Wisdom for Decision Making

MEMORY SELECTION: “Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.” —Proverbs 3:13

SELECTED SCRIPTURE: I Kings 3:3-14

TRUE wisdom comes only from the Lord. The wisdom of men is faulty and imperfect because men are imperfect and their wisdom deals with transitory things, whereas the wisdom of God deals with things eternal. The Apostle Paul, in, Ephesians 1:6-9, states: “He hath made us accepted in the Beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself.” Then he continues, in verse 17, praying “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.”

In the first part of this text the apostle states that God “hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence.” Then in verse 9 he identifies this wisdom and prudence: it is that he has made known to us the mystery of his will. The word mystery is a translation of the Greek word musterion, which means “known only to the initiated.” This implies that the number who receive this wisdom which is from above is limited. And, in verse 17, the apostle tells us that true wisdom comes from knowing God.

The Lord himself tells us through the Prophet Jeremiah what is the basis of all true wisdom. “Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: but let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord.”—Jer. 9:23,24

Having knowledge of God is in itself a gift from God, because a knowledge of him results from the Holy Spirit operating upon our minds. In I Corinthians 2:7,12, we read: “But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory. … Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.”

It is only through revealed knowledge of the Heavenly Father and of his plans and purposes that we have a basis for exercising wisdom. Adam, in the Garden of Eden, was perfect, made in the mental and moral image of God. Adam knew the Heavenly Father and had communion with him. He was in harmony with the eternal purposes of God. Because of this relationship with and his knowledge of God, he was capable of exercising wisdom and of making proper decisions. As far as Adam was concerned, the only decisions that were important had to do with those things that were in harmony with God’s will. To Adam this was a matter of life or death. He was capable, and God held him responsible.

Adam, of course, made the wrong decision, and because of it, he was condemned to death; and not only he, but all his progeny are imperfect and estranged from God. Jesus was the first human being since Adam who was capable of making proper decisions. God tried and proved him, and because of his faithfulness he was exalted to the right hand of the throne of God.—Phil. 2:6-11; Heb. 5:8,9

The church, during the Gospel Age, because of the enlightenment of their minds by the Holy Spirit, are privileged to know God and appreciate his laws and arrangements; and therefore they are responsible and are judged according to the decisions they make.—Heb. 6:4-9; 10:26-29; I Pet. 4:17

The world of mankind, in the next age, will for the first time be capable of making proper decisions; and because of this, the thousand years of Christ’s kingdom will be their day of judgment. Judgment will be possible because Satan will be bound so that he can deceive the nations no more. And all the mass of lies and confusion will be cleared away, and in its place will be the knowledge of the Lord, which will cover the earth as the waters cover the sea.—Acts 3:19-24; Isa. 25:6-10; Jer. 31:33,34; Acts 17:31

| Home Page | Table of Contents |