In his audio teaching on the book of Proverbs, the redoubtable Old Testament scholar Dr. Bruce Waltke offered definitions for knowledge and wisdom. Knowledge is "an understanding of how God’s universe works" and wisdom is "the skill to apply knowledge to live well in God’s universe."
If we concede that wisdom is requisite in every area of life and believe that mankind’s base nature is biased to sin against God, then how is wisdom acquired? In a fallen state, mankind is not inclined to seek wisdom from God, as defined above; rather, mankind seeks to define its own wisdom, that is, a pseudo wisdom.
In James 3:13–18, the wisdom of man is contrasted with the wisdom of God. According to this text, man’s attempts to acquire wisdom independent of God lead to “confusion and every evil thing.” Obviously, the wisdom from God leads to the opposite.
In the first chapter of James, the writer elucidates how mankind gains wisdom from God (see the above text). Specifically, we are told—in fact, commanded—to ask God for wisdom, which means seeking divine wisdom to solve the problems of life.
There are three imperatives in the above text, the second and third each building on the previous one.
- The first imperative is to ask God for wisdom.
- The second imperative qualifies the first, that is, we are charged to “ask in faith.” In other words, one must ask believing that God will give wisdom.
- The third imperative reinforces the second by warning against doubting God’s goodness in responding to our prayer for wisdom.
The synthesis of these three imperatives is the command to humbly seek God in faith (without doubting God's goodness) when one needs wisdom for anything.
The context preceding James 1:5–8 is an imperative regarding how to view trials and tribulations. The implication is that mankind needs divine wisdom to properly view and respond to the issues of life. God graciously promises to provide his wisdom if we come to him in unwavering humble faith.
Here is your business tip. Wisdom from God is required to properly understand and respond to the consequences of sin that impair mankind’s ability to obey God's calling both individually and organizationally. Therefore, for both individuals and organizations to deliver products and services with excellence, divine wisdom is an imperative. Consequently, it is essential that every worker in the organization be humble before God and seek, with unwavering faith, divine wisdom to solve problems that impede the organization’s efforts to deliver excellent value. One role of management is to model this faith through humble submission to the divine imperative by seeking God’s wisdom to properly address problems. Management should then train every stakeholder in the organization in how to develop a steadfast, humble, submitted, teachable, and prayerful spirit of faith before God that will facilitate the requisite wisdom to deliver excellent value to those the organization serves.
.png)