The Gift of Wisdom by Mrs. B. J. Cady

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 10, 1907

The Gift of Wisdom

By Mrs. B. J. Cady

MRS. B. J. CADY

“WHEREFORE be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.” Eph. 5:17.

And why should we fail to understand what the will of the Lord is, since we are told that if we lack wisdom, we may ask of God and it will be given us?

There is one condition given, and that is that we “ask in faith.” Then since wisdom is such a desirable thing to have, in order that we may know how to do and say just the right things, and that our way be prospered, why is it that the children of God sometimes fail to have

that wisdom that it is their privilege to possess?

Why is it that brethren sometimes think quite differently about the best methods of doing a work? If all were led by the Spirit, would they not see eye to eye? Is it not likely that while some sense their lack of wisdom, and look to the Lord for guidance, others trust in their own wisdom, and do not feel any need of asking the Lord about that matter? Providence may have led one through certain experiences which have taught him much. Another may never have passed through such experiences, or and may be quite ignorant upon those points. Now, if the Spirit of the Lord is leading both of these men, it will cause the inexperienced one to see light in the counsel of the other. Though he may not see the matter so clearly, yet both minds will be in harmony, and they will work in unison.

We are told that ‘if any man think that he knoweth anything, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.’ So in order to obtain real wisdom, we must first realize that we of ourselves know nothing. ‘The heart is deceitful above all things,’ and though we may think that because of our experience we ought to know something of ourselves, we can not be sure that we are in the right unless we are constantly looking to the Lord to lead us. I believe that in order to be continually guided by the Spirit of wisdom, we must be constantly looking to the Lord, who is the source of all wisdom. And whenever any important matter is to be decided, we need to present that particular matter before God, and ask him to lead us aright, that we may take a course that will be to his name’s honor and glory.

The Lord is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart, and if our motive is pure, he will grant our requests. But if we seek for wisdom simply that we may be exalted, we lack true faith, and would not use knowledge to the glory of God, if we should have it.

There are two kinds of wisdom specified,—the wisdom of this world, which is foolishness with God; and the wisdom that is from above, which is ‘first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.’ The wisdom of this world is boastful and proud, full of envying and strife. But the wisdom from above is peaceable and gentle and easy to be entreated. Have we thought that we were wise? We may know the true source of our wisdom by the spirit we manifest.

We can not always see at the time why a thing is best, but if we trust the Lord to lead in everything, he will surely cause all things to work together for good. If we walk in the light of God’s Word, his Spirit will bear witness with our spirit, and we shall have peace in him, knowing that we are led by his Spirit.

The Lord is interested in everything that can have any effect on the welfare of mankind. Even though it may seem to us that it is too small a matter to take to him in prayer, if it could have any influence at all for good or evil, he wants that influence to be for good, and is willing to lead us aright, if we only ask him. If we take everything to him in prayer, looking to him for guidance, it will help to keep our hearts submissive to him, and he can then work through us so that every word and action will be to his glory. Then we shall gather with Christ instead of scattering abroad.

How can we tell whether we are right or not? In the first place, let us go “to the law and to the testimony.” If we speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in us. The Spirit of God will never lead us contrary to his Word. But we may appear to speak in harmony with the Word, and yet be wrong. The question then is, What spirit do we manifest? If we have bitter envying and strife in our hearts, we may know that our wisdom is earthly, and not from above. Then we need to humble our hearts before God, and submit ourselves to him, that he may lead us.

The words of the wise man upon this point are as appropriate now as ever they were: ‘Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.’ Prov. 3:5, 6.

What possibilities there are before us! If we acknowledge the Lord in all our ways, he will direct our paths.

Tahiti, Society Islands.