“It is impossible for God to will anything but what His wisdom approves. That is, as it were, His law of justice, in accordance with which His will is right and just. Hence, what He does according to His will He does justly: as we do justly what we do according to law. But whereas law comes to us from some higher power, God is a law unto Himself.”                 – Thomas Aquinas 
What is wisdom? Is there a difference between worldly wisdom and the wisdom found in God? How can we obtain Godly wisdom and what is its value? The Bible answers all of these questions.
Wisdom takes knowledge and understanding and considers the soundness of an action or decision with regard to the application of an experience. It encapsulates intelligence, common sense, skill, insight, and good judgment. Wisdom is different from knowledge, but it also incorporates knowledge. They overlap. You cannot exercise wisdom without knowledge; because, in order to figure out the best way to achieve a goal, you have to have knowledge of many factors.
There is an earthly wisdom and also a wisdom given by God that comes from above.
First, it is prudent to recognize and acknowledge that God is wise. In fact, His wisdom is beyond our understanding and past our finding out. HE has no counselor, for God is perfect in knowledge and understanding. Therefore, He has no need to seek advice. He is never changing in His perfection; thus, there is no need for improvement.
“Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, for wisdom and might are His.” Daniel 2:20 (NKJV)
“Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out! ‘For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has become His counselor?’” Romans 11:33-34 (NKJV)
“To God, alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen.”  Romans 16:27 (NKJV)
Godly wisdom is first PURE. Purity demands that we live morally and ethically clean lives. Sin taints judgment and affects actions. With a pure heart, we can discern the voice of God and perceive things without being deceived by apparent truths that are in all actuality misleading snares. Satan has tricked many men by cloaking “facts” that are seemingly obvious and palpable, but are in all reality evil.
Heavenly wisdom is pure and then…. peaceable, gentle, and willing to yield. To obtain heavenly wisdom, the surrender of self-will must be laid humbly at Christ’s feet. Where anger and bitterness once lived, mercy and the fruit of the Spirit will reign. God’s wisdom is without partiality or favoritism.
“But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.”     James 3:17 (NKJV)
There are two traits the Bible identifies with earthly wisdom; Self-seeking and bitter-envy. Self-love, self-pleasure, and self-will are all recognizable within this false wisdom. By adding “self” to the equation, it becomes impure. Additionally, the added ingredient of bitter-envy further serves to corrupt this wisdom. For bitter-envy will pursue with a poisonous zeal and in a manner of contention to prick others and cause harm. Where Godly wisdom is filled with love and mercy, worldly wisdom is filled with envy, confusion, and demonic strife.
“But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.” James 3:14-16 (NKJV)
When we find ourselves in situations where wisdom is required, all we have to do is ask. God freely shares His wisdom, but we must ask in faith without any doubt.
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.  But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. “ James 1:5-6 (NKJV)
“For the Lord gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding” Proverbs 2:6 (NKJV)
 With thankful hearts, we praise the one true God, the giver of all life. His wisdom created the universe and established the heavens. Praise God who sees the wretched state of mankind, has mercy on us, and holds each one of us in the palm of His right hand! May He continue to lead us with heavenly wisdom, power, and grace.
With a reverent fear, we seek your face. Guide us, Lord! Train us with Your knowledge and teach us how to apply it, so that as we run our spiritual race, we do so with heavenly wisdom and a heart to love and save the lost.
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” Proverbs 9:10 (NKJV)
 “I thank You and praise You, O God of my fathers; You have given me wisdom and might, and have now made known to me what we asked of You, for You have made known to us the king’s demand.” Daniel 2:23 (NKJV)
“For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.” 1 Corinthians 1:21 (NKJV)
“For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, ‘He catches the wise in their own craftiness.’”    1 Corinthians 3:19 (NKJV)
“The all-seeing eye of God beheld our deplorable state; infinite pity touched the heart of the Father of mercies; and infinite wisdom laid the plan of our recovery.” ~David Brainerd