And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.
Luke 2:52
We see in the bible that Jesus had much wisdom, stature (maturity) and favour with God. Here in Luke 2:52 we see that however much He had, He continued to increase in it.
Wisdom leads to increase in stature, and in favour with God and man.
Age is not an indication of maturity. Wisdom is the mark of maturity.
Throughout the bible, wisdom is contrasted with foolishness. Whereas wisdom is something we need to grow in and is the mark of maturity, foolishness is the mark of immaturity and every child is born with it.
Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.
Proverbs 22:15
The immature child has foolishness bound in their heart. We see many adults still with foolishness bound in their hearts that was never driven out. Foolishness must be driven with the rod of correction and reproof.
A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool’s back.
Proverbs 26:13
In the lips of him that hath understanding wisdom is found: but a rod is for the back of him that is void of understanding.
Proverbs 10:13
The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.
Proverbs 29:15
Children do not have to be taught foolishness. A child cannot be left to themselves. If they are not corrected, they are destined for hell.
Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die. Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell.
Proverbs 23:13-14
He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.
Proverbs 13:24
Parents that do no correct their children are self centered and love themselves more than their children, not caring that they are bound in foolishness. Parents that love their children will correct them and train them in the way they should go (See Prov 22:6).
What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness?
I Corinthians 4:21
It is up to us how we are to be corrected. If we respond to God’s words and loving correction, then we can avoid the school of hard knocks and consequences of foolishness. If we do not listen to God’s words presented to us in love and the spirit of meekness, then all that is left is the rod. Will you receive reproof and correction of God’s words?
We drive out foolishness with the rod of God’s words and replace it with His wisdom.
Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom:
Proverbs 4:7
and with all thy getting get understanding.
Wisdom starts with the “getting of wisdom”. So it is the first and most important thing to do is to GET Godly wisdom (as opposed to man’s wisdom). Also, be sure to pair up wisdom with understanding. (Wisdom is application of knowledge in the right way [skill in applying knowledge], understanding is application of wisdom in the right way [skill in dealing with difficult situations and people]).
So… how can we recognize Godly wisdom?
Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.
James 3:13
You can recognized a wise man endued with knowledge by his meek and wise conduct.
To understand wisdom, examine the opposite of wisdom: foolishness. The characteristics of foolishness that must be driven out are described in James 3.
But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
James 3:14-16
Bitterness, envying, strife, lying against the truth (to yourself and others), earthliness (fleshly and not spiritual), and sensuality (led by emotionality, out of control) keeps a foolishness bound up in the heart of a person and builds a nest for devils and a makes the fool a slave to every evil work.
Bitterness is not wisdom. It is not wise to be bitter. If you want to know how to get wisdom, get rid of the bitterness. Bitterness keeps you bound up in foolishness and causes you to act foolish. Bitterness is used by the fool as an excuse for bad behavior.
Envying, selfishness, coveting something that is not rightly yours, is not wisdom. It is not wise to be selfish. If you want to get wisdom, get rid of selfishness. Selfishness must be driven out with the rod of correction. Selfishness keeps you bound up in foolishness and causes you to act foolish.
Wisdom is not prideful, arrogant, self promoting, self seeking at the expense of others, or hateful. Wisdom prefers others in love, treats others with kindness and gentleness, ideally a “win-win”, seeks and follows peace, lets others praise them (Prov 27:2).
Wisdom does not lie against the truth (lie in defiance of the truth). Fools fall for lies and love darkness. Fools behave foolishly when they live a lie. The wise love truth and love the light. Wisdom seeks the truth and exposes lies.
Wisdom does not cause disorder, unrest, rebellion, mixture, inconsistency, and confusion. Wisdom seeks peace, decency, and order.
Wisdom does not participate in or strengthen the hand of evil and morally degrading practices. Wisdom seeks righteousness.
But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.
James 3:17-18
