Importance of Seeking Wisdom and Discernment in Christian Life
The Importance of Seeking Wisdom and Discernment in Christian Life
The biblical book of Ecclesiastes emphasizes the importance of seeking wisdom and discernment in the Christian life. The author of Ecclesiastes writes, "I turned around, and my heart sought to know and to search out, and to seek wisdom and the scheme of things" [1]. This pursuit of wisdom is not merely an intellectual exercise but a deeply spiritual one, aimed at understanding the nature of reality and living a life that is pleasing to God.
The concept of wisdom in the biblical tradition is closely tied to the fear of the Lord. According to Proverbs, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge" [6]. This fear is not a cringing terror but a reverent awe that recognizes God's sovereignty and majesty. It is the foundation upon which wisdom is built, and it guides the Christian in making decisions that are in line with God's will.
Seeking wisdom and discernment requires diligence and a willingness to learn. Torrey's Topical Textbook highlights the importance of diligence in seeking God, obeying Him, and cultivating Christian graces [2]. This diligence is not limited to personal devotion but extends to all areas of life, including relationships and decision-making. The Christian is called to be prudent, to "look well to their goings" and "understand the ways of God" [4].
The pursuit of wisdom is also closely tied to the concept of meekness. Meekness is not weakness but a willingness to learn and be guided by God. According to Torrey's Topical Textbook, meekness is a fruit of the Spirit and is essential for receiving the word of God and exhibiting Christian character [3]. It involves a humility that recognizes one's limitations and a willingness to be taught by God.
In the Christian tradition, seeking wisdom and discernment is not limited to individual pursuits. The community of faith plays a crucial role in guiding believers in their pursuit of wisdom. The apostle Paul prays for the Colossian believers that they may be "filled with the knowledge of his will, in all wisdom and spiritual understanding" [9]. This knowledge is not merely intellectual but is deeply practical, guiding the believer in living a life that is pleasing to God.
The importance of seeking wisdom and discernment is also emphasized in the context of facing challenges and uncertainties. In times of fear and uncertainty, the Christian is called to "fear not" but to trust in God's sovereignty and provision. According to Isaiah, "Sanctify the Lord... and let him be your fear" [7]. This fear of the Lord is a counterbalance to the fear of man and is essential for living a life that is characterized by faith and trust.
The biblical emphasis on seeking wisdom and discernment is not limited to any one tradition or denomination. Across various Christian traditions, including Presbyterian, Methodist/Wesleyan, Baptist/Reformed, and Nonconformist/Puritan, there is a shared recognition of the importance of seeking wisdom and discernment in the Christian life [5, 8, 9, 10]. This shared recognition is rooted in a common biblical heritage and a shared commitment to following Jesus Christ.
Sources
- Ecclesiastes “I turned around, and my heart sought to know and to search out, and to seek wisdom and the scheme of things, and to know that wickedness is stupidity, and that foolishness is madness. -- Ecclesiastes 7:25”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Diligence — Christ, an example -- Mr 1:35; Lu 2:49. Required by God in Seeking him. -- 1Ch 22:19; Heb 11:6. Obeying him. -- De 6:17; 11:13. Hearkening to him. -- Isa 55:2. Striving after perfection. -- Php 3:13,14. Cultivating Christian graces. -- 2Pe 1:5. Keeping the souls. -- De 4:9. Keeping the heart. -- Pr 4:23. Labours of love. -- Heb 6:10-12. Following every good work. -- 1Ti 5:10. Guarding against defilement. -- Heb 12:15. Seeking to be found spotless. -- 2Pe 3:14. Making our call, &c, sure. -- 2Pe 1:10. Self-examination. -- Ps 77:6. Lawful business. -- Pr 27:”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Meekness — Christ set an example of -- Ps 45:4; Isa 53:7; Mt 11:29; 21:5; 2Co 10:1; 1Pe 2:21-23. His teaching -- Mt 5:38-45. A fruit of the Spirit -- Ga 5:22,23. Saints should Seek. -- Zep 2:3. Put on. -- Col 3:12-13. Receive the word of God with. -- Jas 1:21. Exhibit, in conduct, &c. -- Jas 3:13. Answer for their hope with. -- 1Pe 3:15. Show to all men. -- Tit 3:2. Restore the erring with. -- Ga 6:1. Precious in the sight of God -- 1Pe 3:4. Ministers should Follow after. -- 1Ti 6:11. Instruct opposers with. -- 2Ti 2:24,25. Urge, on their people. -- Tit 3:1,2. A char”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Prudence — Exhibited in the manifestation of God's grace -- Eph 1:8. Exemplified by Christ -- Isa 52:13; Mt 21:24-27; 22:15-21. Intimately connected with wisdom -- Pr 8:12. The wise celebrated for -- Pr 16:21. They who have Get knowledge. -- Pr 18:15. Deal with knowledge. -- Pr 13:16. Look well to their goings. -- Pr 14:15. Understand the ways of God. -- Ho 14:9. Understand their own ways. -- Pr 14:8. Crowned with knowledge. -- Pr 14:18. Not ostentatious of knowledge. -- Pr 12:23. Foresee and avoid evil. -- Pr 22:3. Are preserved by it. -- Pr 2:11. Suppress angry fee”
- Job (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Job 8:5: seek unto God betimes--early. Make it the first and chief anxiety (Psa 78:34; Hos 5:15; Isa 26:9; Pro 8:17; Pro 13:24).”
- Proverbs (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Proverbs 9:10: 9:10-12 Fear of the Lord: See study note on 1:7.”
- Isaiah (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Isaiah 8:13: Sanctify--Honor His holy name by regarding Him as your only hope of safety (Isa 29:23; Num 20:12). him . . . fear--"fear" lest you provoke His wrath by your fear of man and distrust of Him.”
- Ecclesiastes (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Ecclesiastes 7:25: I applied mine heart to know, and to search, and to seek out wisdom,.... Or, "I and my heart turned about" (h); took a circuit, a tour throughout the whole compass of things; looked into every corner, and went through the circle of knowledge, in order to search and find out what true wisdom is; which is no other than Christ, and a spiritual knowledge of him; a variety of words is used to express his eager desire after wisdom, and the diligent search he made, from which he was not discouraged by the difficulties he met with; see Ecc 1:13; and the reason of thin”
- Colossians (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Colossians 1:9: The apostle proceeds in these verses to pray for them. He heard that they were good, and he prayed that they might be better. He was constant in this prayer: We do not cease to pray for you. It may be he could hear of them but seldom, but he constantly prayed for them. - And desire that you may be filled with the knowledge, etc. Observe what it is that he begs of God for them, I. That they might be knowing intelligent Christians: filled with the knowledge of his will, in all wisdom and spiritual understanding. Observe, 1. The knowledge of our duty is the best k”
- Ephesians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Ephesians 1:8: Wherein he hath abounded - That is, in the dispensation of mercy and goodness by Christ Jesus. In all wisdom and prudence - Giving us apostles the most complete instructions in heavenly things by the inspiration of his Spirit; and at the same time prudence, that we might know when and where to preach the Gospel so that it might be effectual to the salvation of those who heard it. Nothing less than the Spirit of God could teach the apostles that wisdom by which they were to instruct a dark and sinful world; and nothing less than the same Spirit could inspire them w”