Two Very Important Virtues
Wisdom and understanding are mentioned throughout the Bible as two virtues that are held in high regard. Here are a few verses:
Proverbs 3:13
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.
Proverbs 16:16
How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!
Proverbs 19:8
He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth understanding shall find good.
A person who gets wisdom and understanding will find happiness and enjoyment in life, and they are more precious than silver and gold. The heavens and earth were even created by God with wisdom and understanding.
Proverbs 3:19
The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens.
Jeremiah 51:15
He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heaven by his understanding.
The Bible tells us to get wisdom and understanding in the following verses:
Proverbs 7:4
Say unto wisdom, Thou art my sister; and call understanding thy kinswoman:
Proverbs 4:5-9 says:
5 Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.
6 Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee. 7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.
8 Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her.
9 She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee.
What are Wisdom and Understanding?
According to Dictionary.com:
Wise: is having the power of discerning and judging properly as to what is true or right; possessing discernment, judgment, or discretion.
Wisdom: is the quality or state of being wise; knowledge of what is true or right coupled with just judgment as to action; sagacity, discernment, or insight.
Understanding: is the mental process of a person who comprehends; comprehension; personal interpretation; intellectual faculties; intelligence; mind; superior power of discernment; enlightened intelligence; knowledge of or familiarity with a particular thing; skill in dealing with or handling something; a state of cooperative or mutually tolerant relations between people.
As we can see, wisdom and understanding certainly are very desirable traits to acquire. How can we do this? Fortunately, the Bible gives us the answer on how to get both virtuous characteristics.
How to Get Wisdom and Understanding According to the Holy Bible
In Job 28:20 these two questions are asked:
Whence then cometh wisdom? and where is the place of understanding?
The answer is given in Job 28:28
And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.
In Proverbs 9:10 the questions are answered this way:
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.
Psalm 111:10 councils:
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.
In I Kings 3:9-12 King Solomon asks God for understanding, and God grants his request by giving him both wisdom and understanding:
9 Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?
10 And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing.
11 And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment;
12 Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee.
Strive Daily to Get Wisdom and Understanding
To get wisdom fear the Lord.
To get understanding obey God’s laws.
To get wisdom and understanding ask the Lord God for them.
Consistently read and study the scriptures, pray and follow God’s commandments. As you grow in your walk with God He will increase your wisdom and understanding.