Proverbs
Nine One Five
#03
Proverbs 1:03 To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity;
What is wisdom?
Wisdom is complicated to define for many. Unlike knowledge (what you know) and understanding (the ability to understand) it doesn’t immediately express its definition.
In James 3:13-18 we are told of wisdom that is from above in contrast to the wisdom from below. This makes it clear to us that there are different kinds of wisdom and not all of them are from God.
The word wisdom is used in James 3 to describe what we would call someone’s “worldview”. Meaning the lens or filter they apply to the world around them and all that they know about it. The wisdom from above, is perceiving the world with a Godly view of things, it is sound wisdom. In contrast, the wisdom from below is processing information with an earthly, sensual, or devilish mindset.
God speaks of wisdom from above in Proverbs. That is why many will give a definition to wisdom such as: “wisdom is seeing things from God’s perspective." While that is true of sound wisdom, it is not the true definition of the word itself.
Wisdom that is from above is the kind of wisdom God promises to teach us in Proverbs. It is the kind of wisdom that begins with the fear of the Lord. It is the kind God promises to give when we 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 )
Proverbs is not offering just any wisdom. It is offering the wisdom that is from above, and with that, it is offering to truly help us see things from God’s perspective.
In James 3:13-18 we are told of wisdom that is from above in contrast to the wisdom from below. This makes it clear to us that there are different kinds of wisdom and not all of them are from God.
The word wisdom is used in James 3 to describe what we would call someone’s “worldview”. Meaning the lens or filter they apply to the world around them and all that they know about it. The wisdom from above, is perceiving the world with a Godly view of things, it is sound wisdom. In contrast, the wisdom from below is processing information with an earthly, sensual, or devilish mindset.
God speaks of wisdom from above in Proverbs. That is why many will give a definition to wisdom such as: “wisdom is seeing things from God’s perspective." While that is true of sound wisdom, it is not the true definition of the word itself.
Wisdom that is from above is the kind of wisdom God promises to teach us in Proverbs. It is the kind of wisdom that begins with the fear of the Lord. It is the kind God promises to give when we 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 )
Proverbs is not offering just any wisdom. It is offering the wisdom that is from above, and with that, it is offering to truly help us see things from God’s perspective.