True Wisdom

Yet wisdom is vindicated (shown to be true and divine) by all her children [by their life, character, and deeds] (Luke 7:35 AMPC).

True wisdom is the manifestation or revelation of the rightness of God in your spirit; it’s a guiding force that causes you to act, respond, or speak beyond natural human reasoning. It’s also the expression of the power of God in thoughts, plans, purpose, and decision-making. When the wisdom of God functions in you, it becomes the power that influences your choices in life. That’s why it’s a guiding force.

Wisdom propels you in the right direction in life and positions you in the place of advantage. For example, Genesis 39 tells the story of Joseph, who was sold into slavery in Egypt by his brothers. Nevertheless, the Bible says he found grace in the sight of Potiphar, his master, and served him: “…and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand” (Genesis 39:4).

In the course of time, Joseph was imprisoned because his master’s wife falsely accused him, but wisdom promoted Joseph, and gave him the advantage, such that even while in prison, he became the head of the prisoners.

Joseph’s story is a very inspiring one.

Notice Pharaoh’s remarks to his servants as a result of the wisdom he saw and heard in Joseph: “...Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is? And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, For as much as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art: Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou…See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt” (Genesis 41:38-41).

The Egyptian Empire was preserved by the wisdom of God revealed in the thirty-year-old Hebrew prisoner, Joseph.

Wisdom promoted him from being a prisoner to becoming the Prime Minister of the most powerful empire overnight.

No wonder we’re admonished in the Word to celebrate and exalt wisdom (Proverbs 4:8). When you do, wisdom will promote you and propel you in the path of honour and greatness.

The word translated ”wisdom” above is the Hebrew ”Phronesis,” and it’s a force that controls you. It’s a spiritual elixir that locates you within the framework of God’s will, beyond your natural understanding, causing you to do God’s things God’s way, in God’s time for God’s purpose! It’s also a mindset; an excellent mindset that causes you to think in a certain way and to say the right things in the right way at the right time for the right purpose in the right place.

This was the wisdom Solomon received from the Lord that caused him to excel in good judgment, so much so that the Bible says,”… there came of all people to hear the wisdom of Solomon, from all kings of the earth, which had heard of his wisdom....” (1 Kings 4:34). God gave Solomon an extraordinary amplitude of comprehension; he had practical wisdom. ”Phronesis” propels you to make accurate choices, sound judgments and decisions, and to do things right the first time. You can develop ”Phronesis” through studying and meditating on the Word of God and through praying in the Holy Ghost – speaking in tongues.”

Oh, but I thought the Word says Christ has been made unto us wisdom from God?” you might ask. Yes. But that wisdom is ”Sophia” (Greek), which means theoretical wisdom, or insight into reality; it means all the collective understanding of all things. There’s also a third kind of wisdom called” sunesis”; this is critical wisdom; the ability to understand concepts and see relationships between them. It suggests a quickness of apprehension; the penetrating consideration which precedes actions.

Whereas ”Phronesis” is practical wisdom; it’s a force that makes you do and say the right things before you even think. God gives you ”Sophia” – insight into reality, so that you can have ”sunesis” – an understanding, for the purpose of developing in you ”Phronesis”; a mindset for a successful and extraordinary life

The Greek word sunesis is used in a vast array of writings to describe understanding. It’s a portmanteau of two words: “sun” (meaning to be gathered together with [someone]) and “nesis” (which is a collection of anything). So together the word means to be gathered together collectively unto a personality. The word “sun” is usually associated with a personality whenever it is used in Greek writings. So if the word “understanding” is examined in this setting, it means a compilation unto a personality…how is that so? Who is this Personality?

The Bible says that we have the Mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16).

He is the ultimate image of the man we are in God. So pure wisdom and understanding is therefore embodied in Him because in Him dwells the fullness of the Godhead (Colossians 2:9). Therefore, true understanding is in having the Mind of Christ. Having the Mind of Christ is not like purchasing a microchip and inserting it into a device, expecting the device to do or become what is programmed on the chip. That cannot work.

There has to be a relationship with the Personality, a living and constant fellowship (koinonia) to sync our minds with the Mind of Christ.

Wisdom is more than just a force or an abstract theory. Wisdom is Christ, and having the Mind of Christ is how we acquire understanding and rhema with all the wisdom we get in the logos (The Word). So fellowship and a personal relationship with Christ, through the Holy Spirit who is here with us now, is the pathway to living in real wisdom and understanding.

Many people have great ideas, be it about their jobs, finances, business, ministry or career; but sadly, not many are able to fulfil or bring those ideas to fruition. Yes, they have this very inspiring idea of what they’d do or could do, but they procrastinate; before long, discouraging thoughts and seeming “valid reasons” not to act will come up, until the inspiration wanes and the dream dies.

Success comes from “doing”; that is, acting, not from seeing only. That’s why we have lots of people with great ideas—in business, politics or ministry— whose ideas never amounted to a hill of beans; they never took action. In fact, if you’d listen to them speak, you’d be awed at their lofty ideas, but they lack the drive and motivation to act.

If the foregoing describes you, the solution is simple: you need to meditate on the Word. God’s Word is a propelling force.

That’s why beyond “sophia” and “sunesis” which are two different kinds of wisdom (remember, the Word of God is the wisdom of God), you must walk in “phronesis”; (these are three kinds of wisdom in the Greek New Testament).

“Sophia” is theoretical wisdom and insight into reality; it’s the collective understanding of things. “Sunesis” is critical wisdom; that is, mental or analytical knowledge; the ability to understand concepts and see relationships between them. But “Phronesis” is practical wisdom; it’s a force that makes you do and say the right things before you even think.

Therefore, if you’re in this situation of “conceptualizing” and not “acting,” begin to have daily sessions of meditating on the Word. Begin with Philippians 2:13; several times every day, you say out loud, “For it is God who works in me, both to will and to do of His good pleasure. He’s effectively at work in me, strengthening and energizing me, not just to think or know what to do, but to actually do them.”

Practice this long enough and you’ll never have dreams or goals that didn’t materialize.

“Doing” people are successful people because many people see but they don’t act! But when you see and act, it sets you apart for greatness. So, by the Spirit, go all out to pursue your dream and achieve your goals henceforth.

-GSW-