WISDOM-HOW TO GET IT by H. V. Adams

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jul 10, 1893

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 19, No. 35.

WISDOM—HOW TO GET IT.

By H. V. Adams

BY H. V. ADAMS.

“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering.” James 1: 5, 6. As long as men think they know all there is to know, or all they need to know, and think they know how to use the knowledge they have, they will not seek elsewhere for wisdom, nor will they ask God for wisdom; nor could he give it to them if they did. When a cup is full, even if it has in it nothing but trash, you cannot put anything more in it—no, not even gold. So when your mind is full, even if in it there is naught but vanity, no more can be put in, not even wisdom from God. And if a man thinks he is possessed of sufficient wisdom in himself, his mind is surely full to overflowing of vanity—that empty nothingness which breeds in self-sufficiency. So God says: “Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God.” 1 Cor. 3: 18, 19.

Therefore, when you conclude you have no wisdom, and make up your mind you want it, then go and ask for it. Be sure though that you want what God has to give you before you ask. The wisdom of God is a great thing, and when you ask for it, you are asking for a great deal. But that is your privilege. God tells you to ask for it. He wants you to have wisdom. A man who almost boasted in his disbelief of the Bible, once told me he had asked God in faith for wisdom but did not get it. This, he urged, was proof that the Bible was not true. But it was not anything of the kind. It was proof that either the man did not know what wisdom was, so could not appreciate the gift even if bestowed; or else that he never expected to receive it anyhow. In either case, he could not realize the fulfillment of the promise.

Men sometimes ask for wisdom, then go out among men to display their supposed newly-gotten power of mind. They commence an argument with a fellow man, expecting, now they have asked for wisdom, to dumbfound the poor fellow, whom, in their heart they pity, because he hasn’t asked for wisdom too. But their supposed wisdom doesn’t display, nor does it dumbfound anyone. And why not? Have they not asked God for wisdom?—No, sir; they have asked for egotism and self-exaltation, calling it wisdom. So they have only what they had before considerably intensified.

When you ask God for wisdom, know what you are asking for, realize that you need it, and then believe that you get it. But don’t expect to be a Solomon right away. You will be disappointed if you do. Just believe that God gives it as you need it, go ahead about your business, and the wisdom will be manifested in such a way and at such a time as shall be for the glory of God. Know that God’s promises are sure, and therefore, when you ask for wisdom in faith, you will surely receive it.

Now don’t depend upon feeling to ascertain if the promise is fulfilled. Just know that the Lord cannot lie, therefore, as he has said “it shall be given,” know that it is given. Take him at his word, and thank him that it is so. Believe him, not because you feel like it, but because he says so. When you realize you need wisdom, go to God, ask for it, know that you get it, and go your way rejoicing. Faith is the golden key that unlocks the treasure house of wisdom.