Want to Wise Up Without Becoming a Wise Guy?
Forging forward in hope and humility
If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. (James 1:5, NIV)
For those seeking to know Christ better, there is one explicit, fundamental instruction that James gives us in the 5th verse of chapter 1. He says to pray and ask God for knowledge, and He will provide it. So, I decided to put it to the test.
The Bible tells us that if we ask for more of the Holy Spirit, God will grant that request too.
Would God respond to my plea if I combined the two, more of the Holy Spirit and knowledge?
I had faith that He would answer. I did not doubt because I knew these were His promises.
God responded to my prayer. However, when He showed me something, I had to see. When God spoke to my heart, I had to listen. When He opened doors of learning, I had to walk through them.
James 1:6–8, CEB goes on to say,
Whoever asks shouldn’t hesitate. They should ask in faith, without doubting. Whoever doubts is like the surf of the sea, tossed and turned by the wind. People like that should never imagine that they will receive anything from the Lord. They are double-minded, unstable in all their ways.
Let’s look at some other wise men mentioned in the Bible.
Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.” (Matthew 2:1–2, NKJV)
What made these men wise?
They had a promise, a star, and a hope but did not sit on it. They followed the star until they found the baby, and they knew He was the one who came from God to be the Messiah. They also listened to the Holy Spirit give instructions, and they obeyed.
This is wisdom in action.
Yet, there is one more thing we need to embrace — humility. If we think we are so wise, we may become that “know-it-all” in the crowd who is pompous, condescending, and a prideful loudmouth. Maybe we aren’t wise at all.
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. (Proverbs 11:2, NIV)
Humility is born from true wisdom.
Use the method James suggests if you want wisdom and learn practical discernment in Christian living. Humbly ask God to impart His knowledge and fervently study His word. Be obedient to the leading of the Holy Spirit, but do it with a humble heart. He will generously and ungrudgingly impart wisdom to you.
God has His special message just for you.
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. (Matthew 7:7, NIV)
This is not hopeful thinking but a promise from God.
