In Proverbs 9:10-12 King Solomon said, The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. For through wisdom, your days will be many, and years will be added to your life. If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you; if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer.
“Wisdom begins with respect for the LORD, and understanding begins with knowing the Holy One. If you live wisely, you will live a long time; wisdom will add years to your life. The wise person is rewarded by wisdom, but whoever makes fun of wisdom will suffer for it.” NCV The starting point for acquiring wisdom is to be consumed with awe as you worship YAHWEH. To receive the revelation of the Holy One, you must come to the one who has living understanding. Wisdom will extend your life, making every year more fruitful than the one before. TPT
If there is anything that is lacking largely among human beings in general it is the lack of wisdom.
There are several kinds of wisdom. There is general wisdom, there is God’s wisdom, and there is Man’s wisdom.
What is wisdom? In my opinion, I believe wisdom is often defined as the ability to make sound decisions and judgments based on experience, knowledge, and understanding. It encompasses several key aspects: KNOWLEDGE: Having a deep understanding of various subjects and contexts. EXPERIENCE: Gaining insights and lessons from life experiences, allowing for informed decision-making. PERSPECTIVE: The ability to see the bigger picture and consider multiple viewpoints before concluding. JUDGMENT: The skill to evaluate situations and make choices that have the best outcomes for oneself and others. COMPASSION: An understanding and empathy towards others, often guiding wise actions in social interactions. In essence, wisdom is more than just knowing; it involves applying knowledge thoughtfully and reflectively to navigate life’s complexities.
GODS WISDOM
The concept of God’s wisdom can be deeply personal and subjective. It’s important to recognize that different people have diverse perspectives on this topic based on their faith traditions and personal experiences which simply means God’s wisdom is primarily based on one’s relationship with God how well one understands God and how God relates with the person. Even though Abraham was referred to as the father of faith according to the record in Hebrews and one of the great-grandfathers of Jesus Christ in Luke, Abraham was an idol worshiper in his days, so was Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, David, and several other notable individuals God used in the Old Testament of the Bible and their relationship with God not based on their choice of religion but on their availability to make themselves available for God to use in their time and their generation. As a result of that, they all accomplished so great results for the Lord to the point that to date no one could break their records.
The wisdom of God is not in being religious, being spiritual, or being dedicated to whatever things one chooses to be doing in the religion he or she belongs to. Those are religious activities that lead nowhere. To possess the wisdom of God is to align oneself with the direct instructions from God most of which will either contradict what your religious leaders had taught you, what your culture and tradition subscribed to, and many more. In 1 Corinthians 1:25, Apostle Paul said, “For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.” ESV
The NIV puts it more in plain language saying, “For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.”
To operate in the wisdom of God as I said earlier, there must be a personal relationship with God, and whatever formation, revelation, instructions, advice, suggestion, correction, or promises we receive as a result of our relationship with God, those things are personal to us they do not apply to everyone neither are they general to the public.
For example, the promises of God to Abraham in Genesis 12:1-3 says, “The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse, and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” These are God’s promises to Abraham at the initial stage and not to Isaac or anyone. When Abraham died and the promise had to continue since the promise was meant to outlive Abraham, God extended the same promise to Isaac in Genesis 26:24-27:25 where it was recorded that, “And the Lord appeared to him the same night and said, “I am the God of your father Abraham; do not fear, for I am with you. I will bless you and multiply your descendants for My servant Abraham’s sake.” So he built an altar there and called on the name of the Lord, and he pitched his tent there, and there Isaac’s servants dug a well.”
The Wisdom of God or God’s wisdom can only be accessible through a personal relationship with God. Without a personal relationship with God, no one can access God’s wisdom and without it, one can not experience God on a personal level nor have any solid information about God or events either in the past, present, or future; nor can one have a solid foundation that can guarantee one’s place in God.
MAN’ WISDOM
The concept of “man’s wisdom” can be interpreted in different ways depending on the context. In general, wisdom is often associated with the ability to make sound judgments, have deep understanding, and apply experience and knowledge to navigate life’s challenges effectively. This can involve critical thinking, problem-solving, ethical decision-making, and the pursuit of personal and collective well-being. Different cultures, philosophies, and religions may have varying perspectives on what constitutes wisdom and how it is acquired and expressed.
Man’s wisdom is wisdom that focuses on the self with a high level of instinct to survive in any given situation and circumstance. This is one wisdom so many people lack, especially the religious folks and it is one wisdom the religious leaders all over the world possess in abundance. In Luke 16:8-9, Jesus Christ said, “Now here’s a surprise: The master praised the crooked manager! And why? Because he knew how to look after himself. Streetwise people are smarter in this regard than law-abiding citizens. They are on constant alert, looking for angles, surviving by their wits. I want you to be smart in the same way—but for what is right—using every adversity to stimulate you to creative survival, to concentrate your attention on the bare essentials, so you’ll live, really live, and not complacently just get by on good behavior.”
To operate in Man’s wisdom, you must learn, determine, and stay focused on…
Knowing how to look after yourself.
This might sound selfish but Jesus Christ never taught us to love others more than we love ourselves. Nope! He simply said, love your neighbors as yourself. Meaning, with the same strength you love yourself, love others. And our loving others must not be as a result of them being of the same faith or religion as we are, no! But the love must be based on the fact that they are human beings like us and they deserve our love no matter what.
So, looking after oneself is not evil. Doing anything and everything possible to survive and remain relevant is not evil. King Solomon did not become wealthy because God gave him wisdom. Having wisdom without the application of wisdom is foolishness. The application of wisdom is what determines whether one is wise or foolish. And trust me, too much religious practice can render one foolish even with all the wisdom possessed. King Solomon became wealthy by marrying wealthy women and got involved with commerce including the importation and exportation of goods, collection of Tax from the poor citizens he was reigning over, and a bit of fraud practices. It’s all written in the Bible you can check them out.
Be Streetwise
This is one aspect many people are lacking and suffering from. In Ecclesiastes 10:15, King Solomon said
The labor of fools wearies every one of them, because [he is so ignorant of the ordinary matters that] he does not even know how to get to town. Another translation says, “The labor of the foolish wearieth every one of them because he knoweth not how to go to the city.” Another version says, “The struggles of fools weary them, for they don’t know how to go to the city.”
No matter how spiritual, religious, or committed we are to the faith we hold so dear to our hearts if we are not streetwise and smarter than law-abiding citizens, nothing will work in our lives. Those on the side of the laws are always the ones operating against the laws. That is why in every nation of the world, only those with criminal mindsets make the laws. It takes a criminal to catch another criminal.
To be Streetwise is to typically refers to a practical, shrewd, and resourceful understanding of the realities of everyday life, especially in urban or challenging environments. A streetwise person is often savvy, astute, and adept at navigating social dynamics, potential risks, and opportunities in their surroundings. This can include having a sharp intuition, being aware of potential dangers, understanding people’s intentions, and possessing the skills to handle unexpected situations effectively. Being streetwise often involves a combination of situational awareness, social intelligence, and the ability to adapt to various circumstances.
Be smarter
Being “smarter” generally refers to having a higher level of cognitive ability, intelligence, and mental capacity. This can encompass a range of skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity, memory, and the ability to learn and apply new information. Smarter individuals may also demonstrate a greater understanding of complex concepts, analyze situations effectively, and make informed decisions. It’s important to note that intelligence can manifest in various forms, including emotional intelligence, cultural intelligence, and social intelligence, and can be developed and nurtured through learning, experience, and exposure to new ideas.
Laws are meant to be broken but it takes only a smarter person to break the law and go away with it. Every broken law is an establishment of a new law. In sports, they called it a new record. But it’s simply a new law, a new standard of which something must/can be accomplished. That is the way the world is programmed and until one can understand it, break it, and make it work for oneself, one will continue to work in vain and bring forth trouble. Let’s be smart and not religiously or spiritually stupid.
Law-abiding citizens don’t make much impact in life. The streetwise ones are so smart constantly on alert, looking for angles, and surviving by their wits. M.C. Musliu Oluomo and Gani Adams are the perfect personalities I can think of to explain this. Without schooling, without a wealthy background or parents, these two personalities rose to stardom with just their streetwise experiences and smartness. No President in Nigeria can ignore them. If we can master the acts of streetwise and smartness, we will go a long way in life.
EARTHLY WISDOM
Earthly wisdom refers to knowledge and understanding that is practical, relevant to everyday life, and grounded in the tangible experiences and realities of the physical world. This type of wisdom often involves making sound decisions, solving problems, and navigating life’s challenges using common sense, practical reasoning, and a deep awareness of human nature and the natural world. Earthly wisdom may encompass a range of skills and insights related to social interactions, ethical decision-making, resource management, and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances in the physical world. It is often contrasted with more abstract or spiritual forms of wisdom.
In 1 Corinthians 3:19-23 Apostle Paul said, “For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness”; and again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.” So then, no more boasting about human leaders! All things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours, 23 and you are of Christ, and Christ is of God.
If what Apostle Paul said here is that “the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight” then God would have reversed the laws Moses gave to the children of Israel that had now become the spiritual laws in the church. Without the application of earthly wisdom, the spiritual laws will not respond to us, and this simple fact all the Patriarchs in the Bible who in their time and generations accomplished the impossible for God’s Kingdom understood and lived by, and that includes Abraham, King David, and even Prophet Jeremiah.
GENERAL WISDOM
General wisdom can encompass a wide range of knowledge, insights, and principles that are considered valuable for guiding behavior, decision-making, and understanding the world. It often includes a combination of experience, understanding of human nature, awareness of social dynamics, and insights into fundamental truths about life. General wisdom may cover various aspects like ethical considerations, practical advice for living a fulfilling life, and an understanding of universal principles that transcend specific contexts. It is often seen as a collection of timeless truths and common sense that can be applied across different areas of life and shared with others for their benefit.
In Proverbs 4:7 King Solomon said, “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.” What he was saying in essence is that, “The beginning of wisdom is: Get [skillful and godly] wisdom [it is preeminent]! And with all your acquiring, get understanding [actively seek spiritual discernment, mature comprehension, and logical interpretation].
What does it mean to be skillful? To be skillful means to possess a high level of proficiency, expertise, and competence in performing a particular task or activity. Skillfulness often involves the ability to execute specific actions effectively, efficiently, and with precision. This can include a wide range of abilities such as technical skills, cognitive skills, physical dexterity, creative talents, interpersonal skills, problem-solving abilities, and other competencies that enable individuals to achieve desired outcomes in their respective fields. Skillfulness is often developed through practice, experience, and continuous learning, and it is valued in various professional, artistic, athletic, and personal pursuits.
A larger percentage of people all over the world are not skillful in anything most especially the religious and the born-against individuals who call themselves born-again Christians. The majority of them don’t know how to make things happen but can fast and pray for years without results and when nothing changes, they either blame it on Satan, Devils, enemies, or the government and yet they live in the same economy, in the same nation, under the same government with individuals that are making millions every week. Our problem is not Satan, Devils, enemies, or government, our problem is ourselves. Deal with yourself and free yourself from whatever is holding you down.
While we strive to be skillful, we should also forget the aspects of being godly in all we do. The concept of being godly typically relates to exhibiting qualities or attributes that are considered to reflect or align with the characteristics attributed to a divine or spiritual nature. This may include qualities such as righteousness, kindness, compassion, humility, wisdom, and moral integrity. In many religious and philosophical traditions, being godly often involves adhering to principles of goodness, practicing virtues, and seeking spiritual growth or enlightenment. For many, being godly involves living in a way that is in harmony with a higher power, living a life of service to others, and embodying qualities that are perceived as reflecting the divine nature.
One of the reasons why so many people are not productive is because they are so afraid of man and forget what it means to fear God. While the fear of God produces wisdom in us, the fear of man produces destruction and Jesus Christ warned us in Matthew 10:28 saying, “Fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”
If we all can do away with the fear of human beings, and concentrate on our lives and our relationships with God, things will work out better and faster for us all.
Thank you for reading. If you have any questions or want to invite me to teach in any of your meetings, please feel free to reach me at +2348037723500. I don’t charge for teaching engagement. It’s free