What is biblical wisdom? Further, as the psalmist stated the issue, "Who is wise?" How does the psalmist answer this question? The wise person is the one who "gives heed" to the things of the Lord.
Paul clearly understood the meaning of wisdom. In his counsel to the Ephesian believers (5.15-18), Paul addressed specifically this issue. "Therefore, watch carefully how you walk, not as unwise, but as wise, . . . do not be ignorant, but understand what the will of the Lord is."
Paul established two categories: the wise and the unwise. How is the wise person distinguished from the unwise? The Apostle described each in terms of four pairs: wise and unwise, aware and unaware, perceptive and imperceptive, and disciplined and undisciplined.
Before going further, let’s understand the Greek word for wisdom: sophos. This term is concerned with propositional truth, as opposed to experiential truth (the Greek gnosis). Sophos would be used in statements of scientific, philosophical, and mathematical truths and theorems. Sophos, then, should be understood as principle, statute, law, et alia.
Thus, Paul was enjoining the Ephesian believers to walk in light of certain truths and principles. No doubt, Paul meant the truth of Scripture. Those who did not grasp these truths, those who did not employ them were the unwise. The wise built their lives on a foundation of biblical truth.
The second pair of descriptors is aware and unaware. A wise person seizes the time, makes the most of the moment. "Making the most" (NASB) and "redeeming" (KJV) are both translations of a Greek word meaning literally "to buy out of." The word means "to set free; make the most of, make good use of." The idea of setting free provides the basis for the translation "redeeming." Yet, "making the most of, or making good use of" communicate better Paul’s meaning. Wise people make the most of the moment, or make the best use of their opportunities.
Since the days are evil, a wise person, being aware of himself, his situation, and God’s purposes, sees the opportunity and seizes it. The wise person walks in a state of readiness (Rom. 13.11-14; 1 Thess. 5.1-8; 1 Pet. 5.8). Thus, being prepared for and alert to any chance for witness or ministry, or any test, trial, or temptation, the wise man can make the most out of any unanticipated opportunity. The unaware miss the moment, and thus, are caught in the web of sin and failure.
The wise are also perceptive: they know what the will of the Lord is. Clearly, without knowing God’s plan, no child of God can have a workable design for his life. Without a knowledge of God’s purposes, we are left to our own ideas, which are imperfect and doomed to fail. As a believer interacts intimately with God through His Word, he gains an increasing perception of and insight into God’s mind and revealed will. The unwise do not perceive, understand, or have insight into God’s plan at all. The unwise fail.
The last pair is disciplined and undisciplined. The unwise are not in control of their lives. In fact, the unwise are under the control of their feelings and passions. The unwise seek understanding and solutions through sensually based experiences. Alcohol, drugs, meditation, sex, being "in touch" with one’s feelings, and such are the tools of enlightenment for the unwise. Sadly, all these "solutions" are simply short-cuts. All are doomed to fail in their promise and become, in the end, sensual prisons.
The wise person is in charge of his life. He realizes that one must discipline himself and control his urges if he is to have intimacy with God and victory in living (Gal. 5.24; Col. 3.5-10). We are not excused from taking charge of our selves. God will not magically take sin out of our lives. The wise person knows this and commits himself to being aligned with the purposes and demands of God. If we are engaged in sin, then the work of God in our lives by his Spirit will be discipline. But, if we have brought our lives under control and into conformity with God’s will (1 Cor. 9.27), the work of the Spirit will be to enlighten and edify us.
What is wisdom? Who is the wise person? The wise person is the one who knows God’s will and obeys God in all things.
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