Each day, you and I make hundreds of decisions – what we say, what we do, what we do in preparation for the future, how we react to problems we experience, how we react to people we interact with, and so forth.  Some decisions are small while others are large.  Some decisions are easy to make while others are difficult.  If we make good decisions, things generally go well with us, but if we make bad decisions, we will suffer the consequences.  We say that one is wise if he makes good decisions based upon a combination of knowledge, experience and intuitive understanding.  We say that one is a fool who consistently makes bad decisions.

King Solomon is known as one of the wisest men that ever lived.  His writings are included in the Bible.  Here are some things he said about wisdom.  Ecclesiastes 1:16 “I communed with my heart, saying, ‘Look, I have attained greatness, and have gained more wisdom than all who were before me in Jerusalem. My heart has understood great wisdom and knowledge.’” Ecclesiastes 2:13-14a “Then I saw that wisdom excels folly as light excels darkness.  The wise man’s eyes are in his head, but the fool walks in darkness. ” Proverbs 3:13-18 “Happy is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding; for her proceeds are better than the profits of silver, and her gain than fine gold.  She is more precious than rubies, and all the things you may desire cannot compare with her.  Length of days is in her right hand, in her left hand riches and honor.  Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.  She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, and happy are all who retain her.” Proverbs 3:21-24 “My son, let them not depart from your eyes — keep sound wisdom and discretion; so they will be life to your soul and grace to your neck.  Then you will walk safely in your way, and your foot will not stumble.  When you lie down, you will not be afraid; yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet.” Proverbs 4:5-9 “Get wisdom! Get understanding! Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth.  Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you; love her, and she will keep you.  Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.  Exalt her, and she will promote you; she will bring you honor, when you embrace her.  She will place on your head an ornament of grace; a crown of glory she will deliver to you.” Proverbs 8:11-12 “For wisdom is better than rubies, and all the things one may desire cannot be compared with her.  ‘I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge and discretion.’” Proverbs 16:16 “How much better to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.”  The book of Proverbs contains many wise sayings from Solomon.

God is wise.  His wisdom far exceeds the wisdom of anyone else.  1 Timothy 1:17 “Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.”  The commands and principles of God lead us to wise living.  Violation of God’s commands and principles leads to bad consequences and a foolish way of living.  Jesus said in Matthew 7:24-27 “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock:  and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.  But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand:  and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.”  Keeping the commands and principles of God is building your life upon a firm foundation so that you can withstand all the troubles and trials of life.  This is true wisdom.  The apostle Paul wrote to Timothy in 2 Timothy 3:14-17 “But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”  I encourage you to read and study the Bible and follow its instruction so that you may be wise.  

James describes the difference between demonic wisdom and Godly wisdom.  James 3:13-18 “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom.  But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth.  This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic.  For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.  But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.”

I encourage you to be wise in how you live.  Ephesians 5:15-17 “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.  Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”  If you desire to be wise, read and study the Bible.  You can also ask God for wisdom.  James 1:5 “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.”