Wisdom Is Built On 7 Pillars

7 pillars of wisdom

The 7 Pillars of Wisdom

Wisdom is the correct and best application of knowledge.  One needs knowledge to have wisdom.  However accumulation of knowledge doesn’t mean one is wise.  Wisdom starts and stops with fear (reverence, respect) of the Lord.

The Bible refers to the seven pillars of wisdom.  These pillars uphold the roof, it speaks of a permanent structure and not a tent that can be picked up and moved.  Seven in the Bible represents completeness.

Proverbs 8:12-14  “I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence; I possess knowledge and discretion.13 To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.14 Counsel and sound judgment are mine; I have insight, I have power.

The pillars are

Prudence

Prudence – prudence is about the intellect and not the will. It will perfect the intellect, give the ability to make practical decisions.  It is the virtue that regulates the other virtues.  Prudence is shrewdness and craftiness.  It is proper knowledge in action. It will distinguish between courage and recklessness for example.

 

Proverbs 12:23 A prudent man conceals knowledge, But the heart of fools proclaims folly.

 

Matthew 10:16 "Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves.

 

Proverbs 14:15-16 A simple man believes anything, but a prudent man gives thought to his steps. A wise man fears the LORD and shuns evil, but a fool is hotheaded and reckless.

Knowledge and Discretion

Establish plans goals  Knowledge and Discretion – this about planning.  Being able to form the right plan because one has knowledge about the things around them.  Plan a course of action for your undertakings.

Proverbs 16:3 Commit to the Lord whatever you do,and he will establish your plans.

Luke 14:28 For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?

Fear of God

Fear of God – it is a reverence towards God. It is on top of that loving God by worshipping and obeying God.  I mean more than the 10 commandments.  When God asks you to do something do it when, how and where He says to do it.  If you love God then you hate evil.

Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

Luke 1:50 1:50 His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation.

Phillipians 2:12-13 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed--not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence--continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.

1 Peter 2:17 2:17 Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.

Counsel

Wisdom counselCounsel – is about accepting wise advice. Listen to Godly men and women but most importantly listen to the Holy Spirit who is the Counselor.  Many successful people have mentors and coaches.   This is true of Super Bowl winners and CEOs also.   We don’t know everything and we need to see what other people know and think about opportunities and situations.

Proverbs 15:22 Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.

James 1:5 “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.”

Ecclesiastes 1:14 A poor, yet wise lad is better than an old and foolish king who no longer knows how to receive instruction.

Sound Wisdom

Sound wisdom proven true through experience. It is abiding success and helpful insights.  This is wisdom in action or wise behavior.  This means to act in a righteous manner – an upright straight    Also to seek justice -  this means to be reasonable and to come to a proper understanding. Thirdly equity is required.  Equity is humility or acting without partiality.

Proverbs 3:21 My son, do not lose sight of these— keep sound wisdom and discretion

Proverbs 2:7 he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity

Understanding

Understanding – is the combination of discernment, knowing the source of wisdom and receiving instruction from the source of wisdom. All wisdom come from our Heavenly Father.  He is the source of wisdom.  Next He gave us an instruction manual called the Bible.  Read The Bible everyday and meditate on it.  Last  we need to know the difference between good and evil.  Just because everyone says something is right it doesn’t mean it is right.  Go back to the source of wisdom and read for yourself.

Psalm 119:130 The unfolding of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple.

2 Peter 3:15-16 and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation; just as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you, as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction.

Joshua 1:8 "This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.

Power

Power – by believing in Jesus Christ as our Savoir and Lord we have power. The power comes from God working in you and through you.  He works in us in many ways and one way is getting the first 6 pillars which will lead to power.  Power is the ability to do something or to direct the behaviors of others or direct the course of events.

Romans 8:11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.

The word for life here means - is of the spirit, quickening as respects the spirit endued with new and greater power s of life

Hebrews 13:21 equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Equip here means to complete to fit out and to strengthen and perfect, make one what he ought to be.

Yes God will equip us with power because that His promise.

 The Gift From God

Wisdom is a gift from God.  He will give it to us if we ask for it.  Wisdom is more than knowledge it knowledge in action.  With  the power to change circumstances and people.

This is why wisdom should sought after more than gold and silver.  God has promised us that with knowledge , counsel, fear of God and understanding He will give us power to put it all into action.