Mensa Otabil - What Is Wisdom?
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Welcome to a brand new week. Today, we begin a new series that will last for two weeks, similar to our previous teaching on fruitfulness. We’re starting to talk about wisdom, which naturally relates to fruitfulness because we’re discussing the practical things we must do to make our lives fruitful. Wisdom is one of those things that God must help us with to navigate our lives effectively.
My study will be based on Proverbs chapter eight, starting with verse one: «Does not wisdom cry out, and understanding lift up her voice?» We begin with an exploration of what we mean by wisdom, as it has different dimensions and expresses itself in various ways. There are five main expressions of wisdom I want to discuss, and we will develop this concept over the coming days. First and foremost, wisdom is spiritual. When we say wisdom is spiritual, we mean that it has a spiritual foundation, which is the fear of the Lord-the beginning of wisdom. When the Bible talks about the fear of the Lord, it refers to having reverence for God or a deep appreciation for Him. It is not about being scared of God or running away from Him, but rather knowing and respecting Him.
Wisdom begins when we respect God’s laws and rules because, as we observe His principles, we become wiser. For example, God’s principle of sowing and reaping works well for us when we honor it. Therefore, the foundation of wisdom is spiritual, starting with respect for God and His law. Secondly, wisdom is mental, concerning our understanding of how life works. We reference God, but we must also understand the principles that God has placed in the universe and on our earth that work to our advantage.
Wisdom in this sense is not simply high IQ or the ability to do advanced calculations. We all know people who can perform complex calculations but struggle to manage their lives effectively. Wisdom transcends mere knowledge and the ability to recall facts and theories; it includes the capability to interpret these theories into our day-to-day living. There is a mental understanding we gain about how God’s rules benefit us. Wisdom is spiritual; wisdom is mental; wisdom is moral, relating to conduct. In the book of Proverbs, there is often a distinction between wise and foolish people, reflecting a moral foundation. A person with weak morality is easily swayed and makes poor choices. When we operate in wisdom, we fear God and respect His laws, mentally appreciate life’s principles, and maintain moral soundness to avoid misconduct.
Fourth, wisdom is practical, relating to problem-solving. A wise person does not merely possess knowledge but also the ability to solve problems. Wisdom provides us with a practical approach to addressing challenges. Finally, wisdom is governmental, referring to ruling fairly and justly. When we speak of wisdom, we discuss a spiritual relationship with God, honoring His laws, mentally understanding how things work, morally practicing good conduct, and practically solving problems. We also emphasize making the right judgments and decisions at all times.
These five parameters of wisdom will serve as our foundation for all discussions during these two weeks. I trust this exploration will help us all become wiser, manage our lives better, make choices that please God, and benefit others. Are you ready to embark on this journey with wisdom? Then let’s begin.
Let’s pray: «Heavenly Father, You are the all-wise God. Bless me with Your wisdom so I will see life as You see it. In Jesus' name, Amen.»
And that’s how we start. I will be with you again tomorrow. I’m Pastor Mensa Otabil. Shalom, peace, and life to you.