WISDOM

Seeking What Is True, Living What Is Right

Wisdom in Scripture is never just about knowledge or intelligence. It is the art of godly living and knowing what is right and having the courage to walk in it. The Bible presents wisdom as a deep, spiritual pursuit rooted in humility, reverence for God, and a desire to align our lives with His ways.

This study begins with a look at the meaning of wisdom in both Hebrew and Greek. The original words paint a rich picture: wisdom as skillful living, spiritual discernment, and practical insight shaped by God’s truth. From this foundation, we’ll explore where wisdom begins, how it grows, and how it shows up in our daily decisions, relationships, and attitudes.

Whether you are seeking guidance, facing complex decisions, or simply longing to grow in maturity. This study invites you to walk the path of wisdom, one step at a time, with the Lord as your guide.

Hebrew Word: חָכְמָה (Chokmah)
Definition: Skill, insight, understanding, or prudence in living.
Usage: Often used to describe the ability to apply knowledge practically and righteously, particularly in obedience to God’s commands.

Greek Word: Σοφία (Sophia)
Definition: Wisdom, especially divine or spiritual wisdom.
Usage: Refers to both practical and spiritual understanding, often involving a moral and ethical dimension aligned with God’s will.

HOW ONE CAN GET WISDOM

Proverbs 9:10: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.”

Proverbs 1:7: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

James 1:5: “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.”

Psalm 19:7: “The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.”

2 Timothy 3:14-15: “But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom¹ you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.”

Proverbs 19:20: “Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future.”

Proverbs 13:20: “Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.”

Proverbs 2:3–6: “Yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.”

Proverbs 11:2: “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom.”

Ecclesiastes 7:14: “In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider: God has made the one as well as the other, so that man may not find out anything that will be after him.”

Psalm 90:12: “So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.”

What keeps you from seeking God’s wisdom?

In what ways are you currently seeking God’s wisdom in your life?

WHAT WISDOM LOOKS LIKE

Proverbs 3:5–7: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.”

Job 28:28: “And he said to man, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.’”

Proverbs 11:30: “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and whoever captures souls is wise.”

Matthew 7:24: “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.”

James 3:17: “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.”

Proverbs 17:27–28: “Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding. Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.”

Proverbs 6:6–8: “Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest.”

Ephesians 5:15–17: “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”

James 3:13: “Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.”

Which of these verses challenges you the most?

Are there any habits you need to adjust in order to reflect God’s wisdom more clearly?

PRACTICAL STEPS TO WALK IN DAILY WISDOM

Proverbs 8:13: “The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate.”

Colossians 1:9: “And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding.”

Joshua 1:8: “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.”

Proverbs 15:22: “Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed.”

Luke 11:28: “But he said, ‘Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!’”

Philippians 2:3: “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.”

Are there areas of your life where you’ve been relying on your own understanding instead of God’s?

What step can you take this week to grow in wisdom?

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.