Are you seeking wisdom from above? A great place to begin your pursuit is by studying the 7 Pillars of Wisdom spoken of in Proverbs 9:1.

Wisdom has built her house,
She has hewn out her seven pillars.

Wisdom is one of those beautiful gifts that God promises to give liberally to those who ask for it in faith (James 1:5-6). 

When I ask God for something, I usually ask big — because He is a BIG God. And I’ve been earnestly asking God in faith for supernatural wisdom — like that of Solomon. Recently, I was a bit surprised by the answer to that prayer. 

As it turns out, the 7 Pillars of Wisdom are tremendously different than I  anticipated (revealing how GREAT was my need to implore God for wisdom). 

7 Pillars of Wisdom from the Bible

My answer came while listening to a sermon in Acts about the stoning of Stephen. Prior to his death sentence, Stephen demonstrated a kind of wisdom that astounded his accusers.  “They were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he [Stephen] spoke.”

From this text, Pastor Phillip Kayser introduced the 7 Pillars of Wisdom discussed in Proverbs.

Kayser noted that many scholars believe the 7 Pillars of Wisdom are listed in James 3:17: “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.”

Though I have heard this verse time and time again, I finally had an “aha” moment that wisdom is not merely a message — it is also a method. And I was sorely lacking.  

Let’s inspect the 7 Pillars of Wisdom a little closer to learn more about the wisdom from above.

1. Wisdom Is First of All Pure

Since the wisdom we are seeking is from above — i.e., heavenly, God-ordained wisdom — we should expect that it is pure, holy, and true. This means the FIRST pillar of wisdom stands upon the Word of God. And anything that ignores, contradicts, or demeans the Bible — is not wisdom at all. 

The Bible testifies elsewhere saying: 

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

Any wisdom that is NOT built upon the fear of the Lord cannot be wisdom from God. This is particularly significant when we consider how the world around us sports a man-centered wisdom (that even some Christians esteem above true wisdom). This worldly wisdom includes: 

• Science that rejects the notion that there is a God who created the world and all it contains
• A medical establishment that rejects the sanctity of life, cannot distinguish between male and female, and engages in murder for profit
• University and schooling systems founded upon godless principles and ideals

And more. 

Christians must not put their faith in these godless systems. God has called us to be separate from the world. If we want to be truly wise, we will begin with the pure truth of God’s word.

This first pillar of the 7 Pillars of Wisdom is easy for me to grasp, and I can check it off my list. God has granted me a sincere trust in His word and instilled in me a great desire to bring every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. Unfortunately, I made the mistake of thinking that TRUTH was all that was needed for wisdom. 

Truth, however, is merely the beginning of wisdom. Heavenly wisdom goes much deeper. It’s not just about the manuscript, it is also about the manner. God doesn’t just ordain the content of wisdom — He also ordains the means that we ought to engage with it. 

And that’s what we learn in the next 6 Pillars of Wisdom — which is where I need to grow. Wisdom with only one leg to stand on could easily come crashing to the ground, harming those who are in its wake.

Like a thorn that goes into the hand of a drunkard
Is a proverb in the mouth of fools.

This brings us to the second Pillar of Wisdom. 

2. Wisdom Is Peaceable

When Stephen defended against false accusations of blasphemy, it was reported that he had the face of an angel. Stephen wasn’t only sharing the truth of the Word of God with his accusers — he was sharing it with great peace in his heart — not full of angst, wrath, or frustration. He had the face of an angel. 

Elsewhere, the Bible teaches that we are to: 

• Speak truth with love;
• Live at peace with all men as much as it depends upon us; and
• Never let kindness or truth leave us.

Yet how many times have I been filled with alls sorts of ilk inside when debating a hot topic with a Christian brother or sister, rather than seeking unity? 

The Bible will no doubt bring controversies and differing opinions (although I do believe in ONE correct interpretation with MANY applications). And I believe it is right and good to sharpen one another in our understanding of Scripture. 

However, this communication must be bathed in the peace of wisdom, with the goal of harmony. 

Matthew Henry says: 

The wisdom that is from above is peaceable. Peace follows purity, and depends upon it. Those who are truly wise do what they can to preserve peace, that it may not be broken; and to make peace, that where it is lost it may be restored. In kingdoms, in families, in churches, in all societies, and in all interviews and transactions, heavenly wisdom makes men peaceable.

When peace leaves my heart in a conversation, I must leave the discussion to another time and place when my heart is not weighed down with trouble. 

 

3. Wisdom Is Gentle

Here, I had to ask: what’s the difference between peaceable and gentle? And the reasonable answer was that “peaceable” corresponds to reconciliation and unity — whereas gentle corresponds to meekness and patience. 

Matthew Henry says that heavenly wisdom does not:

• Stand upon extreme right in matters of property;
• Say nor do anything rigorous in points of disagreement;
• Become furious about opinions;
• Urge our own opinions beyond their weight;
• Take the opinions of opponents beyond their intentions;
• Act rude and overbearing in conversation; nor
• Come across as harsh or cruel in temper.

Gentleness, he says, is opposed to all these means and methods of communication — as is sound wisdom.

I can attest how convicting this was for me to see how often I do not employ gentleness, meekness, and humility when communicating. 

Yet, I now know the aim of wisdom as found in the third of 7 Pillars of Wisdom — and therefore have a goal to strive for.  

4. Wisdom Is Willing To Yield

Willing to yield does NOT mean that we ought to be willing to give up the truth of God’s Word to quiet an argument. Nor does it mean we compromise. However, we ought to be willing to evaluate if our position is wrong. We are all human and prone to error. And when the Bible teaches something other than what we believe, we should yield to that truth. 

I can’t tell you how many times I have been SOLIDLY SURE that I was right about a doctrine or idea — and later found out I was wrong. Many corrections have come because I have had an “idea” about what the Bible said, but I had never studied the issue myself, asking, “Is this really what the Bible teaches?”

There are some doctrines that as Christians we must hold on to.  These include the doctrine of the Trinity, the resurrection of the dead, salvation by faith alone in Christ alone, and other historic Christian doctrines. However, even on these issues, we ought to be thoroughly convinced from Scripture that these teachings are TRUE. When we KNOW what the Bible teaches, it frees us up to discuss the topics with those who disagree in a non-threatened (or threatening) manner. We ought to be able to give a defense for the hope that is within us, in love. 

Matthew Henry says: “Heavenly wisdom is easy to be entreated; it is very persuadable, either to what is good or from what is evil.” 

In other words, godly wisdom seeks the truth and does not stand upon a position out of pride or self-seeking. It is willing to yield itself to opposing positions when said knowledge proves more faithful than our own understanding. 

When someone proves to be an opponent of our belief system, we ought to be able to dialogue on that topic with a view to understanding the point of view of the other person. And if that position is favorable to the truth, we ought to be willing to embrace it. 

5. Wisdom Is Full of Mercy and Good Fruits

The Outline of Biblical Usage defines mercy as “kindness or good will towards the miserable and the afflicted, joined with a desire to help them.”

Godly wisdom is more than a word, it is a way of communicating, and it produces good fruits. It blows in like a gentle breeze and seeks to help people out of misery and affliction.

Yet, how many times have I wanted to hammer someone on the head with a word truth? Grind them with a pestle until the truth comes out? Or, press them into a corner where there’s no escape from their error?

Ha!

These manners of communicating are fleshly, worldly, of Satan.

No matter how much “truth” there may be in my message, if I can’t manage to share it with mercy, it is nothing but a clanging gong or clashing cymbal. And it bears poor fruit. Then in my pride, I wonder why people are “so stupid” that they can’t see the truth. And it’s because of me. I’ve been the fool.

The goal of wisdom is to produce a yield of the fruit of righteousness. Without mercy, it will only yield frustration — and perhaps some rotten fruit fit for tossing at the person with the microphone.

May God grant us wisdom that is full of mercy and good fruits, for such is the wisdom that is from above.

6. Wisdom is without Partiality

We are partial people, showing favoritism to many personalities, organizations, and theories. And there is a place for this. We ought to prefer our spouses, for example, over the spouses of others. We ought to prefer time spent alone with God above time spent in worthless pursuits. However, there is a kind of partiality that is foolish (and not a part of godly wisdom). Below are five partiality principles we ought to observe. 

1. Without Suspicion

Matthew Henry says the Greek word for partiality “signifies to be without suspicion, or free from judging.” This would suggest that we ought to not prejudge a situation before investigation. When we hear someone speak to us on a new topic, we ought to listen before making a judgment. We ought not to be presumptuous about what arguments the other person is going to bring. “He who answers a matter before he hears it; it is folly and shame to him” Proverbs 18:13. And “The first to plead his case seems right, until another comes and examines him” Proverbs 18:17.

2. Without Wrangling

Henry also calls out a marginal note that says without partiality can mean “without wrangling.” I’m certain this has never happened to you as it has me: finding yourself in an argument just for the sake of arguing; disputing over minutia that has no value; or continuing to debate when neither party is listening to the other. Writing this article is very convicting to me. Yet, I’m also encouraged because it is helping me see how I can grow in wisdom — which is an answer to my prayer.

3. Not Sectarian

Also, Henry says without partiality means “not acting the part of sectaries, and merely disputing for sake of a party.” Above we were wrangling. Now we are drawing party lines. Wisdom that is from above does not stem from political persuasions, organizational guidelines, theological camps, or church affiliations. Regardless of associations or memberships, Christians are united in Christ alone.  Imagine the unity that would be possible if we set aside our party mindset and agreed around wisdom, both the word of wisdom and the way of wisdom.

4. Without Prejudice

Finally, Henry says without partiality means not “censuring others purely on account of their differing from us.” People are different in many ways, including skin color, dress styles, food and drink preferences, income levels, hobbies, occupations, and more. Wisdom from above does not look at these differences as a cause to turn our nose up (or down) upon or act harshly toward another. Godly wisdom recognizes that we all have liberty in Christ. If the Bible does not forbid something, we have no cause to judge our brother over preference or position. To do so is to judge the servant of God.

5. Without Ambiguity

Henry does not get the last word on this topic. Thayers Greek Lexicon provides insights into what it means to be without partiality, namely that it is  “undistinguished, undistinguishable; without dubiousness, ambiguity or uncertainty; without variance.” This would imply that wisdom from above is clear and sure, without hidden meanings. And it does not spout on about that which it does not know. My husband calls this kind of rhetoric in a debate or discussion “shooting from the hip.” And he has called me out for engaging thus more than once. Ambiguity is both reckless and dangerous. And in the end, it produces a poor result, including harming your argument, provoking distrust, and possibly proving oneself to be a liar.

7. Wisdom is without Hypocrisy

Finally, heavenly wisdom is without hypocrisy. Strong’s says to be without hypocrisy is to be “undissembled, i.e. sincere:—without dissimulation (hypocrisy), unfeigned.”

In short, we cannot fake heavenly wisdom. Just as wisdom is FIRST of all pure, it is LAST of all sincere. Without the proper foundation, wisdom is not heavenly. And though it be all of the above: pure, peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of good fruits and mercy, and without partiality — if the wisdom stems from deceit or false motives — it is not from above. Plus, if we seek to share wisdom with others, but we do not apply it first to our own lives — it is not heavenly wisdom. 

Wisdom from above is unfeigned, undisguised, and sincere.

Matthew Henry writes: 

That wisdom which is from above is without hypocrisy. It has no disguises nor deceits. It cannot fall in with those managements which the world counts wise, which are crafty and guileful; but it is sincere and open, steady and uniform, and consistent with itself. O that you and I may always be guided by such wisdom as this! that with Paul we may be able to say, Not with fleshly wisdom, but in simplicity and godly sincerity, by the grace of God, we have our conversation.

May it be so, Lord Jesus. 

Concluding the 7 Pillars of Wisdom

After sharing the 7 Wisdom Pillars, James concludes with this: “Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace” (James 3:18). 

True wisdom will go on to sow the fruits of righteousness in peace, and thus, if it may be, to make peace in the world, and…produce a harvest of joys. Let others reap the fruits of contentions; but let us go on peaceably to sow the seeds of righteousness, and…our labour will not be lost. —Matthew Henry

Wisdom is a dialogue that sows seeds that produce lasting fruit. 

Do you have a message to share with men and women? Consider the methods of wisdom. Have you a manuscript to share with the masses? Remember the manner to which it shall yield fruit. Has God given you a pure word to share with the world? The way you express it is of utmost importance. 

Interacting with people of opposing views can be challenging, but wisdom says: 

• Employ pure words
• Engage peaceably
• Express your ideas gently
• Enter the conversation with a willingness to yield
• Exhibit mercy and good fruits
• Exclude prejudging and partiality
• Exude sincerity of heart

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Scripture quotations taken from the NASB.

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© 2017 Mischelle Sandowich
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