Humility is the Key to Wisdom

Proverbs 11:2 

When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.

I’ve covered the importance of humility by debunking some myths. Before I move on, I’d like to summarize that series because it’s crucial information before learning about wisdom.

Humility is about high respect toward God. Humbling yourself is a voluntary act or a decision like picking out clothes and dressing yourself every day. It takes place as you step down from the throne of your heart and ask God to occupy the place of honor. Humility is shown in the wisdom of respectfully serving others.

Now that you have humility, let’s find out about wisdom because it comes with humility as an extra bonus.

First, you need to know that you already have a small amount of wisdom. You were born with it. We read in Psalm 51:6, “Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb; you taught me wisdom in that secret place.”

God taught us wisdom in the womb. You were born with wisdom just like you were born with arms and legs. If you decide not to use your arms and legs, you’re limited in what you can do. If you decide not to use your God-given wisdom, you will not strengthen the wisdom you have. If you don’t use wisdom, you’re a fool.

If you can’t lift your luggage, you don’t need more muscles, just stronger ones. You should start with small weights and use the arm strength you have. Then add more weight and keep using your muscles until they get bigger. Strengthening wisdom is like strengthening muscles. You have to use it. If you don’t have enough wisdom for your current life decisions, you should use your wisdom until it gets stronger.

If that’s still not enough, you need help getting better, stronger wisdom. So how do you get it?

If you lack wisdom, ask God who gives freely.

We read in James 1:5, “if any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

This describes God becoming your personal trainer. He helps you strengthen your wisdom so your decisions are easier to handle.

Solomon showed us that asking God for wisdom really works. In 2 Chronicles 1:11-12, God said to Solomon, “Since this is your heart’s desire and you have not asked for wealth, possessions or honor, nor for the death of your enemies, and since you have not asked for a long life but for wisdom and knowledge to govern my people over whom I have made you king, therefore wisdom and knowledge will be given you. And I will also give you wealth, possessions and honor, such as no king who was before you ever had and none after you will have.”

Solomon’s humility helped him use his wisdom to ask for better wisdom. This helped him handle all of the decisions he knew would be coming his way.