Devoted to the Propagation and Defense of New Testament Christianity
VOLUME 14
September 6, 1962
NUMBER 18, PAGE 3

How To Obtain Wisdom

M. F. Manchester

"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not, and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith nothing wavering, for he that wavereth, is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord." (Jas. 1:5-7)

In the very beginning of this article I shall pose a question: Is James telling the brethren that in answer to prayer, God will give the wisdom? This I do not believe, and shall endeavor to show by the Scriptures that such is not the case. I hope that no one will come to the conclusion, however, that I do not believe in the power and need of prayer on the part of Christians. We simply do not believe that James is speaking of prayer when he says: "Let him ask of God." Let us notice that he does not say: "Let him ask God," but rather he says, "Let him ask of God." In verse six he tells how to "ask of God." "But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering." How may we "ask in faith"? By going to the word of God which is the source of our faith. "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Rom. 10:17)

The last will and testament of our Lord Jesus Christ, contains all the wisdom that the child of God will ever need in applying his knowledge of that will and testament. In other words, the New Testament gives both knowledge and wisdom, and that in abundance.

Hear Paul: "And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath be hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God." (Eph. 3:8;9)

Question: Is there more wisdom than this that may be obtained through prayer? The word wisdom means the ability to act wisely, and everyone whose thoughts and deeds are directed by the word of God has that wisdom because he has asked of God by going to his word.

But another question and answer: How did he make known his manifold wisdom to the church? Answer: "If you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God, which is given me to you-ward: How that by revelation he made known the mystery (as I wrote afore in few words) whereby when you read you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ. Which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit." (Eph. 3:2-5)

Now let us see if this revelation contains the wisdom of God. "And I brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power.

That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect, yet not the wisdom 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." (1 Cor. 2:1-7) James says: "If any lack wisdom, let him ask of God." "But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering." Let there be no doubts that God's word contains all the knowledge and wisdom that we need to direct us in all of our activities as Christians.

1. His manifold wisdom has been made known to the church.

2. This wisdom was given to the apostles and prophets by the Spirit.

3. Therefore we must go to that revelation (New Testament) to obtain the wisdom of God.

Now I shall show how God's word directs with wisdom. God tells the "spiritual" to restore a brother that has fallen by the wayside, and then gives us the wisdom to go at it in the right way. Hear him: "Brethren if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual restore such a one in the Spirit of meekness: (Now watch it!) considering thyself lest thou also be tempted." (Gal. 6:1)

Christ acted with wisdom each of the three times he was tempted, because his answer to each temptation was: "it is written." (See Matt. 4:1-10) Let us say I am desirous of teaching some one the truth of the gospel and I want to go about it in the right way. That is, I want to use the proper tone of voice, with the glad message of salvation. I ask God for wisdom in this work by going to his word, and I find the statement, or command of the Holy Spirit in these words: "Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how to answer every man." This is wisdom from God, and we don't have to soft pedal the truth tit do this!

A wife desires to act with wisdom toward her husband, and the husband toward his wife. The wisdom for both are found in the word of God. In fact God, in making known to us his wisdom in the New Testament, has furnished us unto every good work.

— Box 11, Cardwell, Missouri