Wisdom Is The Principal Thing

Wisdom is not delivered in schools. It is not the product of intelligence, academic attainment, or years of human experience. Wisdom is insight into reality. It is insight into truth. But then the question must be asked: what is truth? Jesus answered it with absolute clarity — “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” Jesus is the Reality. And so wisdom, at its deepest level, is insight into the person of Jesus Christ — the Living Word, the fullness of all that God has revealed.

I. Wisdom Given by God

The clearest portrait of divine wisdom given to a human being is found in the life of Solomon. What he received was not the product of study or strategy — it was a sovereign impartation from God:

And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the sea shore.  —1 Kings 4:29

Scripture presents wisdom in three distinct expressions. The first is Phronesis — prudence, the wisdom of practical discernment in daily life, the wisdom of the just (Ephesians 1:8; Luke 1:17).

The second is Sunesis — understanding and comprehension, the ability to bring things together and make sense of what God is doing. The third is Sophia — the highest form of wisdom, the deep, revelatory knowledge of God Himself (Ephesians 1:8). All three are needed, and all three are available to the believer who walks closely with God.

Luke describes the wisdom of the just and how it redirects lives:

And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.  —Luke 1:17

And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.  —Luke 2:52

And the fruit of walking in truth is one of the most beautiful things a minister can observe in those they serve:

For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.  —3 John 1:3–4

II. How Wisdom Can Be Corrupted

Many ministers corrupt their wisdom — and this is not a small matter. The most sobering example in all of Scripture is Lucifer himself. Before he became the Devil, iniquity — wickedness, darkness, gross injustice, objectionable behaviour — was found in him. He was anointed and could do whatever he chose to do. But he used that liberty to corrupt the very wisdom God had given him:

Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee. By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned: therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God: and I will destroy thee,

O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire. Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee.  —Ezekiel 28:14–17

He was very beautiful. Covered with precious stones. And yet he corrupted his wisdom because of his splendour. Let this sink in: your wisdom can be corrupted and become abominable to God. The wisdom that is corrupted is not trustworthy. It will not only lead you into trouble; it will lead others into trouble with you. If you are a Christian and you continue telling lies — you are corrupting the wisdom God gave you, and it will destroy you. Guard it fiercely.

III. Growing in Wisdom and Glory

The good news is that wisdom can be increased. You are not fixed at the level where you started:

But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.  —2 Peter 3:18

Each one of us has a certain amount of glory — a God-given capacity for radiance and influence. The Scripture illuminates this:

There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory.  —1 Corinthians 15:41

Jesus is the Sun of Righteousness, and we are the stars of righteousness. The more you speak wisdom — the wisdom that comes from meditating on the Word and fellowshipping with the mature — the greater the glory you will walk in. This is not mere theory:

Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.  —1 Corinthians 2:6–8

Sanctify your tongue, your heart, and your mind. If you are walking in greed and desiring things you should not be desiring, you will say things you should not be saying, and you will destroy your own life. You can only talk wisdom if you meditate on the Word and fellowship with the mature. The one who speaks wisdom is promoted; honour comes to those who have it:

Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her. She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee.  —Proverbs 4:7–9

IV. The Danger of Comparison and Competition

Do not trust in your mental comprehension and erudition alone. There is a vast difference between mental ability and revelation knowledge. One produces impressive arguments; the other produces transformation. And nothing reveals the absence of true wisdom more clearly than the spirit of comparison and competition:

For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.  —2 Corinthians 10:12

People who compare and compete among themselves are unwise. They have mistaken status for significance and activity for anointing. The path to true wisdom is not comparison with others — it is intimacy with God.

V. Delight Yourself in the Lord

The key that unlocks the heritage of wisdom, abundance, and divine favour is delight in the Lord. It is not striving — it is delight:

Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.  —Psalm 37:4

Then shalt thou delight thyself in the LORD; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.  —Isaiah 58:14

Get excited about the things of God. When you show that you are genuinely excited about Him, He will do great things in your life. The heritage of Jacob is absolute prosperity — plenty of corn and wine, including the promise of Abraham — the whole world.

God willed the world to Abraham and to his seed. It is in the Book and cannot be changed. The Seed of Abraham is Christ. The seed of Christ is the Church. At the rising of the Church, world empires began to crumble. The Church is the only reigning power in the world today. This is not boasting — this is the revelation of what you carry. Carry it with wisdom.

Conclusion

Refuse to corrupt your wisdom. Fill your heart with truth. Truth is not a philosophical position; it is a Person — Jesus Christ. The more you walk in Him, meditate on His Word, fellowship with the mature, speak wisdom, and delight yourself in the Lord, the more you grow from glory to glory. Wisdom promotes. Wisdom honours. Wisdom is not a luxury for the exceptional few — it is the principal thing. Get wisdom. And with all your getting, get understanding.

The Church is the only reigning power in the world today. Walk in that reality — walk in wisdom.