Seek Wisdom

Seek Wisdom

“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. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.” Jas. 1:5-8.

How can we know whether we lack wisdom? In the introduction to Proverbs, Chapter 1 [in the Norwegian Bible] there is this line: “Solomon’s proverbs were written for the purpose of leading to wisdom.” The header of Skjulte Skatter [Hidden Treasures] also describes the way to wisdom. Prov. 2:1-6.

By paying close attention to what you think, speak, and do, and listening carefully to what the Spirit says, and being by watchful and attentive when reading the Word, you will realize that you lack wisdom. Then you must pray to God in faith, with no doubting. How do you know whether you doubt when you pray? You doubt if you continue to act and live as you did before; for God’s wisdom transforms a person and his works, and by hearing what the Spirit teaches, you will acknowledge your own folly. This is the beginning of wisdom.

When you pray to God for wisdom, believing, it will be given to you. What does God do then? He lets you see yourself: your self-love, your pride, your demands on others, the Pharisee in you, and much more! What do you do then? Acknowledge it and repent! Then you receive the love of Christ: you keep His commandments; you become humble; you no longer make demands on others but sacrifice yourself; you no longer think that you are better than the others, but you find a lowly place.

The spirit of wisdom has come to you, and it is of the utmost importance that you understand to appreciate it. The wise man says in Wisdom of Solomon [Apocrypha], Chapter 7:6-10 that he “preferred her [wisdom] before scepters and thrones, and esteemed riches nothing in comparison of her . . . I loved her above health and beauty . . . .” Wisdom is perfection. She is the mother of fair love (Sir. 24:18), and she has many other “children” besides love.

In Revelation, Chapter 4, we read about life in heaven: how the living creatures and the elders exalt and praise God, and how the four creatures do not rest day or night, saying, “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!” God and His works are exalted and praised without ceasing. We can understand that this is where wisdom leads us to.

“Exalt her [wisdom], and she will promote you; she will bring you honor, when you embrace her.” Prov. 4:8.

Based on the above scripture, we understand Matthew 23:12 much better. Now there has to be an end of every bit of stinking, oozing, foul-smelling conceit and self-exaltation, that which has caused only corruption and destruction. Soon we will meet Jesus; we must learn heavenly, beautiful airs, habits, and customs now, so we do not feel insecure any longer but praise God for the election instead. When we notice that we cannot be in complete agreement with what is preached to us, and that we cannot follow along with it, it is because of a lack of the knowledge of God.

Let us consider the Jews who are migrating to Palestine and the tremendous zeal and urge to succeed that possesses them. They will receive what God has promised them. They work, they build, they plant, and they wage war—all in the belief that now they will succeed.

Think of yourself and the eagerness you display in order to further the great work that it pleases the Lord to accomplish in the church. Perhaps it would increase the speed of some by being reminded of the word: “Cursed is he who does the work of the Lord lazily.” Jer. 48:10.

The characteristic of wisdom is that she does all things right.