Welcome to Day 9. of our devotional study, Who Is The Holy Spirit And What Does He Do online Bible study. Today's Bible study is about wisdom and the Holy Spirit. We will be studying Isaiah 11:2, Ephesians 1:17, and James 1:5.
Wisdom And The Holy Spirit
Wisdom is a precious gift from God that guides our decisions and shapes our lives. True wisdom comes from the Holy Spirit and is found in Jesus Christ.
What is wisdom?
To answer this deep question about the definition of wisdom, we will take a look at how the Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines it and we will also look at the biblical definition.
Definition Of Wisdom
Merriam-Webster defines wisdom as:
1. Insight: the ability to discern inner qualities and relationships.
Judgment: good sense, generally accepted belief.
Knowledge: accumulated philosophical or scientific belief, learning.
2. a wise attitude, belief, or course of action
3. the teachings of the ancient wise men
Biblical definition of wisdom
How does the Bible define wisdom?
I found a great biblical definition of the word, 'wisdom' in Christianity.com
The book of Proverbs most often uses the Hebrew word chokmah to define wisdom. Filled with wise sayings, Proverbs defines wisdom as the ability to judge correctly and apply the best course of action based on knowledge and understanding. Another way to describe wisdom is the moral skill for living revealed through God’s Word, which instructs us about how to act as He desires.
If you want to discover more about the biblical definition of wisdom in Hebrew (chokmah), check out this article.
Biblical meaning of wisdom and The Holy Spirit
Biblical wisdom is the ability to apply all the facts and knowledge we learn correctly and the Holy Spirit teaches us to view life from God's perspective.
Wisdom starts with having a deep respect and love of God. It's not just about knowing what's right but also about living in a way that reflects God's love and character. This kind of wisdom helps us make good decisions and understand what's important, always focusing on Jesus.
Read the following Bible verses about wisdom and the Holy Spirit:
Click on the verse to read it in various Bible translations.
"And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord." Isaiah 11:2 ESV
"that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him," Ephesians 1:17 ESV
" If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him." James 1:5 ESV.
James 1:5 reminds us, that God generously gives wisdom to anyone who sincerely asks for it. The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in this process.
According to Isaiah 11:2, the Holy Spirit brings wisdom, understanding, counsel, and strength, helping us navigate life's challenges with divine insight.
Ephesians 1:17 adds that we receive wisdom and revelation through the Holy Spirit to know God better. With the Holy Spirit's guidance, we can live out God's principles and face life with clarity and confidence.
Wisdom from the Holy Spirit
Here is a fun fact:
Isaiah the Prophet referred more to the Holy Spirit than any other Old Testament prophet. In Isaiah 11:2, he predicts that the fullness of the Holy Spirit will rest on the Messiah, Jesus Christ, the 'shoot' that will come up from the "stump of Jesse." Seven hundred years later the prediction was fulfilled when Jesus was born in Bethlehem.
In Isaiah 11:2-3 the prophet predicts that the Spirit of the Lord will rest on Christ. Three couplets are used to describe the Holy Spirit:
He is the Spirit of wisdom and understanding
The Spirit of counsel and of power
The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord.
"And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. And his delight shall be in the fear of the Lord. He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide disputes by what his ears hear," Isaiah 11:2-3 ESV.
The first part of Isaiah 11:2 talks about the wonderful gifts the Holy Spirit gives us: wisdom and understanding. "Wisdom" helps us make smart choices in our daily lives, while "understanding" allows us to see things clearly and make fair judgments. When we have both wisdom and understanding, we can not only see and understand the challenges we face but also make good decisions to handle them effectively.
The second part of Isaiah 11:2, "the Spirit of counsel and might" refers to two specific gifts provided by the Holy Spirit:
Counsel: The skill of giving and accepting sound advice, making wise choices, and leading oneself and others in the right direction.
Might: The power, strength, and courage to follow through on good advice, execute decisions, and tackle challenges.
Together, these gifts enable a person to make wise plans and have the strength to implement them, ensuring effective and courageous action in various aspects of life.
In Isaiah 11:3, "and his delight will be in the fear of the Lord" refers to two significant gifts provided by the Holy Spirit:
Knowledge: This gift involves a deep understanding and awareness of God's will and His creation. It means having insight into spiritual truths and the mysteries of faith. Knowledge helps a person to discern what is true and right according to God's perspective.
Fear of the Lord: This refers to a profound respect and reverence for God. It doesn't mean being afraid of God, but rather having an awe-inspired awareness of His greatness and holiness. This reverence leads to a desire to live in a way that pleases and honors God.
Apostle Paul and James speak about the wisdom and the Holy Spirit
In Ephesians 1:17 Apostle Paul shows that wisdom is a gift from God through the Holy Spirit. Paul prays for believers to receive the Spirit of wisdom and revelation to know God better. This verse emphasizes that wisdom is not merely for practical decision-making but is deeply connected to our relationship with God. Knowing God more intimately leads to greater wisdom, as our hearts and minds align with His will.
James 1:5 encourages us to actively seek wisdom from God. James assures us that God gives wisdom generously and without reproach. This promise means that whenever we feel uncertain or lack understanding, we can confidently approach God, knowing He is eager to provide the wisdom we need.
Conclusion:
Biblical wisdom is deeply rooted in a reverent relationship with God. It involves not only knowing what is right but also living it out in a manner that reflects God's character. We need the wisdom of the Holy Spirit to understand God's will, make wise decisions, live godly lives, gain an eternal perspective, receive guidance and comfort, and be empowered for ministry. It is a gift from God, generously given to those who seek it with a sincere heart.
Here are cross-references for further study:
Proverbs 1:23, John 14:26, 1 Corinthians 2:10-12, Colossians 1:9, John 16:13, Proverbs 2:6, Matthew 7:7, 1 Kings 3:9-12, Proverbs 3:5-6.
Let's Pray:
Heavenly Father, we thank You for the gift of wisdom that comes through Your Holy Spirit. We ask that You fill us with Your Spirit of wisdom and understanding. Help us to know You more deeply and to seek Your guidance in all our decisions. We trust in Your promise to give us wisdom generously and without reproach. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
Who Is The Holy Spirit And What Does He Do? Online Bible Study and Printable Journal
Dive even deeper into this study with our printable journal. This journal is designed to guide you through personal reflections and insights, enhancing your experience as you engage with the Scriptures and listen to the Holy Spirit. Grab your journal HERE.
Here are some questions to consider as you study the person of the Holy Spirit:
What is the most important truth I learned about the Holy Spirit?
Did the Holy Spirit convict me of anything that I need to change in my life?
Come back tomorrow as we study the Joy Of The Holy Spirit.
Thank you for joining me on this journey. May the Holy Spirit continue to lead you into a deeper relationship with God and empower you to live out your faith boldly and effectively.
Resources used in today's study on, Wisdom And The Spirit.:
You may be encouraged by these resources:
Scriptural Grace Resource Library (FREE) HERE.
Devotional Bible Studies For Women And Quiet Time Resources Forever Access Bundle HERE
Printable Devotions For Women's Groups HERE
Names of God resources HERE
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