil. Therefore, WISDOM enables us to choose the ways of God by making the right decisions.
Wisdom enables one to make the right decision according to God’s plan for your life.
Even the Old Testament reflects on the importance of WISDOM as noted in Ecclesiastes 7:12, WISDOM is a defense as money is a defense, but the excellence of knowledge is that wisdom gives life to those who have it. Mainly, WISDOM reflects divine power compared to monetary wealth which demonstrates earthly power. WISDOM gives us the ability to perceive the true nature of a thing, and implement the will of God concerning that thing. We must realize that WISDOM is a gift from God, and all that we must do is to seek this gift of WISDOM. We must search WISDOM intensely instead of passively. In Proverbs the 2nd Chapter, WISDOM is described as hidden treasures. King Solomon encourages his readers to search for WISDOM like silver and gold. When you really begin digging like gold digger, it will lead to Knowledge and Understanding. Now when these two become teammates then you will find WISDOM. (Proverbs:2:4-6)
Even the Apostle James explains the source of WISDOM as coming from heaven when he writes in James 3:17 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. Please understand the difference between wisdom from the Earth and WISDOM from God. For instance, the world teaches us follow your heart; whereas, WISDOM warns that the heart is deceitful above all things as noted in Jeremiah 17:9. We are taught seeing is believing, yet WISDOM reminds us in John 20:29 that blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed. How often have you heard, love them that love you, but WISDOM takes us to another level as noted in Matthew 5:43-47, to love your enemies and bless them that curse you.
Knowledge and Understanding lead to Wisdom.
If we live according to the world’s standards, we will miss the true essence of life as noted by King Solomon when he writes the last chapter of Ecclesiastes, 13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man’s all. 14 For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, Whether good or evil.
WISDOM is our guide in life. When one applies WISDOM daily, it represents that that person approaches all situations and challenges from God’s point of view. Therefore, WISDOM causes you to gain an internal relationship with God. Finally, the Apostle James reminds us in the verse 5 of chapter one, that If any of you lacks WISDOM, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
I challenge you to seek and exercise Godly WISDOM instead of the wisdom of the world.