Increasing in Wisdom
Luke 2:51-52 And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.
Wisdom and understanding are both needed in all types of work and ministry for it to be successful. Through wisdom a house is built, And by understanding it is established (Prov 24:3). Wisdom is a creative idea, an insight; but understanding is needed to accomplish the goal. Wisdom may see hidden information, but understanding knows why, and how to deal with the information.
The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. It is impossible to know God without having the most awesome trembling respect of Him.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction. (Prov 1:7)
The reverential fear of God causes us to perfect holiness in our own lives, knowing that we will reap what we sow, knowing that God will chastise the children He loves as a good Father does, helps us to stay close to God. Holiness is delightful because we then have the joy of a clean heart and right relationship with our God.
I came across this quote from Pastor Chuck Smith:
"I have often said that I marvel at the stupid things brilliant people believe and do once they have rejected the truth of Jesus Christ-because, you see, the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. And when a person rejects the Lord, when he rejects the idea of God, then he is prone to do the most ridiculous things. And he is prone to believe the most ridiculous things."
The first mention of wisdom in the Bible is associated with the Holy Spirit:
Ex 28:2-3 Make sacred garments for Aaron that are glorious and beautiful. Instruct all the skilled craftsmen whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom.
God gifted Moses in wisdom, knowledge, understanding, the capacity to make things, to develop, and to put things together (Ex 31:3). There are many many more mentions of wisdom throughout the Bible.
God is willing to impart to you His wisdom. The Bible tells us that "in Christ lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" (Col 2:3). Ask for wisdom. You will discover that the Holy Spirit can speak through you and give to you a word of wisdom whereby you can be guided by the counsels of God.
