Pursue Wisdom

James 3:13-17

You might want to read this passage from several different Bible versions. It adds a great deal of perspective as to what james wants the reader to glean from this passage.

There are two kinds of wisdom available to us: earthly wisdom and heavenly wisdom.

Earthly wisdom (wisdom of man) produces envy, selfish ambition, pride, and lies. The result of such earthly wisdom is disorder and evil practices.

Heavenly wisdom (wisdom of God) produces good life, good deeds and humility. The results of God's wisdom includes, purity, peace, consideration, submissiveness, mercy, good fruit, impartiality, and sincereity.

It's pretty obvious which wisdom we want to be at work in our daily life. But how do we go after, pursue, or obtain Godly wisdom (heavenly wisdom)?

King Solomon is known as the wisest man of men mentioned in Scripture. Indeed, the Scriptures tell us that not only was he the wisest man to have lived, but that there is none as wise as he was since then. Solomon wrote most of the book of Proverbs and all of the books of Ecclesiastes and Song of Songs. Therefore, we need to look at his life to begin to understand how to obtain wisdom for ourselves. Rather than study his whole life, we will begin to look at the moment of his rising to leadership as king over Israel. A key phrase can be found in the final verses of Ecclesiastes that sheds light on Solomon's wisdom: "Fear God and keep his commandments."

Read 1 Kings 3:1-28 (a parallel passage can be found in 2 Chronicles 1:1-17). As you read answer these questions:

1. Why did Solomon want wisdom?

2. By God giving more than Solomon asked, God was saying what?

3. In what situations did Solomon feel the need for wisdom?

4. Do you pursue heavenly wisdom? How? You may want to read Proverbs 8:1-21 and 9:1-6. Try reading these verses from The Message. Also look at Proverbs 2:1-8.

The world looks first to prosperity, power, and prestige as the means for gaining wisdom. That's an earthly wisdom which leads us down the wrong path. Heavenly wisdom seeks after God and his wisdom. Once heavenly wisdom is found, God gives to those who fear Him, prosperity, power and prestige (Matthew 6:33).

5. What has been your toughest decision this past year? What prevailed? Your feelings? Other's advice? Your circumstances?

6. What do you need more of?

Jesus said:
"The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon's wisdom, and now one greater than Solomon is here." Matthew 12:42 NIV

James wrote:
"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 NIV