May 13 2021
Today, Thursday May 13
“Spiritual Wisdom and Understanding” Colossians 1:9 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,
This prayer of the Apostle Paul for the saints at Colossae can be used as a model prayer to teach us both how to pray and what to pray for, not only for ourselves but for others in our lives! Today we want to focus on what it means to “be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding.”
What is “all spiritual wisdom”? I believe James gives us a pretty good description in James 3:17, “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.” He is contrasting spiritual, heavenly wisdom with the wisdom of this world. Look at the consequences of the wisdom of this world which he calls earthly, sensual and demonic. “But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.” (James 3:14-16) Which would you rather have?
Spiritual wisdom means that I am able to view and assess the circumstances, culture, issues, problems and situations in the world around me from God’s perspective. This is so important because how I see things will determine how I respond to them. I can’t help what happens to me or change the world around me in most circumstances, but I can choose how I respond to them.
Solomon encouraged us to seek God’s wisdom with these words, “Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.” (Proverbs 4:7) This wisdom from God is available to everyone who will seek for it in God’s Word and prayer. James said, “If you lack wisdom ask God and He will give it to you, if you ask in faith.” (James 1:5)
Wisdom is looking at life’s circumstances from God’s perspective. Understanding is the ability to apply that wisdom to the issues at hand! And how do you do that? “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)
God bless!