How Wisdom Works

“[The queen of Sheba] said to the king, ‘It was a true report which I heard in my own land about your words and your wisdom. However I did not believe their words until I came and saw with my own eyes; and indeed the half of the greatness of your wisdom was not told me. You exceed the fame of which I heard.” (2 Chronicles 9:5-6)

Real wisdom shows through what it does.

The queen of Sheba heard of Solomon from afar. But when she saw the young king up close, his supernatural wisdom took her breath away. 

All of his answers were perfectly wise. All of his furnishings were perfectly designed. All of his servants were perfectly ordered.

But more than the discernment and opulence and order, what impressed the queen was what Solomon’s wisdom did to the welfare of those around him.

All the people around Solomon were undeniably happy.  

“Happy are your men and happy are these your servants, who stand continually before you and hear your wisdom! Blessed be the LORD your God, who delighted in you, setting you on His throne to be king for the LORD your God! Because your God has loved Israel to establish them forever, therefore He made you king over them, to do justice and righteousness.” (2 Chronicles 5:7-8)

True wisdom shows in the results.

Is your growth in knowledge nourishing others? Or is it becoming a bludgeon to bruise the less informed?

There are some who store up wisdom like a water tower—an imposing reservoir of insight to rise above inferior souls. James calls this wisdom “earthly, unspiritual, [and] demonic” (3:15). Earthly wisdom wants to be better, not to build up.

God’s wisdom looks different:

“The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.” (Proverbs 18:4)

The godly wisdom open their wisdom like a bubbling brook—a fountain of clear water, open for all. In meekness, they offer gentle, reasonable, and pure drink for people needing discernment. Those who come walk away like the queen of Sheba—delighted, not drained; strengthened, not disheartened, built up, not crushed. 

When the Pharisees accused Jesus of hanging around the wrong crowd, he replied with a word:

“Wisdom is shown to be right by the lives of those who follow it.” (Luke 7:35)

Jesus didn’t care about looking wise.

He cared about being wise. And he was fine if it took a while for the fruit of wisdom to show.

Earthly wisdom demands an immediate showcase of superiority.

True wisdom rests content in slowly beautifying our surroundings, so that the blessing of God shows over time.