40 Important Bible Verses About Wisdom And Discernment

Wisdom is simply the quality of being wise. Everyone who wish to succeed in life must acquire wisdom, that is to say that there will be no success without the application of wisdom. Wisdom keeps us away from so many misfortune and mishap, wisdom distinguishes the wise from the foolish. The essence of having wisdom can never be over emphasized. And as Christ followers, we know that God is the author of wisdom and he distributes it freely to all those who are willing to have it. Wisdom is one virtue that the Bible lays so much emphasizes on, especially the book Proverbs also known as the book of wisdom. The book of Proverbs is filled with so many words of wisdom that will guide us through life.

Moving on, we will be talking about discernment here. What does it mean to discern something as a child of God? Discernment is our ability to to unveil the true nature of things through the help of the Holy Spirit. This means that the Holy Spirit enables us to accurately state and foresee things just the way they are. Now, it will interest us to know that wisdom and discernment are closely related and they are both virtues which must be possessed by every child of God. Discernment helps us to be distinguish between the voice of God from the voice of the Satan.

In this perilous time that we live in, it impossible to do life without possessing the gift of wisdom and discernment. For us to obtain wisdom and be able to discern spirits, people or situations we must dwell in God at all times, not seasonally. Join us in this blog as we explore some specific Bible verses that speaks on the importance of wisdom and the spirit of discernment in our Christian journey.

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What Does The Bible Say About Wisdom And Discernment?

God is the giver of wisdom and he has called all those who lack wisdom to ask him for it. The Bible recognizes the importance of possessing wisdom and not just by having it, but also applying it. No one can run the Christian race without possessing the virtue of wisdom and discernment. These two are like oil in our lamps that will carry us in our journey of faith.

James 1:5 “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”. This verse encourages those who lack wisdom to ask God for it through prayers.

1 Corinthians 2;14 “The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit”. This scripture explains that one without the Holy Spirit will definitely lack the ability to discern things and will always see things from the natural perspective. This scripture acknowledges that the Holy Spirit is the one that enables us with the gift to discern things or situations.

Proverbs 28;26 “Those who trust in themselves are fools, but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe”. This verse is a subtle reminder that wisdom keeps us away from evil, it keeps us safe. And when we trust in ourselves, the Bible considers us fools. Below are more Bible verses to help us understand better what God says about wisdom and discernment and how we can apply them to our everyday life;

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Bible Verses About Wisdom And Discernment

For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. – Proverbs 2:6
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. – James 1:5
Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding. – Proverbs 3:13
The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. – Proverbs 4:7
For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives. – Colossians 1:9
Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future. – Proverbs 19:20
For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. – Proverbs 2:10
The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him—the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord. – Isaiah 11:2
Wise people store up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool invites ruin. – Proverbs 10:14
The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, for the ears of the wise seek it out. – Proverbs 18:15
Wisdom is a shelter as money is a shelter, but the advantage of knowledge is this: Wisdom preserves those who have it. – Ecclesiastes 7:12
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. – Proverbs 3:5-6
The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice. – Proverbs 12:15
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. – Psalm 111:10
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. – Proverbs 1:7
And he said to the human race, ‘The fear of the Lord—that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding. – Job 28:28
For wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her. – Proverbs 8:11
Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the Lord, and humility comes before honor. – Proverbs 15:33
To the one who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge, and happiness. – Ecclesiastes 2:26
Those who trust in themselves are fools, but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe. – Proverbs 28:26
For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. – Luke 21:15
How much better to get wisdom than gold, to get insight rather than silver! – Proverbs 16:16
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. – Romans 12:2
Wisdom reposes in the heart of the discerning and even among fools she lets herself be known. – Proverbs 14:33
Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues. – Proverbs 17:28
Know also that wisdom is like honey for you; if you find it, there is a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off. – Proverbs 24:14
And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight. – Philippians 1:9
The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly. – Proverbs 15:2
In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps. – Proverbs 16:9
Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. – Ephesians 5:15-16
For this command is a lamp, this teaching is a light, and correction and instruction are the way to life. – Proverbs 6:23
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? – 1 Kings 3:9
And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ. – Philippians 1:9-10
Teach me knowledge and good judgment, for I trust your commands. – Psalm 119:66
The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit. – 1 Corinthians 2:14
But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. – Hebrews 5:14
God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight, and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the seashore. – 1 Kings 4:29
My son, do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight, preserve sound judgment and discretion; they will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck. – Proverbs 3:21-22
Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. – Ephesians 5:17
They are to teach my people the difference between the holy and the common and show them how to distinguish between the unclean and the clean. – Ezekiel 44:23