God Gives Wisdom – But How? (Proverbs 2:6)

For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding;
Proverbs 2:6 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

HOW does God give wisdom? 

I used to ask for wisdom and presume that God would one day give it to me independently of anything I did – I asked, and then I waited and watched, expecting to just sort of find myself suddenly wise, suddenly understanding things differently, suddenly and somehow just knowing I was right. But that’s not how God says He gives wisdom!

God tells us that He gives us wisdom through His Word – and He tells us to study His Word to access that wisdom.

God gives wisdom through His Word

…from His mouth come knowledge and understanding…
Proverbs 2:6b ESV

The whole book of Proverbs is given to us by God for the purpose of imparting wisdom and instruction, understanding and insight, prudence and knowledge and discretion (Proverbs 1:1-4). 

All of Scripture, in fact, is given to us by God for the purpose of teaching, correcting, training, and equipping us for every good work – so we know how to live rightly. This is what God calls wisdom. “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17) 

Through His Word God gives us light for our feet so we can walk wisely, avoiding things that would cause us to stumble and seeing enough of our path to step securely (Psalm 119:105, Proverbs 4:18-19).

So when we ask God for wisdom, we can be confident he will give it, as James tells us – because He already has! We just have to avail ourselves of it. Read and study it. Take it into our minds and hearts, apply it to our lives, choose moment-by-moment to value what He values, to love what He loves, to reject what He rejects – to walk in His ways, which He has so graciously described and prescribed for us in His Word.

God tells us to study His Word

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a worker who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.
2 Timothy 2:15 NASB

In order to accurately handle the word of truth, which is the Scripture God has given us, we have to read it, learn it, study it in context, and be diligent to find out what God means by what He said (and not what we want it to mean, and not what we can make it sound like it means).

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly…
Colossians 3:16a ESV

I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
Psalm 119:11 ESV

But he answered, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
Matthew 4:4 ESV

And we circle back to Proverbs:

My son, if you receive my words
and treasure up my commandments with you,
making your ear attentive to wisdom
and inclining your heart to understanding;
yes, if you call out for insight
and raise your voice for understanding,
if you seek it like silver
and search for it as for hidden treasures,
then you will understand the fear of the Lord
and find the knowledge of God.
For the Lord gives wisdom;
from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;
he stores up sound wisdom for the upright;
he is a shield to those who walk in integrity,
guarding the paths of justice
and watching over the way of his saints.
Proverbs 2:1-8 ESV (italics mine)

We see here that we have to do something with the Word God has given us. We have to receive it, treasure it, choose to listen to it, choose to care about it, ask for insight and understanding, seek and search for that wisdom in what God has said in His Word. God has given us the responsibility of taking in, understanding, and applying what He’s revealed – and the ability to do so, by His Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 1:13-14, 2 Timothy 2:7, Philippians 2:13).

Take His words to heart, friend, and pour His Word into your heart! Spend the time; make the effort; choose to prioritize the Truth He has revealed. You will never, ever regret it.

Then you will understand righteousness and justice
and equity, every good path;
for wisdom will come into your heart,
and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul;
Proverbs 2:9-10 ESV

More wisdom from Proverbs: