ASK Devotions

Part 20: Wisdom - Given When Asked, from Above

Part 20 4 min read

Grows from

Holy Spirit

Ephesians 1:17

“That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him.”

“That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him.”

Key passages

James 1:5

“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”

“But 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 3:17

“But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.”

“But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceful, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.”

Proverbs 1:7

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but the foolish despise wisdom and instruction.”

Proverbs 9:10

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.”

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom. The knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”

Proverbs 3:13-18

“Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.”

“Happy is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gets understanding. For her good profit is better than getting silver, and her return is better than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies. None of the things you can desire are to be compared to her. Length of days is in her right hand. In her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness. All her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her. Happy is everyone who retains her.”

1 Corinthians 1:24, 30

“But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. … But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.”

“But to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God; … Because of him, you are in Christ Jesus, who was made to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption.”

Colossians 2:2-3

“That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”

“That their hearts may be comforted, they being knit together in love, and gaining all riches of the full assurance of understanding, that they may know the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, in whom all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden.”

1 Corinthians 3:19

“For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.”

“For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, ‘He has taken the wise in their craftiness.”

Ephesians 1:17

“That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him.”

“That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him.”

Job 28:28

“And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.”

“To man he said, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom. To depart from evil is understanding.’”

What Scripture says

  • Lack wisdom? Ask God — He gives liberally (James 1:5).
  • Wisdom from above: pure, peaceable, gentle, yielding, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial, without hypocrisy (James 3:17).
  • The fear of the Lord = beginning of wisdom (Prov 1:7; 9:10; Job 28:28).
  • Christ Himself is the wisdom of God; became wisdom for us (1 Cor 1:24, 30).
  • All treasures of wisdom hidden in Christ (Col 2:3).
  • Worldly wisdom = foolishness with God (1 Cor 3:19).
  • The Father gives the spirit of wisdom (Eph 1:17).
  • Wisdom’s paths are peace (Prov 3:17).

Connections

  • To Asking — ask for wisdom (James 1:5)
  • To Faith — must ask in faith without doubting (James 1:6, in context)
  • To Jesus — He IS wisdom, treasures of wisdom in Him (1 Cor 1:24, 30; Col 2:3)
  • To Holy Spirit — spirit of wisdom (Eph 1:17)
  • To Mercy — wisdom from above is “full of mercy” (James 3:17)
  • To Peace — wisdom’s paths are peace (Prov 3:17); peaceable (James 3:17)
  • To Fear of the Lord — beginning of wisdom (Prov 9:10)

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. You have promised that if any of us lacks wisdom, we may ask, and You give generously and without reproach. So we ask.

Give us the wisdom that is from above: pure, peaceable, gentle and full of mercy. Thank You that in Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.