God is the ultimate source of all wisdom and truth. As James 1:5 says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” Seeking wisdom begins with fearing the Lord, as Proverbs 9:10 declares, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.” To gain true wisdom, we must humble ourselves before God, acknowledge our need for Him, and ask for wisdom sincerely, trusting that He will provide it according to His perfect will.
Here are some biblical ways to seek and grow in godly wisdom:
1. Study God’s Word
The Bible is inspired by God and contains endless wisdom and truth for life. As we read and meditate on Scripture, we learn to think God’s thoughts after Him. The Word equips us for every good work and transforms our minds to become more like Christ (2 Timothy 3:16-17). We should approach God’s Word with humility, asking the Holy Spirit to give us understanding. The more we know and apply the Bible, the wiser we will become in navigating life’s challenges.
2. Pray for wisdom
In prayer, we can directly ask God for the wisdom we need in specific situations, just as King Solomon did when he sought wisdom to lead Israel well (1 Kings 3:9). We can admit our limitations and depend on God’s unlimited insight and perspective. Through prayer, He can reveal areas where we need to grow in wisdom and point us toward solutions grounded in biblical truth.
3. Pursue godly counsel
Other believers can provide valuable perspective and advice grounded in godly wisdom. “Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety,” Proverbs 11:14 notes. Wise and mature Christians can help us apply biblical principles correctly. However, we should evaluate all advice against Scripture to ensure it aligns with God’s truth.
4. Walk in obedience
Wisdom starts with fearing the Lord and obeying Him wholeheartedly. As we walk in obedience to God’s Word, He will give us deeper understanding of His ways. “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight,” Proverbs 9:10 reminds us. Obedience and wisdom go hand in hand.
5. Be humble and teachable
To grow in wisdom, we must humble ourselves before God, recognizing we lack insight apart from Him. We should be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to become angry in discussions (James 1:19). Arrogance and pride block wisdom, so we must stay humble and open to instruction.
6. Fear God, not man
Human thinking is prone to folly, but godly wisdom remains reliable. We gain true wisdom when we fear God above all else, refusing to compromise biblical truth to please people. As Proverbs 29:25 cautions, “The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is safe.” Fearing God protects us from foolishness.
7. Renew your mind
We previously conformed to the patterns of this world, but God wants to transform our thinking. As Romans 12:2 explains, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Filling our minds with God’s truth renews our thinking to align with His wise ways.
8. Wait patiently on God
God often teaches wisdom through waiting. During long seasons of unanswered prayer, we can fret over God’s timing. But as we wait patiently for God to work and trust in His perfect plan, He enlarges our understanding. “I waited patiently for the LORD; he inclined to me and heard my cry,” Psalm 40:1 notes. Patience breeds wisdom.
9. Endure trials
Painful trials test and deepen our faith. As we walk through difficulties while trusting God, we gain wisdom and perseverance for life’s other challenges. “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness,” James 1:2-3 observes. Leaning on God through suffering bears the fruit of wisdom.
10. Be teachable through failure
When we stumble in sin or make unwise choices, God uses failure to teach us wisdom. If we respond humbly, failures instruct us to rely more fully on Him rather than our limited understanding. “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble,” James 4:6 reminds us. Approaching failure with humility leads to growth in wisdom.
11. Value wisdom
Scripture urges us to eagerly value and prioritize wisdom. Proverbs 16:16 notes, “How much better to get wisdom than gold! To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.” Valuing wisdom leads us to passionately pursue it. Wisdom should be our highest aim, not riches or success.
12. Watch your life and doctrine
Mature believers have trained themselves through practice to distinguish good and evil. As Hebrews 5:14 explains, “Solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.” Careful self-examination helps us walk wisely and apply God’s Word accurately.
13. Invest in relationships
We sharpen one another as iron sharpens iron through edifying relationships (Proverbs 27:17). Seeking out wise mentors who challenge us, accountable friendships, and fellowship with other believers helps nurture wisdom. Their godly counsel provides invaluable perspective for walking in wisdom.
14. Be quick to hear, slow to speak
Wise believers are characterized by listening well and speaking carefully. “Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger,” James 1:19 advises. Restraining our speech allows us to learn. Listening attentively shows humility and teaches wisdom.
15. Cry out for insight
At times, grasping God’s truth feels inaccessible. We can cry out to Him for light and understanding like the psalmists often did. “Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law… Teach me good judgment and knowledge,” Psalm 119:18, 66 asks. God delights to answer sincere prayers for discernment.
16. Fear the Lord
Wisdom starts with reverence for the Lord. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding,” Psalm 111:10 declares. Honoring God as completely holy and worthy of worship is the foundation for gaining true perspective and insight for living.
17. Walk with the wise
Choosing relationships with wise believers who obey God rubs off on us. “Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm,” Proverbs 13:20 observes. Their godly patterns can model and motivate wisdom in our own lives. We become like those we walk with.
18. Desire wisdom above all
Our priorities determine our pursuits. Wisdom must be our highest aim, valuing it “more than silver, and her profit better than gold,” as Proverbs 3:14 describes. When we prize wisdom, we will devote ourselves to seeking it. Halfhearted interest yields little gain.
19. Receive correction
Pride blinds us to our faults, but humble believers welcome correction. “Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you; reprove a wise man, and he will love you,” Proverbs 9:8 notes. Taking criticism with grace and gratitude grows wisdom. Defensiveness shuts the door to better understanding.
20. Study creation
All God’s works reflect His glory and wisdom. As we study creation and reflect on His handiwork, we gain perspective on His power and insight into living wisely. “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork,” Psalm 19:1 declares. Marveling at creation builds awe for our wise Creator.
21. Ask for God’s will
Decisions can perplex and overwhelm us. But we serve a God who promises to lead and guide those who seek Him. Praying for discernment and asking God to reveal His will grants clarity amid confusion. As James 1:5 assures, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.”
22. Guard against self-reliance
Leaning on our own understanding leads nowhere wise. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding,” Proverbs 3:5 warns. The starting point for wisdom is acknowledging we cannot manufacture it ourselves. Dependence on God’s insight liberates us from foolish independence.
23. Trust God’s timing
Waiting on God’s perfect timing, rather than demanding instant answers, nurtures wisdom. “For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry,” Habakkuk 2:3 promises. Trusting God’s timing rather than insisting on our own grows wisdom and peace.
24. Believe God’s Word over feelings
Human emotions fluctuate, but God’s truth remains steady. When feelings conflict with Scripture, believers must uphold God’s Word as the ultimate authority and source of wisdom. “Let God be true though every one were a liar,” Romans 3:4 affirms. Clinging to Scripture over fickle emotions anchors us in wisdom.
25. Accept discipline
Discipline produces righteousness and wisdom when received with a humble, open heart. As Hebrews 12:11 notes, “For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” Embracing discipline with thankfulness yields wisdom and spiritual maturity.
26. yearn for purity
Wisdom and purity are closely linked, as seen in James 3:17: “The wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.” As we seek holiness and reject impurity, God grants us greater wisdom for walking uprightly. Purity should be our aim.
27. Store up God’s Word
Hiding God’s Word in our heart equips us to live wisely. As Psalm 119:11 declares, “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” Continually reading, studying, memorizing, and meditating on Scripture transforms our thinking and renews our minds to align with God’s perfect wisdom rather than the world’s faulty thinking.
28. Submit to authorities
Human authorities are established by God. When we submit to governing leaders and authorities with biblical respect, it demonstrates wisdom and trust in God’s sovereignty. “Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution… Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God,” 1 Peter 2:13, 16 instructs.
29. Act on wisdom
Simply hearing God’s Word does not make us wise. We gain wisdom by actively living out and obeying His truth. As James 1:22 reminds us, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” Wisdom requires applying Scripture to life, not just accumulating head knowledge.
30. Remain humble
Pride and arrogance hinder our ability to learn and receive correction. But when we stay humble, we position ourselves to gain wisdom and understanding. “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom,” Proverbs 11:2 warns. Humility acknowledges our dependence on God for wisdom.
In summary, godly wisdom comes from revering the Lord and His Word. As we walk closely with God through prayer, Scripture meditation, and obedience, He will generously grant wisdom to equip us for every good work. Wisdom begins with fearing God, trusting His truth over our limited understanding, and humbly submitting our lives to His perfect will and timing. The more we know God, the wiser we become.