For the Lord
gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and
understanding; If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. James 1:5
Are you a person who has convinced him or her self into believing that you are unfit for any kind of significant ministry because “you’re not very smart.” You should take notice that the word smart does not appear in Scripture—the word intelligent appears only once. A certain “IQ” is not listed as a ministry requirement. On the other hand the Bible does speak much about wisdom, understanding, and discernment. Are you ready to object again by saying, “I don’t have those last three that you mentioned either.” Consider this, the wisdom that Scripture speaks about doesn’t originate in you. Look at Proverbs 2:6-7 above. It is the Lord God who gives you the wisdom that you need. This isn’t a reference to smarts and IQ. It refers to the practical, common sense application of knowledge from God received through the reading of His Word and the teaching of it. And this all begins with knowing Him in a personal way through a saving relationship with His Son Jesus Christ. Solomon wrote the following in Proverbs 9:10: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. What you really need is wisdom, and you will begin to acquire wisdom through a personal relationship with the Lord and then developing a reverence of Him and as you grow in the grace and knowledge of Him (2 Peter 3:18) you will develop understanding and discernment as well. Proverbs 2:6 mentions that knowledge and understanding come from His mouth—in other words through His Word. You need not fear those that oppose you. In Psalm 119:98 the psalmnist wrote: You, through Your commandments, make me wiser than my enemies; For they are ever with me. Proverbs 2:7 reveals that God is a storehouse of wisdom. You can tap into that storehouse by the study of the Word. But there is another way to acquire it. James 1:5 instructs anyone who feels they lack wisdom to ask God for it, and it will be given to him. Putting this verse into the context of those immediately preceding it—you may be experiencing a trial that you cannot understand or make sense of—you can’t understand how God will bring any good out of it (Romans 8:28). Maybe you don’t have a clue on how to respond to the trial. James tells you to pray for wisdom, being sure that you …ask in faith with no doubting (James 1:6). Long ago, King Solomon went to Gibeon to sacrifice (1 Kings 3:4). He had a dream that resembled one of those fairy tale—genie in a bottle—make one wish stories. But it was the Lord God that appeared to Solomon. And He said, “Ask! What shall I give you?” (1 Kings 3:5). Solomon’s answer appears in verse 9: Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?” Did you notice? Solomon did exactly what James instructed you to do in the New Testament—ask for wisdom when you feel you lack it, and then trust God to answer your prayer. You will notice that His wisdom is so different from human earthly wisdom. James writes: But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. (James 3:17)
Maybe you still feel that you’re not “smart enough” to respond to an opponent that is making fun of you and the gospel. In Luke 21 our Lord spoke of the coming Tribulation, and He also included words of assurance to those who would suffer persecution for His sake in the days before the Tribulation came (in other words, now). Take comfort from His words in Luke 21:15. for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist. In 1 Corinthians 1:21, Paul wrote that …the world through wisdom does not know God…. In other words, God allows the unsaved who put their faith in earthly wisdom, run up many dead ends. Praise God you are not like them! Praise Him that you are among …those who are called (1 Corinthians 1:24); that you are one of the foolish things of the world…that…God has chosen…to put to shame the wise (1 Corinthians 1L27); and then rejoice as you read the words of Paul in 1 Corinthians 1:30. But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption— Forget about smarts and IQ. Instead, rest confidently in the divine wisdom that is available to you from God and His Word and in Christ! (10/16/05) |
