Necessity of Divine Wisdom in Christian Decision Making
The Necessity of Divine Wisdom in Christian Decision Making
The concept of divine wisdom is deeply rooted in biblical teachings, emphasizing its necessity in Christian decision-making. According to Proverbs 9:10, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom" [8]. This foundational principle underscores the importance of revering God as the source of all wisdom.
The biblical account attributes divine wisdom to God Himself, describing it as perfect, mighty, universal, infinite, unsearchable, and wonderful [4]. In Daniel 4:17, it is written that the Most High rules over the kingdom of mankind, giving it to whom He wishes [1]. This sovereignty highlights the need for Christians to seek divine guidance in their decisions.
In the New Testament, the apostle Paul writes about the "wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God had determined before the world, unto our glory" (1 Corinthians 2:7) [2]. This divine wisdom is contrasted with human wisdom, as Paul notes that "God chose the foolish things of the world that he might put to shame those who are wise" (1 Corinthians 1:27) [3]. This paradoxical approach to wisdom emphasizes the need to look beyond human understanding and seek divine guidance.
The Reformed tradition, as represented by Calvin, emphasizes the importance of knowing the divine will in making decisions. Calvin comments on Philippians, highlighting the need for knowledge of God's will, which is to be sought in His word, not in human speculations [9]. This perspective is echoed in the writings of other Reformed scholars, such as John Gill, who notes that hearing counsel and receiving instruction from Christ, the Wisdom of God, is essential for being wise in one's latter end [11].
The biblical wisdom literature, particularly Proverbs, stresses the importance of seeking divine wisdom in daily life. Matthew Henry comments on Proverbs 8:12, identifying wisdom with Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge [10]. This Christocentric understanding of wisdom underscores the necessity of a personal relationship with Christ in making wise decisions.
In Christian decision-making, the pursuit of divine wisdom involves seeking God's guidance through prayer, scripture, and a deepening relationship with Him. As Jamieson, Fausset & Brown note on Job 8:5, seeking God "betimes" or early is crucial, making it the first and chief anxiety [5]. This proactive approach to seeking divine wisdom is echoed in Psalm 65:8, where it is written that people should stand in awe of the Lord [6].
The necessity of divine wisdom in Christian decision-making is further underscored by the biblical warnings against relying on human wisdom or fleshly understanding. According to Tyndale House on Proverbs 15:16, a healthy fear for the Lord counteracts inner turmoil and brings inner peace [7]. This fear is not about being afraid but about revering God's sovereignty and wisdom.
Sources
- Daniel “Daniel 4:17 (BSB) — This decision is the decree of the watchers, the verdict declared by the holy ones, so that the living will know that the Most High rules over the kingdom of mankind and gives it to whom He wishes, setting over it the lowliest of men.’”
- I Corinthians “I Corinthians 2:7 (Geneva1599) — But we speake the wisedome of God in a mysterie, euen the hid wisedom, which God had determined before the world, vnto our glory.”
- 1 Corinthians “but God chose the foolish things of the world that he might put to shame those who are wise. God chose the weak things of the world, that he might put to shame the things that are strong; -- 1 Corinthians 1:27”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Wisdom of God, The — Is one of his attributes -- 1Sa 2:3; Job 9:4. Described as Perfect. -- Job 36:4; 37:16. Mighty. -- Job 36:5. Universal. -- Job 28:24; Da 2:22; Ac 15:18. Infinite. -- Ps 147:5; Ro 11:33. Unsearchable. -- Isa 40:28; Ro 11:33. Wonderful. -- Ps 139:6. Beyond human comprehension. -- Ps 139:6. Incomparable. -- Isa 44:7; Jer 10:7. Underived. -- Job 21:22; Isa 40:14. The gospel contains treasures of -- 1Co 2:7. Wisdom of saints is derived from -- Ezr 7:25. All human wisdom derived from -- Da 2:1. Saints ascribe to him -- Da 2:20. Exhibited in His works. ”
- 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).”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 65:8: 65:8 All over the world (Job 38:13; see Ps 50:1-3), people should stand in awe of the Lord.”
- Proverbs (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Proverbs 15:16: 15:16 A healthy fear for the Lord counteracts inner turmoil and brings inner peace. • Better to have little: See also 16:8.”
- Proverbs (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Proverbs 9:10: 9:10-12 Fear of the Lord: See study note on 1:7.”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Philippians, Colossians, 1-2 Thessalonians, section 25.2: be a hinderance in the way of their cheerfully making progress, and allowing what had been begun in them to receive an additional polish. But what knowledge does he desire in their behalf? The knowledge of the divine will , by which expression he sets aside all inventions of men, and all speculations that are at variance with the word of God. For his will is not to be sought anywhere else than in his word. He adds — in all wisdom; by which he intimates that the will of God, of which he had made mention, was the onl”
- Proverbs (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Proverbs 8:12: Wisdom here is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge; it is Christ in the word and Christ in the heart, not only Christ revealed to us, but Christ revealed in us. It is the word of God, the whole compass of divine revelation; it is God the Word, in whom all divine revelation centres; it is the soul formed by the word; it is Christ formed in the soul; it is religion in the purity and power of it. Glorious things are here spoken of this excellent person, this excellent thing. I. Divine wisdom gives men good heads (Pro 8:12): I Wisdom”
- Proverbs (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Proverbs 19:20: Hear counsel, and receive instruction,.... Of parents, masters, and ministers; especially the counsel and instruction of Wisdom, of Jesus Christ, the Wisdom of God, the wonderful Counsellor; and of his Gospel and of the Scriptures, which are able to make a man wise unto salvation; that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end; in the latter end of life, at death; that then it may appear a man has been so wise as to be concerned for a future state, for the good of his soul in another world; by listening to the counsel and instruction of Christ, in his word; by lookin”