Wisdom can be defined as the quality of having experience, knowledge, and good judgment. Much wisdom is learned over time. True wisdom, however, can only be found in Jesus Christ. Experiencing Him, growing in the knowledge of Him and making choices in obedience to Him; biblically speaking, that is what makes one wise
I’m going to give you three types of changes that must take place in your life if you are going to be truly wise in Christ:
(1) Heart Change (Colossians 2:1-2)
The Apostle Paul told the Colossians:
1 For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face,
Paul struggled for the Colossians even though he had never met some of them. The word for “struggle” has the meaning of “agonizing.” Paul agonized for them.
What was his struggle? What was he agonizing about? He primarily agonized that the Colossians would grow in wisdom and in so doing experience true heart change. He also had several other desires for them: Look at verse 2:
2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love,
Part of heart change involves a people’s hearts being encouraged. The false teaching that was creeping into the area would wound unsuspecting hearts and minds. Closely related to encouragement, is the desire for unity and love. The word “knit” has the idea of being united and brought together.
Christian unity can often make or break a church. A church that is unified and loving each other cannot be stopped. A church that has wayward strings that are not “knit” or united to the whole creates all sorts of problems. Wise Christians are knitted together in love. Their hearts are changed. Furthermore a unified church can withstand any conflict that may approach it.
Paul had more desires for their heart change as well:
to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ
He desired for them to experience the riches of fully knowing God. Jesus Christ is both God and man. We must understand and believe this. This requires a heart change, however.
We may state that we believe this truth. Do we really believe that God is for us and not against us? Do we really believe that Christ is on His throne? Do we really believe that God holds us in his hands? We sure don’t act like it sometimes. Why not? Because our hearts are not changed and receptive to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
Real wisdom starts with allowing God to change your heart. There’s a second change also required to become wise in Christ, however:
(2) Thought Change (Colossians 2:3-5)
Paul states, concerning Christ:
3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
He desires that they discover in Christ all wisdom and knowledge. Paul uses the word “hidden” here because he is taking a not so subtle shot at the false teaching affecting the area. This false teaching taught that one needed secret knowledge of deep things in order to be saved. Paul states the secret or hidden knowledge that you’re looking for? It’s in Christ Jesus. Jesus alone is the secret or hidden thing that you need. He is sufficient. He adds,
4 I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments.
He desires them to not be deluded by other systems of thinking. All attacks at Christianity seek to attack his deity or his ability to save or both. Paul says to go ahead and settle in your mind all your doubts and thoughts. Real wisdom is knowing that all wisdom comes from God. Becoming wise means that our thoughts change. We start thinking the way God does. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians:
1 Cor. 1:20: “Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. 22 For Jew demands signs and Greeks seek wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, 24 but to whose who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.”
Christ is not found primarily by reason. He is not found primarily by searching. He is found primarily by faith. Becoming wise means to grow in our thought life by thinking Godly about things. He adds,
5 For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ.
He desires for them to grow firm in their faith. “Good order” or “discipline” and firmness are military terms that bring about the image of a line of soldiers, holding the line in battle. Collectively, you are wise. Individually, you are weak. Thought change happens when you experience life together.
Becoming wise comes through thought change. Finally, become wise also involves
(3) Life change (v.6-7)
Life change comes about when heart change and thought change coincide. When one’s heart and thoughts are changed, life change should be the end result. Life change, so to speak, is where the rubber meets the road.
6 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him,
Paul’s ultimate desire for them in the quest for wisdom is to walk in Jesus. WALK IN CHRIST. Live in Christ. Exist in Christ. Give it all to Christ. Your daily routine should be focused on following Christ. Be so filled with Jesus that your life changes. This is true wisdom. Paul concludes that he desires for them to be:
7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.
He desires for them to be rooted in Him. If Christ is in your life, you are rooted in Him. You have a foundation that will never fail. He becomes the source of you nourishment. He provides the growth and he provides the fruit. In so doing you are being built up in Him. This causes you to be firmly established in faith in Christ Jesus. When you realize you are this way, then your heart will overflow with gratitude.
Want to be wise? Heart change + Thought change = Life change. Be wise in Christ.
