Tag Archives: wisdom

October 2, 2025 · 5:30 AM

Gaining Wisdom

I was discussing the importance of mentorship with a group. While I was debriefing, a gentleman raised his hand. He said, “So I need to find someone who has been here in my position for a long time so I can get knowledge from them?” I told him that was almost it. I explained that it wasn’t really knowledge he should be seeking from the mentor. What he needs to be seeking is wisdom. You can get knowledge from just about anywhere, and knowledge is good to have. However, knowledge doesn’t really help you if you don’t know what to do with it. Wisdom gives you insight on how to make the best decisions with the knowledge you gain.

In 1 Kings 10, Solomon was visited by the Queen of Sheba. She had heard how wise he was and wanted to see for herself. She observed how his servants and palace were organized and run. She also came prepared with lots of questions hoping Solomon would mentor her a bit. After he answered her questions, she said he was even more wise than what she had heard. Then, in verse 8 she said, “How happy your people must be! What a privilege for your officials to stand here day after day, listening to your wisdom!” (NLT). A Queen was a bit jealous of the commoners who had the opportunity to listen and learn from his wisdom each day.

In Proverbs 3:15 Solomon wrote, “For wisdom is far more valuable than rubies. Nothing you desire can compare with it.” Our world has given this kind of value to knowledge instead of wisdom. More and more people are seeking knowledge over wisdom, but you and I can’t do that. We must place a high value on godly wisdom rooted in His Word. We must seek out people who are more wise than we are and learn from them. Solomon also said that if you want to be wise, you must walk with the wise (Proverbs 13:10). Look around at the people God had placed in your life. Who can you ask to mentor you and give you wisdom? Be prepared with situations and questions when you meet with them. God desires that we gain wisdom. It’s time we were proactive in getting it.

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Throwback Thursday is a feature I’m using to help build some margin into my schedule to pursue other ventures. Each Thursday I’ll be bringing you a previously written devotional that still speaks encouragement to us from God’s Word. 

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October 24, 2024 · 5:30 AM

Valuable Advice

What’s the best advice you never took? People are always giving us advice, but most of it we don’t listen to or follow through with it. Remember when someone told you to buy Bitcoin when it was $.17? I do. Another person told me to purchase some real estate that was cheap. It’s now worth hundreds of thousands. I didn’t buy it back then. One person told me to be careful about who I choose to hang around because I’ll become like them. I thought I could change them. I couldn’t and spent several years in unproductive relationships. I could go on and on about advice I never took from people and the consequences of not listening or following through. I’m sure you could too.

In 1 Kings 12, Solomon had just died and Israel had crowned his son Rehoboam as king. The people told him that if he would lighten the load that his father had on them, they would serve him and follow him forever. He went to his father’s advisors who were older and they concurred with the people. Then verse 8 says, “But Rehoboam rejected the advice of the older men and instead asked the opinion of the young men who had grown up with him and were now his advisers” (NLT). They told him to be harder on the people than his father to prove he was better than his father. When he told the people his answer, they revolted and Israel was split into two. Rehoboam was the king of the smaller territory and missed out on being a prosperous king.

Who is speaking into your life? Who’s opinions do you value? The quality of their advice will dictate the quality of the rest of your life. Proverbs 13:13-14 says, “If you refuse good advice, you are asking for trouble; follow it and you are safe. The teachings of the wise are a fountain of life” (GNT). So many of us miss out on the fountains of life that God places in our life because we refuse their advice or don’t value it. Take time to think about who you’re listening to. Do they give you Godly, Biblical counsel or do they tell you what you want to hear and do? It’s not too late to start refusing the bad advice that you’ve been receiving. Invite someone who is wise and knows God’s Word to begin giving you advice. Follow it and you won’t look back years from now with the regrets of what could have been.

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Throwback Thursday is a feature I’m using to help build some margin into my schedule to pursue other ventures. Each Thursday I’ll be bringing you a previously written devotional that still speaks encouragement to us from God’s Word.

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May 22, 2024 · 5:00 AM

A Fountain Of Wisdom

One of the Bible verses my wife and I pray often is James 1:5. We are constantly asking God to give us wisdom liberally. When someone needs counseling, we pray that prayer before, and during the meeting. When we’re trying to make ends meet, we ask for wisdom. When have decisions to make, you guessed it, we pray for wisdom. We often gain knowledge about things, but we understand we don’t know all the facts and that wisdom is knowing what to do with information. We never want to do things out of our own wisdom or knowledge, so we seek God to give us His knowing that He will supply it.

Proverbs 2:6 says, “Wisdom is a gift from a generous God, and every word he speaks is full of revelation and becomes a fountain of understanding within you” (TPT). God wants to give us wisdom, but we must seek it, then listen to what He says. There’s a period a quiet after asking so that the Holy Spirit can call to remembrance verses in the Bible that may apply (John 14:26). How can we hear the Holy Spirit if we’re still talking or praying? He gives the right words at the right time. People need a word from God more than they need words from us. Listening for scriptures or Bible verses is a way to do that.

Also Proverbs 20:45 says, “A man of deep understanding will give good advice, drawing it out from the well within.” We have to dig deep for wisdom. God has put His kingdom within each of us, but it is up to us to seek it and draw it out. When we read the Bible, meditate on it and put it in our heart, we are feeding that well deep with us. The story’s and words we read become a fountain of understanding that God will use in our own lives and in the lives of others. I pray each day for God to give me a deep understanding of His Word and for Him to help me read it with fresh eyes so I can see things I’ve never seen and make connections within it that I’ve missed. I know that when God reveals His Word to me, it isn’t just for me. It’s for anyone I come across who needs a word from Him. By putting it inside of me, I can draw on it through the Holy Spirit when needed.

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January 26, 2024 · 4:52 AM

Biblical Advice

I’ve received a lot of great advice in my life, but I’ve also received a lot of bad advice (and followed it). Over time I’ve learned who to trust and who not to. I’ve learned to tell what is godly, Biblical advice and what is someone’s opinion. Proverbs 19:20 says, “If you listen to advice and are willing to learn, one day you will be wise” (GNT). I don’t count myself as “wise” yet, but I’m willing to listen to people and to learn. I’ve also learned that it’s important to seek out advice from people I trust when I’m not sure what to do. I then prayerfully consider it and weigh it against Scripture. Once I go through it and apply the advice, I become more wise to handle it in the future so I can help others.

Here are some examples of Biblical advice I love.

1. Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.

Colossians 3:23 NLT

2. Be kind and helpful to one another, tender-hearted [compassionate, understanding], forgiving one another [readily and freely], just as God in Christ also forgave you.

Ephesians 4:32 AMP

3. Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts.

Proverbs 4:23 GNT

4. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.

Romans 12:12-13 ESV

5. Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.

Philippians 2:3 NLT

What a piece of godly or Biblical advice you’ve received that helped you?

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January 15, 2024 · 5:38 AM

Listening For Wisdom

Do you ever hear the air conditioner blowing in the middle of your workday? The sound is there but you don’t hear it because of all the other noise going on around you. Your ears hear the voices, the copy machine, the rustling of papers and people walking by. However, if you tune out all of the noise and listen for the air conditioner you can hear. That’s the difference between hearing and listening. If your ears are attuned to it you’ll hear it all the time. The problem is that our ears have become attuned to the noise around us. If you consciously listen throughout your day for the blowing of the air conditioner you can retrain your brain to pick it up over the other noise.

In 1 Kings 12 Solomon’s son Rehoboam had become king. His father had worked the people to the bone with all of his projects and they were tired. They reached out to the new king and said, ”Your father made our yoke (burden) heavy; so now lighten the hard labor and the heavy yoke your father imposed on us, and we will serve you“ (AMP). So Rehoboam called on the wisdom of his father’s elders to see what he should do. They advised him to ease up and the people would serve him forever. It then says he ignored their wise counsel and went to his young friends to see what they said. They told him to be harder than his father and to make a name for himself. He went with the noise of his friends instead of the wisdom of the elders and the people revolted which split the kingdom.

His father told Him in Proverbs 8:1, ”Does not wisdom call, and understanding lift up her voice?“ Wisdom is calling out to all of us, but there is so much noise in our life that it’s hard to hear her. We have phones, TV’s on 24/7 and people around us constantly. God is asking us to find time get away from the noise in our lives so we can hear His wisdom. He gives it liberally to all who ask (James 1:5), but how many of us listen for it after we ask? Solomon tried to teach all of us that wisdom is everywhere and it’s calling out, but like the air conditioning, we can’t hear it unless we’re listening for it. We must be careful of the websites we go to, the news people we give credence to and the people we listen to for wisdom. We need to find sources of godly wisdom so we can make the best decisions and walk in the blessings of the Lord. Godly wisdom is calling. Are you listening?

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February 24, 2023 · 5:30 AM

Seeking Counsel

When King Solomon died, huisu son Rehoboam became king. There were some older men who had advised his father and gave him counsel that offered their services to the new king. They explained that their father pushed people to their limits and needed a break. The new king had several friends who were young and also counseled him. They told him to reject the counsel of the old men and be even harder on people than his father. He took the advice of the younger men and the people revolted. The kingdom split and his territory shrink significantly because he refused wise counsel. Pride has a way of telling us that we either don’t need counseling or to reject the advice we’re given. Over and over the Bible reminds us of our need to seek and to listen to counsel. Your ability to make an impact on people is tied to your ability to receive good, godly counsel. Seek it out.

Here are some Bible verses on seeking counsel.

1. The way of the [arrogant] fool [who rejects God’s wisdom] is right in his own eyes, But a wise and prudent man is he who listens to counsel.

Proverbs 12:15 AMP

2. Wisdom opens your heart to receive wise counsel, but pride closes your ears to advice and gives birth only to quarrels and strife.

Proverbs 13:10 TPT

3. The godly offer good counsel; they teach right from wrong.

Psalms 37:30 NLT

4. Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed.

Proverbs 15:22 ESV

5. Listen to counsel, receive instruction, and accept correction, That you may be wise in the time to come.

Proverbs 19:20 AMP

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February 14, 2023 · 5:48 AM

Receiving Advice

I was watching a video where a, gentleman was discussing how our need for control is often what stunts our growth. We like to be in charge of our decisions and our life, so we often refuse outside counsel. Proverbs 15:22 tells us that our plans often fail because we have a lack of counselors. When we refuse to ask for advice, we stunt our potential. Whether it’s in life or even in following Christ. God sent the Holy Spirit to guide us, but we often disregard His promptings. He’s given us spiritual leaders, but do we ask them for answers? God wants us to succeed in the plans He has for us. That’s why He has sent us a Helper and given us community. Don’t let your need for control cause you to disregard godly advice and conviction

In Exodus, Moses was tasked with leading millions of Hebrews out of Egypt. He was quick to seek God to help him lead better. With that many people, there were disputes and problems. Moses would personally hear each case and decide who was right and who was wrong. When his father in law Jethro saw this, he decided to offer advice. In Exodus 18:18 he said, “You’re going to wear yourself out—and the people, too. This job is too heavy a burden for you to handle all by yourself” (NLT). He then gave him an idea for a structure of hearing cases that was efficient. Moses listened, gave up control and gained his ability to lead back. He was willing to take outside opinions and wisdom.

Proverbs 2:1 says, “My child, will you treasure my wisdom? Then, and only then, will you acquire it. And only if you accept my advice and hide it within will you succeed” (TPT). How often do you seek the wisdom of others? If you don’t, what’s driving that decision. The need for control is referred to as pride. We can wear ourselves out, and others too, when we try to do everything ourselves. God created the Body of Christ to have many functions and parts so we could work together. Don’t disregard another part of the body’s ideas or help because they’re not the same part as you. When we give up our need for control, we increase our potential and our reach. When we accept godly wisdom and advice, we will succeed.

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July 13, 2022 · 5:43 AM

Gaining Wisdom

I was discussing the importance of mentorship with a group. While I was debriefing, a gentleman raised his hand. He said, “So I need to find someone who has been here in my position for a long time so I can get knowledge from them?” I told him that was almost it. I explained that it wasn’t really knowledge he should be seeking from the mentor. What he needs to be seeking is wisdom. You can get knowledge from just about anywhere, and knowledge is good to have. However, knowledge doesn’t really help you if you don’t know what to do with it. Wisdom gives you insight on how to make the best decisions with the knowledge you gain.

In 1 Kings 10, Solomon was visited by the Queen of Sheba. She had heard how wise he was and wanted to see for herself. She observed how his servants and palace were organized and run. She also came prepared with lots of questions hoping Solomon would mentor her a bit. After he answered her questions, she said he was even more wise than what she had heard. Then, in verse 8 she said, “How happy your people must be! What a privilege for your officials to stand here day after day, listening to your wisdom!” (NLT). A Queen was a bit jealous of the commoners who had the opportunity to listen and learn from his wisdom each day.

In Proverbs 5:11 Solomon wrote, “For wisdom is far more valuable than rubies. Nothing you desire can compare with it.” Our world has given this kind of value to knowledge instead of wisdom. More and more people are seeking knowledge over wisdom, but you and I can’t do that. We must place a high value on godly wisdom rooted in His Word. We must seek out people who are more wise than we are and learn from them. Solomon also said that if you want to be wise, you must walk with the wise (Proverbs 13:10). Look around at the people God had placed in your life. Who can you ask to mentor you and give you wisdom? Be prepared with situations and questions when you meet with them. God desires that we gain wisdom. It’s time we were proactive in getting it.

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June 1, 2022 · 5:49 AM

The Knowledge Trap

One of the most important lessons we’re trying to teach our son is to value wisdom over knowledge. We live in a time where knowledge is more accessible than ever. It has become more valuable in our society than wisdom. Because of the, gone are the days of apprenticeship. Gone are the days of seeking wisdom from the elderly. Gone are the days of working your way up a ladder. 1 Corinthians 8:1 warns that knowledge puffs us up. It makes us think we are better than we are.

King Solomon had a son named Rehoboam who acceded the throne after Solomon’s death. The people came to him in 1 Kings 12 to ask him to lighten the work load that Solomon had given them for years. He went to the elderly to seek their advice. In their wisdom , they let him know that the people would be loyal if he did that. However, he spoke to his friends who did not have wisdom. They advised him to prove he was greater than his father and increase their workload. He liked their advice. In turn, the people revolted and the kingdom split. Future generations refused to live under a king from that dynasty.

Proverbs 4:7 says, “Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do! And whatever else you do, develop good judgment” (NLT). Wisdom is often what you get right after you need it. However, it can be gained through seeking advice from the wise, through researching history or by asking God (James 1:5). It’s good to have knowledge, but not if you don’t know how to use it wisely. In all areas of our lives we need to seek the wisdom from above rather than knowledge from the world. Don’t fall for the knowledge trap. As believers it’s critical that we gain wisdom and good judgment. If God puts a high value on wisdom, so should we since we are His representatives in this world.

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October 29, 2021 · 5:30 AM

Walking In Wisdom

One of the greatest disparities between people today and every other generation in history is the amount of knowledge that is so readily available. In the past, knowledge was handed down from books and elders. Today, the internet has everything you need to know. I’ve used YouTube to learn how to do mechanical work on my car, cook dinner, learn about history and so much more. Living in the age of the internet has definitely increased people’s knowledge.

What it hasn’t done is increase wisdom. I believe because we have forgotten the difference between the two. Knowledge puffs up, but wisdom builds up. Since time began, wisdom has been passed down from elders. With all the knowledge available, we have forgotten to walk with the wise to gain wisdom. God’s desire is that you and I grow in wisdom. Remember, it was the Tree of Knowledge that brought sin into the world. God isn’t against us being knowledgeable, but He understands that knowledge without wisdom is dangerous.

Here are some Bible verses on wisdom. 

1. Those who trust their own insight are foolish, but anyone who walks in wisdom is safe.
Proverbs 28:26 NLT

2. Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without criticizing, and it will be given to him.
James 1:5 HCSB

3. Getting wisdom is the most important thing you can do. Whatever else you get, get insight.
Proverbs 4:7 GNT

4. Wisdom belongs to the aged, and understanding to the old.
Job 12:12 NLT

5. He who walks [as a companion] with wise men will be wise, But the companions of [conceited, dull-witted] fools [are fools themselves and] will experience harm.
PROVERBS 13:20 AMP

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