Proverbs 2:6

The book of Proverbs gives us insights into so many different areas of life. The book gives us instruction on how to live our lives for God. Here is a proverb that gives us insight about wisdom:

Proverbs 2:6 (ESV)

For the LORD gives wisdom;

from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;

James 1:5 (NASBStr)

But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

James is often called the Proverbs of the New Testament.   You can see where James may have been reading prior to his penning the words he wrote in the beginning of the Book of James.   Wisdom comes from God.   He GIVES it to those who ask.  We don't have to beg, we don't have to pay, we don't have whin, we don't have to work for wisdom.   Wisdom is a free gift of God.  We know by reading 1 Corinthians 1 that Christ IS wisdom.   So, when we ask for wisdom we ask in faith and receive it.   When we read the second line, above, we find that wisdom comes from God's very mouth.   God's Word is wisdom.  Christ is the Logos of God (John 1:1-2).   The unbelieving world does not have wisdom.   It is found in reverence for God.   We don't have to fear not knowing or having wisdom, we have to fear the One who gives wisdom.   He gives it to those who ask in faith.

The world would have and does have a hard time with this verse and the truth it contains. The world, even the believing world, doesn't view wisdom as a gift. This verse states that wisdom is a gift from God. Any gift from God must come by faith. So, wisdom is the result of faith. In our world, and again even in the believing world, wisdom is seen as something "learned", "accumulated," or "achieved" thorugh knowledge. I would concede that some "types" of wisdom are earned and the "term" wisdom has come to mean that which is earned through age and experience and learning. However, this verse states that wisdom and her associates (knowledge and understanding) come as a direct gift from God.   This is what James echos in his thought as he tells us it is one of God's gifts, as well, that we must simply ask for. In the church today we have the same mindset as the world - that wisdom is earned by our walk or study. But, even the youngest and most inexperienced believer possesses wisdom since Christ is wisdom. We get Christ through faith and therefore we get wisdom through faith. The next time you want wisdom don't think about learning it or studing for it. Think about believing for it.