How Can I Grow in Wisdom?

The Bible teaches us that we live in a world of mutually exclusive things, among which are wisdom and folly. These two represent contrasting paths that shape the lives of individuals. Wisdom is associated with the path of life and folly with the way of death.

Wisdom is often defined as practical knowledge or the skillful application of knowledge. As Christians, we need to take this a step further by remembering the words of Solomon: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge” (Prov. 1:7). Biblically, wisdom applies the knowledge of God to life, or to express it another way, wisdom is the skill of godly living.

That skill is needed in every area of life. We are to have wisdom in our words, relationships, households, vocations, emotions, sexuality, leadership, citizenship, plans, and management and use of resources. There is nothing in our day-to-day routine that does not need wisdom, because our aim is to live skillfully in all things for the honor and glory of God.

But how can we grow in wisdom? Maybe it is helpful to think about how we grow in any skill. When we want to learn to do something well, it takes intentional effort, instruction, and implementation. Growing in the skill of wisdom is no different.

Intentional Effort

The skill of wisdom is both something we ask for and something we seek. Ultimately, wisdom is a benefit given to us in Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul says that hidden in Jesus are “all treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Col. 2:3). Our Lord possesses that wisdom for the sake of His elect, as Paul says elsewhere, He “became to us wisdom from God” (1 Cor. 1:30). Adopted into the family of God, we have been promised wisdom in Jesus that gives us confidence to ask and assurance that our generous God will give (James 1:5). But the giving of wisdom is not disconnected from means.

The Bible also teaches that growth in wisdom comes through intentional effort. Wisdom is not an innate trait, nor does it come automatically with age. Again, the wise king directs that we must pursue it:

If you seek it like silver
and search for it as for hidden treasures,
then you will understand the fear of the Lord
and find the knowledge of God. (Prov. 2:4–5)

We grow in wisdom by asking and seeking: “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek and you will find” (Matt. 7:7).

Instructed by God

Growing in a skill set also requires instruction, and so it is with wisdom. We learn about wisdom from God’s Word and world. The Bible says,

For the Lord gives wisdom;
from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. (Prov. 2:6)

Instruction from the Scriptures comes in many ways, but the Bible consistently emphasizes the value of parents instructing their children in wisdom. This is clearly modeled by Solomon, as the first part of Proverbs takes the form of a father instructing his son. He says:

Hear, O sons, a father’s instruction,
and be attentive, that you may gain insight,
for I give you good precepts;
do not forsake my teaching.
When I was a son with my father,
tender, the only one in the sight of my mother,
he taught me and said to me,
“Let your heart hold fast my words.” (Prov. 4:1–4).

We are also encouraged by the example of Timothy, who from childhood knew the Scriptures that were able to make him wise for salvation (2 Tim. 3:15). There is good reason to think that he had been attentive to the instruction of his mother and grandmother as they taught him that wisdom (see 2 Tim. 1:5).

Creation is also a book that can instruct us about the wisdom of God. This is because Wisdom had a part in creation and so Wisdom’s thumbprint is everywhere (Prov. 8:22–31). Memorably, the words of Agur near the end of Proverbs say,

Four things on earth are small,
but they are exceedingly wise. (Prov. 30:24–28)

He goes on to name the wisdom of the ant, badger, locust, and lizard. Even the small and insignificant parts of creation instruct us in principles for skilled and godly living.

Implementing Wisdom

No skill is attained or strengthened unless we are committed to doing it. Solomon said,

My son, do not forget my teaching,
but let your heart keep my commandments. (Prov. 3:1)

This is why wisdom and folly are likened to a pathway—the whole point of a road is to set your feet upon it and walk. If we want to grow in wisdom, we must practice wisdom, being not only hearers but doers of it. As we do, we may move forward slowly, but our growth is promised:

The path of the righteous is like the light of dawn,
which shines brighter and brighter until full day.
The way of the wicked is like deep darkness;
they do not know over what they stumble. (Prov. 4:18–19)

Growing in wisdom is not dissimilar to learning and growing in any skill. In a very ordinary way, we pursue it with intentional effort, receive continual instruction from the Word and creation, and put into practice its precepts, living with skillful godliness until, by the grace of Jesus, we are made perfect in the world to come.