Spiritual Wisdom

We want to thank God for three years of ministry in PIWC, Atomic. God has been gracious to us. He has been our help and we want to thank you for the enormous support we have received from you. Today we say goodbye to each other as I deliver my final message as the resident minister of this church.

Read Colossians 1:9-10.

Paul hadn’t stopped praying for the since he heard of their conversion. This is what God expects from leaders of the church. In his prayer, Paul specifically asked for these things for the church:

1. That they would be filled with the knowledge of his will
2. That they would be filled with spiritual wisdom
3. That they would be filled with understanding

What was the expected outcome of this prayer? Verse 10 brings out his expectation. It was so that they would walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, with their lives being fully pleasing to him, they bearing fruit in every good work, and they increasing in the knowledge of God.

It is important for us to be filled with spiritual wisdom. This is because it is necessary for our walk with the Lord and in this world. Walking in wisdom will prevent many casualties and challenges. One of the reasons we go through many problems and challenges is that we don’t live in spiritual wisdom or apply it to our lives.

The word “filled” as used in this scripture has two meanings. Firstly, it means to be equipped. Spiritual wisdom is a necessary equipment for success in our lives—in this life and in our walk with the Lord. Secondly, to be filled means to be controlled by. Some people are controlled by anger, drunkenness, and other things but the Holy Ghost through the ministry of the apostle Paul says be filed with spiritual wisdom. I pray in the name of Jesus that you shall be equipped with spiritual wisdom and that you would be controlled by it.

I like the fact that the apostle spoke about spiritual wisdom. The adjective “spiritual” makes this kind of wisdom different from other kinds of wisdom. This is not the word of wisdom as mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12:6-8. Rather it is the kind expounded on in 1 Corinthians 2:1-7 where three kinds of wisdom are identified:

1. The wisdom of men or the wisdom of the world
2. The wisdom of this age or the rulers of this age
3. The wisdom of God or spiritual wisdom

1. The wisdom of men or the wisdom of the world
This is the wisdom according to the definition of the world. In 1 Corinthians 1:19-24 we see that this kind of wisdom is foolishness. It is this kind of wisdom that deems it right for a man to marry a man and a woman to marry a woman. It is also the type of wisdom that deems it right for a man to go behind his wife. No one can know God by the wisdom of this world.

2. The wisdom of this age or the rulers of this age
This refers to demonic ideas and schemes. They are incubated in the laboratory of the satanic world.

3. The wisdom of God or spiritual wisdom
This kind comes from above—from the father. It is divinely imparted. It is found only in Christ in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Also, Paul describes Jesus as the very wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:24). The more we encounter him and have fellowship with him, the wiser we become. May God grant you spiritual wisdom that you would know how to conduct your life.

In 1 Corinthians 2:6-7 Paul says wisdom can be imparted. May God grant you divine wisdom—the ability to conduct yourself well. It is that wisdom that will let you know when to speak and when not to speak. It will cause you to know the difference between right and wrong. As a leader, what you need is wisdom.

Read Proverbs 4:7-9.

It is this wisdom that will usher you into greatness and honor. So, I pray for PIWC, Atomic—may God grant you wisdom.

Read Proverbs 2:13-18.

If you want to live long in this world, you need wisdom—spiritual wisdom. By wisdom you will not get entangled in certain things. By wisdom you will know when to speak and when not to speak. By it you will know when to act and when not to act.

Read Proverbs 16:16.

It is better to get wisdom than gold because by wisdom you can make that gold. May the Lord grant each and every one wisdom. In the name of Jesus Christ, I declare over your life: may the Lord impart wisdom to you. May you be a man and a woman of wisdom that you may enjoy long life.

Main references
Colossians 1:9-10, 1 Corinthians 2:1-7, 1 Corinthians 1:19-24, Proverbs 4:7-9, Proverbs 2:13-18, Proverbs 16:16