A logical place to start with a study of spiritual gifts is the book of I Corinthians. It comes after Romans, which has a list of gifts, in our modern Bibles but it was written before Romans. I already touched on healing because healing had touched on me. Now the plan is to work through the gifts in order unless one yells for attention.
Wisdom is a spiritual gift. The entire concept is the “word of wisdom.” Traditionally wisdom is associated with people who have great insight and a sense of rightness. They see more than others and can apply what they know. Wisdom is often associated with age but age does not necessarily mean wisdom.
When Paul talked about wisdom he was writing as a Jew. That means he must have had the Wisdom Literature in mind. Think of a very well known verse in Proverbs
(Proverbs 9:10 KJV) The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.The same thought is expressed in Job and Psalms. Wisdom starts in a healthy fear of the Lord.
I watch and listen to people and wonder what is wrong with them. Maybe you share this concern with me: Seemingly intelligent people who can’t seem to figure anything out. When I look at our culture the great thing I see missing from the public debates and the intellectual classes is wisdom. This is because wisdom requires a fear of God and an understanding of His ways. When so many people reject God it is no wonder that their ideas are small and inadequate. They are missing large pieces of the puzzle. I used to wonder how intelligent people could be so stupid. Easy, they lack wisdom. You can have a hundred keys on your ring, but the car won’t start if you don’t have the one you need.
The opposite of being wise is being a fool. This is also a major topic of Proverbs. We have many brilliant people who are fools. But folly is not a spiritual gift.
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