Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously without criticizing and it will be given to him.     James 1:5 HCSB

We all like to believe that we are intelligent. No one wants to consider themselves unwise. Maybe it’s just me, but there have been times when I have thought I was being smart and made some really stupid decisions. Looking back, these were times when I plunged forward with my own great plans and failed to pray about it. Proverbs 3:5-7 to trust in the LORD with all our heart and not rely on our own understanding, to think about Him in all our ways and He will guide us on the right paths. We are then warned not to consider ourselves wise but to fear the LORD and turn away from evil. When we consider ourselves to be wise, we become prideful. Pride leads to our destruction (Proverbs 16:18). The book of Proverbs was written by Solomon. Solomon was noted as being the wisest man known. He was son of David and his successor to the throne. The reason Solomon was so wise was because God was the source of his wisdom. He did exactly what James encouraged us to do in our Scripture passage. He asked God for wisdom.

In 1 Kings chapter 3 after Solomon had become king God told Solomon to ask for anything he wanted, and God would give it to him. Solomon asked God for wisdom and discernment. He was young, about 20, and inexperienced and was now ruler and judge of God’s people. In verse 9 Solomon asked God to give him an obedient heart to Judge God’s people and wisdom to discern between good and evil. God was so pleased that Solomon asked for wisdom and an obedient heart that God not only gave what he asked for but also gave him riches and honor and promised him a long life as long as Solomon would be obedient to God and obey His commands. Solomon’s rulings showed all those around that he had God’s wisdom in him to carry out justice. Oh, if only our politicians would pray to God for wisdom and be obedient to Him.

We can’t control what our politicians do, but we can control what we do. We should not consider ourselves to be so wise but should turn to God for wisdom. We can pray for wisdom and discernment. We can rely on God and consult Him in all we do. We show a lack of wisdom when we don’t rely on God. When we count on ourselves and trust in our own wisdom, we are foolish. I know this from personal experience. I’ve been there, done that and got the t-shirt.

Don’t be foolish. Turn to God and trust in Him with all your heart. Don’t consider yourself to be wise but ask Him for wisdom. Our Scripture passage for today tells us that He will give generously without criticizing. God is not going to call us a big dummy when we ask Him for wisdom. He will generously give us wisdom.

We live in a world of scammers and hackers. There are many out there claiming to be preaching God’s word that are actually doing their best to lead us astray. We can’t count on our wisdom. Why would we when we have access to God’s wisdom? All we have to do is ask. James tells us that God gives wisdom to anyone who asks. No one is excluded.

I regularly pray for wisdom and discernment because I am trying to make better decisions in my life. I know He’s got this. John 15:5 tells us that He is the vine, and we are the branches, without Him we can do nothing.

If you consider yourself wise, you are being foolish. Submit to God, humble yourself before Him. Ask Him for wisdom. Trust in Him to lead and guide you in all you do. He will not only give you wisdom and discernment but will give it generously. I don’t know about you, but I have learned that I need all the help I can get. Without Him I make stupid mistakes. I have learned to consult Him in all that I do, and I trust in Him to guide me on the right paths.

Are you really as smart as you think you are? Are you seriously going to try to do this thing called life on the limited amount of intelligence you may possess? Why not turn to God and trust in Him and pray for Him to give you wisdom. He won’t let you down.

Have a great day!