Bible Verses About Wisdom

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding."

"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."

"As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another."

"For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength."

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."

"Wisdom is a shelter as money is a shelter, but the advantage of knowledge is this: Wisdom preserves those who have it."

"Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise."

"In whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge."

"How much better to get wisdom than gold, to get insight rather than silver!"

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise."

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction."

"So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?"

"The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, for the ears of the wise seek it out."

"But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere."

"For lack of guidance a nation falls, but victory is won through many advisers."

"Wisdom's instruction is to fear the Lord, and humility comes before honor."

"Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his."

"For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding."

"For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God's sight. As it is written: 'He catches the wise in their craftiness.'"

"The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways, but the folly of fools is deception."

"And he said to the human race, 'The fear of the Lord—that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding.'"

"Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm."

"Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil."

"The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight."

"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock."

"The purposes of a person's heart are deep waters, but one who has insight draws them out."

"We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. No, we declare God's wisdom, a mystery that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began."

"By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures."

What's the difference between wisdom and knowledge?

Knowledge is information and facts, while wisdom is the ability to apply knowledge skillfully and make good decisions. You can have knowledge without wisdom, but true wisdom includes both understanding and practical application (Proverbs 1:7, James 3:17).

How can I become wiser in my daily decisions?

Start by fearing the Lord (Proverbs 9:10), regularly ask God for wisdom (James 1:5), study Scripture, seek counsel from wise people (Proverbs 11:14), and learn from your mistakes. Practice applying biblical principles to everyday situations.

Is it wrong to seek wisdom from non-Christian sources?

God can use various sources to teach wisdom, but always filter everything through Scripture (1 Thessalonians 5:21). Worldly wisdom that contradicts God's Word should be rejected (1 Corinthians 3:19). The fear of the Lord remains the foundation of all true wisdom.

Why does the Bible say 'the fear of the Lord' is the beginning of wisdom?

This 'fear' means reverential awe and respect for God's character, authority, and holiness - not terror. Recognizing who God is and our proper relationship to Him provides the correct foundation for understanding life, morality, and decision-making.

How do I know if advice I'm receiving is wise or foolish?

Test all advice against Scripture (Acts 17:11), consider the character and track record of the advisor (Matthew 7:16), seek multiple counselors (Proverbs 11:14), and pray for discernment. Wise advice promotes godliness, peace, and long-term good.

Can someone be intellectually smart but still be foolish biblically?

Absolutely. The Bible distinguishes between human intelligence and godly wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:25). Someone can be academically brilliant but foolish if they reject God or make poor life choices. True wisdom integrates intelligence with godly character.

What does it look like to 'walk with the wise'?

Intentionally build relationships with people who demonstrate godly wisdom in their decisions and character (Proverbs 13:20). Seek mentors, join mature small groups, read books by wise authors, and observe how wise people handle challenges and opportunities.

How can I develop wisdom if I've made many foolish decisions in the past?

Past foolishness doesn't disqualify you from future wisdom. Acknowledge your mistakes, learn from them (Proverbs 19:20), ask God for forgiveness and wisdom (James 1:5), and start making wise choices now. God loves to give wisdom to the humble.

What's the relationship between wisdom and humility?

Humility is essential for wisdom because it keeps you teachable and open to correction (Proverbs 15:33). Pride blinds us to our need for wisdom and prevents us from receiving instruction. The wise person knows they don't know everything.

How do I balance trusting God's wisdom with using my own mind?

God gave you a mind to use, but it should be submitted to His wisdom (Proverbs 3:5-6). Study Scripture, pray for guidance, use your reasoning abilities, seek counsel, and then trust God with the results. Don't lean solely on your understanding.

Is there a difference between wisdom for personal life and wisdom for leadership?

The principles are the same, but leadership requires additional wisdom for making decisions that affect others (1 Kings 3:9). Leaders need discernment, understanding of people, ability to see consequences, and skill in communication and timing.

How can I help my children develop wisdom?

Model wisdom in your own decisions, teach them to fear and respect God, expose them to Scripture regularly, help them learn from consequences, surround them with wise influences, and pray for their discernment. Start early with age-appropriate wisdom training.