Understanding Wisdom as a Divine Gift
Explaining God’s Wisdom in Simple Terms
When thinking about God’s wisdom and our own, it’s helpful to remember that theologians—those who study God—often talk about the qualities (or attributes) of God in two main groups: incommunicable and communicable.
Incommunicable Attributes: What Makes God Unique
The incommunicable attributes are those qualities that make God completely different from us. These include:
- Independence: God doesn’t need anything or anyone; He exists by Himself.
- Immutability: God never changes, so He’s always consistent.
- Infinity: God isn’t limited by time or space—He’s eternal and everywhere.
- Simplicity: God isn’t divided or conflicted like people sometimes are; He’s always united in thought and purpose.
These are called “incommunicable” because humans can never share these qualities—they belong to God alone.
Communicable Attributes: What God Shares with Us
The communicable attributes are qualities that God has chosen to share with people. This is what the Bible means when it says God made us “in His own image.” These include things like:
- Spirituality
- Freedom
- Power
- Goodness
- Truth
- Holiness
- Righteousness
- Wisdom
Basically, God created us to be good, truthful, holy, and upright—like Him. Sadly, after the first humans sinned (the Fall), these qualities were damaged, but the Bible says God is working to restore them in believers, making them more like Christ.
Wisdom: A Gift from God
Wisdom is one of the communicable attributes. Just as God is wise, He wants to give wisdom to us. The Bible talks a lot about this gift. For example, the book of Proverbs urges us to seek wisdom above all else: “Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding” (Proverbs 4:7).
Wisdom is seen as something that calls out to us, offering blessings to those who listen. Proverbs 8:34-36 says those who find wisdom find life and favor from God, but those who reject wisdom harm themselves. How Do We Get Wisdom?
The Bible teaches that God is eager to give wisdom to anyone who wants it and is ready to do what’s needed to receive it. The New Testament tells Christians to live wisely and promises that if anyone lacks wisdom, they can ask God, and He will give it. But there are two important steps:
- Reverence for God:
- Receiving God’s Word:
In Summary
God’s wisdom is a gift that He wants to share with us. While we can never be exactly like God in His unique qualities, we can become wise by respecting Him and learning from His word. Wisdom isn’t just about knowing facts—it’s about living rightly, making good decisions, and growing closer to God. If we seek wisdom with humility and dedication, God promises to guide us and help us live well.
The second step is focusing on God’s teachings. Wisdom is given to those who study and meditate on God’s word. Psalm 119 says, “Your commands make me wiser than my enemies…for I meditate on your statutes.” The Bible encourages us to let the teachings of Christ fill our lives so we can grow in wisdom. Paul told Timothy that the Scriptures are able to make us wise for salvation and equip us for every good work (2 Timothy 3:15-17).
The first step is learning to respect and stand in awe of God. “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom” (Proverbs 9:10). This means being humble, teachable, and recognizing God’s greatness and our own limitations. Wisdom comes to those who are willing to admit they don’t know it all and are open to learning from God.
As we strive to grow in wisdom, it’s important to remember that this journey is ongoing and shaped by our daily choices. Each day presents opportunities to apply what we learn from God’s word and to rely on His guidance in both big decisions and small moments. The process isn’t always easy, but spiritual maturity develops as we keep seeking wisdom, practicing humility, and allowing our lives to reflect God’s character. In this way, wisdom becomes not just a gift received but a way of life cultivated through faith and obedience.
Minister A Francine Green, April 2026
afrancinegreen.com 