Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak. Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, so you may know how to answer each one. (Col 4:2–6).
Today, we will briefly examine one of the four imperatives in this text walk in wisdom. Paul instructs the initial recipients of this epistle to live wisely, make the most of their time, ensure that their speech is always seasoned with grace like salt, and know how to respond to everyone.
Walk in wisdom!
One habit that I highly recommend and have practiced on and off for extended periods is beginning the day by reading from the book of Proverbs. The beauty of Proverbs is that it contains 31 chapters, which nicely aligns with each day of the month. I look at the date to determine which chapter to read. For example, on the fourth day of the month, I would read Proverbs 4.
As a believer in the truth of the Bible, I took Proverbs chapter 1 seriously. Solomon, who was noted to be one of the wisest men in the Bible despite his unfortunate end, wrote in Proverbs to impart wisdom to his son.
During a Time management Seminar I attended, the keynote speaker, the late Hiram Smith from the Franklin Institute, shared something that remained with me for many years. When asked to define wisdom, he stated it is merely knowledge applied correctly. Although this quote is not divinely inspired, it resonates with biblical truth. Interestingly, the spiritual gift of the word of knowledge and wisdom is closely placed together in the text.
In 1 Corinthians 12, when examining the gifts of the Spirit, we observe that two gifts are listed next to each other: the word of knowledge and wisdom.
And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: 8 for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, (1 Co 12:5–8).
Granted, this may be simply coincidental, but it’s interesting to note that many texts of the New Testament link knowledge or understanding with wisdom. For example:
Romans 11:33 - "Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!"
Colossians 2:2-3 - "that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge."
Based on my experience, I have observed that when I have received a genuine "word of knowledge," I have also received the “word of wisdom” on applying that divinely inspired knowledge. However, delving into the gifts of the Spirit and their operation is beyond the scope of this devotional, so I will have to defer further discussion on this topic to another time.
Moving on to the second question, if wisdom is knowledge correctly applied, the question arises: where does this wisdom come from?
Getting the right type of wisdom
The Bible teaches us about two types of wisdom. The first type is worldly wisdom based on human knowledge, understanding, and experience. This type of wisdom is often self-centred and focused on personal gain and power. But there's another type of wisdom, and that's divine wisdom. This kind of wisdom comes from God and is based on His character, principles, and truths. It's available to those who seek it with a pure heart and a humble spirit, and it's focused on God's glory and the good of others.
In the Old Testament, some verses talk about the importance of fearing the Lord, which is the beginning of wisdom. For example, Proverbs 3:7 says, "Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil." And in Isaiah 55:8-9, God declares that His ways and thoughts are higher than ours, showing the need for us to seek His wisdom instead of relying on our own limited understanding.
The New Testament also talks about the difference between the two types of wisdom. James 3:13-18, it describes worldly wisdom as characterized by jealousy, selfish ambition, and disorder. On the other hand, the wisdom that comes from God is pure, peace-loving, and considerate. James emphasizes that good deeds and humility show this wisdom. So, seeking and applying divine wisdom can lead to a more fulfilling and purposeful life!
How to get the wisdom to walk in
What does the New Testament say about acquiring divine wisdom? In the New Testament, several passages speak about how to acquire the wisdom that is from above.
In James 1:5, it says, "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you." This verse highlights the importance of asking God for wisdom. In Colossians 1:9-10, Paul prays that the Colossians would be filled with the knowledge of God's will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding. This suggests that reading and studying the Scriptures is essential in gaining wisdom. In Ephesians 5:15-17, Paul exhorts the Ephesians to be wise and not foolish, making the most of every opportunity. This passage suggests that wisdom comes through intentional living and taking advantage of God's opportunities. Finally, in 1 Corinthians 2:6-16, Paul contrasts the world’s wisdom with the wisdom of God, stating that the Holy Spirit reveals the latter. This suggests that seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit is essential for gaining wisdom.
Toward those on the outside
When Paul instructs us to exhibit wisdom towards those outside the faith, he emphasizes the importance of living intentionally to win people who still need to be part of the Christian community. This passage does not promote spiritual growth solely for personal enlightenment and salvation in a Gnostic sense. Instead, it highlights that wisdom should be directed toward those outside the faith. Godly wisdom focuses on winning souls for Christ. The Bible says, "He who wins souls is wise" in Proverbs 11:30: "The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise." This verse emphasizes the importance of evangelism and sharing the gospel with others, as it is a wise and righteous act that leads to eternal life.
Paul encourages his readers to "walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so you may know how to answer each person." In other words, he challenges them to live intentionally, using their time and words wisely. Walking in wisdom involves seeking God's guidance and living according to His principles rather than following the world’s wisdom. It means being intentional about every interaction, aiming to show love and grace to those around us. As we strive to walk in wisdom, we become more effective witnesses for Christ, able to answer those who question us with humility and grace. So let us heed Paul's call to walk in wisdom, purposefully living out our faith in a world that desperately needs it.
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