Everything in life starts with a knowledge of God. Knowledge is the acquisition of information. Understanding is the arrangement of that information. God’s wisdom is what causes knowledge to be properly applied in our lives. 

‘My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest for Me; Because you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children.’ Hosea 4:6

Often we know WHAT God said—that’s knowledge—but they don’t know what God MEANT. We don’t understand how to connect the dots. Wisdom is the application of knowledge acquired and the arrangement of the information. We need all three: knowledge, understanding, and wisdom.

‘Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding. Exalt her, and she will promote you; She will bring you honor, when you embrace her. She will place on your head an ornament of grace; A crown of glory she will deliver to you.’ Proverbs 4:7-9

It is important to understand the value of grace, and wisdom gives us an ornament of grace and a crown of glory. The writer of Proverbs says that wisdom is the principal thing, the priority. We are to make it the focus of our lives. The book of Proverbs is full of passages on wisdom, showing us the benefits, promises, and blessings that come with God’s wisdom. 

‘Wisdom is more valuable than all the gold and silver in the world. Money and riches will not make anyone happy. There is nothing in this world that compares to the wisdom of God. Like a good woman, wisdom must be found, honored, treated properly, embraced, exalted, and retained. Wisdom is not gained by happenstance, but must be sought, clung to, and valued. Solomon sought God for wisdom, and God gave him far more than he asked.

Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?”’ 1 Kings 3:9

In this passage we see that Solomon is not just asking for head knowledge, but to be able to judge God’s people righteously and to discern good from evil. No one can discern good and evil in this hour without the wisdom of God. We cannot make righteous judgments without the wisdom of God.

The fool says there is no God, but the wise man acknowledges the one true God.

‘The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, They have done abominable works, There is none who does good.’ Psalms 14:1

The fool hates knowledge and is destroyed, but the wise man listens and finds safety.

‘“How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? For scorners delight in their scorning, And fools hate knowledge. For the turning away of the simple will slay them, And the complacency of fools will destroy them; But whoever listens to me will dwell safely, And will be secure, without fear of evil.”’ Proverbs 1:22,32-33

Fools despise instruction, but the wise man hears and heeds instruction.

‘The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction.’ Proverbs 1:7

Fools inherit shame, but the wise inherit glory.

‘The wise shall inherit glory, But shame shall be the legacy of fools.‘ Proverbs 3:35

Fools hide hatred with lying lips and slander, but the wise guard their speech.

‘Whoever hides hatred has lying lips, And whoever spreads slander is a fool. In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, But he who restrains his lips is wise.‘ Proverbs 10:18-19

Fools use evil for fun and entertainment, but the wise man knows to flee from evil. 

‘To do evil is like sport to a fool, But a man of understanding has wisdom.’ Proverbs 10:23

A fool thinks he is always right, but the wise man receives counsel.

‘The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But he who heeds counsel is wise.’ Proverbs 12:15

Hanging out with fools brings destruction, but walking with wise men produces wisdom.

‘He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will be destroyed.’ Proverbs 13:20

‘Do not be deceived: “Evil communications [company] corrupt good manners.”’ 1 Corinthians 15:33

God calls us, as His people, to get wisdom. Wisdom is NOT found in our own understanding, or in being wise in our own eyes. Wisdom cannot be purchased with anything of this earth. Wisdom is found primarily in God’s Word, in the fear of the Lord, and in Jesus Christ.

‘Get wisdom! Get understanding! Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth. Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you; Love her, and she will keep you. Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.’ Proverbs 4:5-7

1) In the instruction of God’s Word (Written & Living). The entire Bible is a source of wisdom (Proverbs, Psalms, Law, Prophets).

‘In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.’ John 1:1,14

2) In the Cross, where we find understanding beyond measure. Within the cross is God’s power to save us, to change us, and to enlighten us with His very wisdom.

‘But we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.‘ 1 Corinthians 1:23-24

3) In asking God for Wisdom. God didn’t withhold anything from Solomon when he asked for wisdom, and He won’t withhold anything from us if we ask.

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

‘“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.’ Matthew 7:7-8

4) In humility and meekness. If we are wise in our own eyes, we will not gain understanding through the mind of Christ.  

‘Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom.‘ James 3:13

5) In the fear of the Lord. Those who fear the Lord gain understanding and depart from evil. 

‘“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.’ Proverbs 9:10

‘The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments. His praise endures forever.’ Psalms 111:10

Earthly wisdom is governed by feelings, experiences, and circumstances. Godly wisdom is based on His Word, it is always the same, never changing. Learn more about wisdom from above by accessing the FREE booklet, Wisdom – The Principal Thing, available as either a digital download or a printed copy. Use code WISE to get the free physical copy using this link. Offer expires 4/30/2026. Learn what God says about wisdom and where to find it. Wisdom – The Principal Thing outlines eight characteristics of Godly wisdom. Find out why wisdom is more valuable than gold and cannot be purchased by earthly wealth.

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Discover how the pursuit of wisdom brings true happiness

This resource is a guide for every believer to understand wisdom and how to get it. ‘Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.’ Proverbs 4:7

Wisdom Is Yours For The Asking

God didn’t withhold anything from Solomon when he asked for wisdom, and He won’t withhold anything from us if we ask. ‘If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.’ James 1:5. 

This comprehensive package is perfect for individual study or group discussion, equipping you with foundational insights from the Word of God to understand the value and importance of God’s wisdom.

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• The printed booklet entitled Wisdom – The Principal Thing
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