In our time we have a tremendous amount of information at our disposal. We have schools and colleges on every corner. We have people with fine intellects, lots of knowledge, power, influence and wealth. But the great void we have in the midst of all this, and even with the people whose cup is full with all this information, knowledge, power and influence is that the cup is empty of wisdom.
People pride themselves on their education, knowledge, degrees, and success and yet they have made a disaster of their lives.
With all the tools we possess, and all the things we seek to have, somehow wisdom gets left out of the mix.
There is a lot of scripture about the importance of gaining wisdom and living wisely, but not much scripture on gaining information, material goods, power, money, influence or most of the other stuff people strive their whole lives to possess. But the one thing scripture places at the forefront of our seeking is the one thing most people ignore, wisdom.
Wisdom is not just knowledge. You can know all the facts, and still do the wrong thing. It is closely connected to making the right choices in life. In this verse we learn that the fear of God is what helps us make these right choices.
So it is no surprise to learn that the Bible values wisdom highly. “How much better to get wisdom than gold!”, Proverbs 16:16 says. Money helps us to live as we wish; but wisdom helps us to live as we should. Therefore, it is the more important of the two. We are warned not to trust in our own thoughts. It does not come from within us, but we become wise as we listen to God:
“Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD” (Proverbs 3:7); and “For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding” (Proverbs 2:6).
Have you ever had a time in your life when you needed answers for a problem you were facing, but it seemed that you just couldn’t come up with the right solution? Even though you tried hard to figure things out, did it seem like the right answer to your problem kept eluding you?
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James 1:5 promises that if we will go to Him when we need wisdom, He will give us the answers we need! This verse says, “If any man lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”
If you’ve ever faced a time when you lacked: Wisdom about how to pay your bills; Wisdom about how to deal with debt; Wisdom about how to reverse a decline you were experiencing in your business; Wisdom about how to resolve challenges with your children; Wisdom about how to fix things between you and your spouse; Wisdom about how to get along with your boss or fellow employees; Wisdom about how to make key decisions that affect your future — then the word “lack” in James 1:5 perfectly describes you.
The word “lack” is the Greek word leipo, a Greek word that pictures a deficit of some kind. In our modern-day language, we might call this a shortfall, a shortage, a scarcity, or a deficiency. For instance, people often speak of a “shortfall” of finances. When they experience such a financial shortfall, it greatly impairs their ability to do business as necessary.
A lack of “wisdom” is the most devastating kind of deficit a person or nation can face, for wisdom has the answers, the solutions, and the principles that are needed to reverse any situation and turn it around for the better. A person is at a great disadvantage when he is void of wisdom about how to pay his bills and conquer debt; how to reverse a decline in his business; how to resolve challenges with his children, his spouse, his boss, or his coworkers; or how to make key decisions that will affect his future. When a person lacks this kind of wisdom, it nearly paralyzes him, because he doesn’t know what to do.
When James says, “If any of you lack wisdom,” the word “wisdom” is the Greek word sophias. This word sophias could describe enlightenment, insight, or even special insight.
Just because someone has a university degree doesn’t mean he possesses wisdom. I assure you that there are many stupid university graduates in the world. Although they are intellectually bright and have diplomas hanging all over the walls of their homes and offices, many of them have an approach to life that is totally impractical and fruitless. They theorize all day long but never get anything done. On the other hand, there are many down-to-earth people who never had the privilege of going to college but possess so much wisdom that they’ve become very successful in life.
You need to treat education like it is important, for it definitely is. However, you also need to understand that having an education is not the equivalent of having wisdom. Education gives you information and facts; but wisdom gives you principles, solutions, and answers. Wisdom gives you special insight that helps you know what to do. Wisdom contains the principles that will lead you out of that baffling situation and into a place where things begin to work again. Wisdom guides you to do what is right. Man has education; but God has wisdom.
Are you experiencing a time in your life right now when you need wisdom about a particular situation? Even though you’ve studied and tried to find solutions on your own, have those solutions been evading you? If so, it’s time for you to get a good dose of wisdom from on High. That’s why James says, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God.…”
The word “ask” is the Greek word aiteo. The word aiteo means to be adamant in requesting and demanding assistance to meet tangible needs, such as food, shelter, money, and so forth. This person may insist or demand that a certain need be met, but he approaches his superior with respect and honor as he makes his very strong request. The word aiteo also expresses the idea that the one asking has a full expectation to receive what has been firmly requested.
When James tells us to “ask” God for the wisdom we need, the Greek tense used is a command. This plainly means God isn’t suggesting that we come to Him for wisdom; He is commanding us to do so.
When these words are used together in one phrase, it could be translated:
“If anyone lacks insight, let him firmly request it.…”“If anyone has a shortage of wisdom, he should demand it.…”“If anyone is baffled and doesn’t know what to do, he should be bold to ask.…”
God wants you to come to Him for wisdom first instead of trying to figure things out on your own. Instead of relying on your education and the books on your shelf to give you the answers you need, go to God first and firmly ask Him for wisdom. Approach Him with respect and honor, but also be bold. As a child of God, you have a right to request wisdom from God when you need it.
When your mind is suddenly enlightened and you miraculously see exactly what you need to do or what steps you need to take, those problems that have seemed so mountainous will melt before you. You see, your biggest problem is not the one that is staring you right in the face. Your biggest problem is your lack of wisdom about how to deal with that situation.
So rather than continue to struggle in your own strength, why don’t you go to God and ask Him to give you the necessary wisdom to conquer the situation you are facing in your life right now? As a child of God, you have every right to ask Him. In fact, God commands you to come to Him when you lack wisdom! So take a few minutes today to obey that command. Ask God to give you the wisdom you need.
