What the Bible says about Wisdom, Spiritual
(From Forerunner Commentary)
It is not without validity that most of our impressions or beliefs about our family, close friends, and acquaintances automatically involve knowledge about their character as a part of their reputation. Obviously, our interactions give us insight to these people's characters and reputations, whether our perceptions are true or false. Those who know us best will see any growth of character or lack of it. Even so, some can have blind spots in relation to a particular person (for instance, a mother may ignore her son's flaws), or the person may have a talent for concealing their shortcomings, even from those closest to them.
We see a positive side of this in Acts 6:1-3, where the apostles tell the church to choose seven men to become deacons. One of the criteria was that these men were to be "of good reputation," which translates from the Greek word martureo, meaning "to be a witness, that is, to testify (literally or figuratively)." The KJV also renders martureo as "give [evidence]," "bear record," "obtain a good honest report," "be well reported of."
These men were to show evidence of God's Spirit and wisdom in their lives, a combination of a good name as well as growth in character. It is interesting that, because they knew them best, the people were to select these men according to their character.
Staff
Our Reputation, Our CharacterRelated Topics: Blindspots | Character | Character, God's | Deacons | God's Character | God's Holy Spirit | God's Holy Spirit, Evidence of | Godlike Characteristics | Godly Character | Godly Character, Evidence of | Name, Value of | Reputation | Spiritual Blindspots | Spiritual Character | Spiritual Wisdom | Wisdom, Godly | Wisdom, Spiritual | Witness | Witness, Quality of
Since we do not naturally have the wisdom from above—spiritual wisdom—then we must ask God for it in faith. We must be sure that our faith is in accordance with His will, and we must come to Him with the utmost confidence that He will grant it. When we go to God with a request, His answer, whether yes or no, will be for our ultimate good. Our faith is not believing that God will give us what we want regardless of our request, but that His answer will always be the wisest answer for our ultimate good.
Martin G. Collins
Parable of the Unjust StewardRelated Topics: According to His Will | Faith | Faith According to God's Will | Parable of the Unjust Steward | Spiritual Wisdom | Wisdom | Wisdom from Above | Wisdom of God | Wisdom, Hidden | Wisdom, Spiritual