Revelation, Knowledge, Understanding, and Wisdom series #4

Anne Bradshaw • May 9, 2023

Wisdom

Dear Reader, Proverbs 24:3-4 says:

“Through wisdom is a house built and by understanding it is established; and by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches.”

We want a strong house, right? I don’t just mean a brick and mortar house, I also mean a household (family relationships) and such. So, while Revelation from God is great, and the gaining of knowledge is helpful, without understanding, the ability to wisely apply the wealth contained in the revelation is handicapped by our own limitations.

When I was presented with this series of progression from Revelation to Wisdom, I wanted to know more. I wanted to be wise in my applications of the truth regarding the Gospel message and the truth it contained. That is what started this series and you can go back and read any that you may have missed on the main "blog" tab on the website.

As I have done with the blogs 1-3 in the series, I employed the help of blueletterbible.org. II like to know the original meanings of words and how they fit into what the author was trying to convey to the readers. From this, I am able to gain understanding for application in my own life.

Regarding the topic of Wisdom, I found the following characteristics. I expanded the simple list (in bold) that was given on the website, with my own understanding according to scripture references I found and my own experience as well .

1. Wisdom skillfully defends home (people and possessions, gifts and purpose) from enemies seen and unseen employing spiritual as well as physical means available with Spirit instruction and strategy. At times it does appear as simple as physically locking a door. It also appears spiritually when we lock gates against enemy attack by saying “no” to anything that might enter our lives through our mental and emotional vulnerabilities. This may look like turning off a particular TV show or game that distracts or causes unwanted contemplation. It may mean distancing ourselves from toxic relationships that foster hate, anger, and manipulation. It may mean simply adjusting our speech to reflect life and not death, partnering with the God perspective rather than the world systems rationalizations, skepticism, and verbiage.

2. Wisdom involves the administration or stewardship of resources and blessings, talents and gifts that we have received. This may include tithing to whomever you receive spiritual edification from, this may mean offerings, free will gifts to those whom you appreciate as edifying your spiritual growth. It may mean wise investment into businesses and opportunities that Holy Spirit directs, or you understand will benefit you for Kingdom sake.

However, administration or stewardship of resources includes much more than financial means, though that is the first thing we think of, thanks to the stewardship campaigns we have been a part of. This administration or stewardship could be of knowledge and understanding. Apostles (first Apostles and present-day true Apostles) along with those under their leadership (apostolic) have been given stewardship of the Gospel of the Kingdom as Jesus taught throughout His ministry and was then demonstrated by the First Apostles (Acts).

If we define the Kingdom of God as the administration of His rule and reign through the church, and then we read the Gospels and Acts along with the letters by Paul and the Apostles to the churches, we get a picture of what this looks like and sounds like. This is an enlightening study to do as a small group. The question to ask as you read is, “According to this passage and the ones before (context is important), what does the Kingdom (administration of Christ’s rule and reign) look like? What examples support this understanding?

For example, consider the passage from Matthew 6 about the birds of the air and worry. What does the Kingdom of God look like? It looks like people who are not striving. Why? Because their hope and confidence is in God to care for them as he does the birds of the air. What does this look like? It looks like the provision for food and shelter is within our reach and when we are obedient to how God has created us (not how sin has influenced us) we have all we need.

Administration or stewardship of this truth would be living it out in our own lives as Holy Spirit directs us through His word and His counsel. It also means we share this truth with others around us, encouraging believers in Christ to exemplify the Kingdom truths as revealed in Scripture.

3. Shrewdness regarding finances, it is much like stewarding them as applied to managing assets and gaining wealth and influence for a Kingdom purpose. Strategy is the word that comes to mind and the Scripture from Matthew 10:16 (NASB),

“Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be as wary as serpents, and as innocent as doves”

Some use shrewdness for their own gain, however the people of God ought to use shrewdness for a greater purpose than their own agendas. It is to be used with the God’s agenda in mind. In return, they are also blessed because of their faith in God as provider and strategist rather than solely themselves or looking to other people. Notice it is the focus and intent of the heart that is different from what the world system teaches. Hebrews 11:6 (AMP) says,

But without faith it is impossible to [walk with God and] please Him, for whoever comes [near] to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and that He rewards those who [earnestly and diligently] seek Him.

4. Wisdom includes prudence or common sense and this is closely related to shrewdness. It results in good judgment with foresight by thinking ahead to the effects of a particular application of understanding. Prudence involves self-control in the advancement of God’s agenda for humanity. Judgment and decision-making are made according to what the Word says about whatever it is to which wisdom is being applied. One could say that the prudent believer does not “get out of the boat until they see Jesus on the water.” If we do anything before God says “go” or continue to do something (say something) when God says “stop” then in our presumptive state, we sacrifice the prudent part of applying wisdom. Presumption works against prudence and is akin to arrogance. It is something to be aware of and be sure to honestly assess our own motives and the situations in which we find ourselves. Presumption would lead us to come to conclusions ahead of getting all the facts and risk pushing people away from the Gospel rather than drawing them to the Gospel. Presumption says, “I know it all, I don’t need you,” and this is applied not only to God but to the community of faith of which they are a part.

5. Finally, wisdom is ethical. Revelation, knowledge and understanding gained by the Spirit of Christ is applied ethically (properly, morally, right, fairly, honorably) according to the Word of God to advance the plans and purposes laid out before us by Christ. The Kingdom of God is an ethical Kingdom, not as the world defines it, but as Jesus defined it. The Ethics of the Kingdom could be found all throughout Jesus Teachings regarding the rich man, the parables of the Kingdom in Matthew 13, for example. It is the way in which the people of God conduct themselves and apply what they receive from God. There are no lone rangers in the Kingdom, and every life is valued.

This concludes the series, Revelation, Knowledge, Understanding and Wisdom. I hope you have gained from it, and it has spurred your study into areas yet to be discovered. We should know what is true and not just what someone else says is true.

Blessings to you, and may the Lord grant you Revelation with the courage to search out the knowledge that leads to understanding to wisely apply the truth to life. May the Kingdom of which Christ is King now, seated in heavenly places be found exemplified in your life for mutual benefit.

Grace and Peace,

~Anne

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Get Ready

By Anne Bradshaw • May 29, 2025

Hear His voice, and Go

He Invites Our Participation

By Anne Bradshaw • May 8, 2025

Dear Reader, It has been on my mind this morning the incredible gift we have in Christ to be members of the Family of God, the Church Jesus is building, citizens of the Kingdom, joint heirs with Christ. We are in His Good Care, always. I’m sure you have also had moments when the appreciation for this gift seems to eclipse the momentary business of daily life. I’m sure you would have your insights as well to add. It is from this place that I am sharing today. My husband and I take time each morning to pray together for family, the Church and the nation. Today when we were praying for our nation and for the people of God, we prayed for those who hear His voice that they would choose obedience above the temptations and the insecurities that they may experience. We prayed for Congress, especially, to be focused on good stewardship of the office they are holding and accomplish the pressing needs of the nation rather than simply the “easy” stuff they can agree on. Our prayers were for those who are not being good stewards of the power and influence they have been given, would now make choices according to the Law of the Spirit of Life or be removed from their places of power and influence until they can fulfill their oath of office responsibly and faithfully. It occurred to me amidst the prayer time, that God really doesn’t need our approval to accomplish His plan. He doesn’t need anyone to be obedient. He invites it. He designed the covenantal relationship with us to not be dependent upon us because He is somehow lacking in something we have, rather He includes us because it is His good pleasure. When I say he doesn’t need us, I mean that He is God all by Himself. He doesn’t need anything from us in order to maintain His sovereignty and Grace and accomplish His plan for humanity that is already in the works. When I was young, I used to think that if I stopped believing in God He would simply vanish. It was quite a revelation to realize I was not that powerful and that whether I believed or not, approved or not, was happy, sad, faithful or disobedient, God was still God. He is faithful to His covenant regardless of my momentary lapses or victories. He loved me and wanted me to have the abundant life promised. Then I learned an even greater truth. It’s not about me. Never was. There is no personal plan of God for my life. It isn’t all planned out. He just knows what is in store and prepares me in advance with all the skills and ability I need to enjoy, endure or receive all that is ahead of me. He’s in my corner, but not for my sake… It’s for everyone. It’s for His kingdom, His righteousness working through me so ALL can have an abundant life promised. I just have a small corner in a much bigger purpose in which to work and follow His leading. It’s not about me... I find that incredibly freeing. I can’t make a mistake that messes up His plan. I’m not that powerful. I am free to choose. I am offered leadership and favor according to His good will for me, for all. If the consequences of sin are experienced, it is because sin carries its own punishment. And sometimes that punishment spills over to others. A drunk driver could have an accident and kill other people. The other people didn’t do anything wrong; the evil of alcohol abuse is at fault. But God still cares and is not defined by the accident. He takes care of His people, but that doesn’t mean we don’t experience the fall out of evil in our world. He promises to walk with us through it. He promises His justice. Evil wears out because it “eats its own” just as a wasting disease will “eat” the host until there is nothing left to survive, then the disease also dies with the host it destroyed. This is evil. God never designed our bodies to host wasting diseases. He didn’t design us to sin. We were meant for more. Evil things have been happening behind the scenes of our government for years. It is now being revealed. Pray with us that the evil will not only be brought to light, but that it will also receive the just judgment of God and His righteousness through His people who are even now, building impenetrable cases to process. We pray for them. We must keep the courts in our prayers that the just judgments of God would be able to work successfully. We must not be discouraged when judges make rulings that are prejudiced, excessive, biased and unfair. Why? Because our hope is in the Lord who is above all and sees all and is faithful to His Covenant with those who believe. God always wins. Those who confront the evil of death, doubt and despair, are not forgotten. The mothers and fathers who lost children to fentanyl, brought in and distributed illegally in our nation, are not forgotten. The people struggling to pay debts, to provide for family and be good stewards are not forgotten. What is needed is for the Church Jesus is building to realize the power of her voice among the nations to make a difference; speak forth the will of God, His one Will, His Just Judgments. What we have currently is a church that is praying in a dozen or more different directions. Because God has Chosen to work through us, is it not important that we steward that responsibility corporately with accuracy rather than personally? Is it a surprise that personal agendas are most likely not God’s agenda? If it is the Church’s mandate to push back darkness and administrate the principles of the Kingdom of God upon the earth, is it any wonder evil has gotten a foothold when we are so busy looking after “me, myself, and I” our own local church food banks and Sunday morning services rather than speaking as one with the whole church against the evil that is even making the food banks necessary? Here's a thought: Maybe those who run the food banks (for example) wonder what purpose they would have if the food banks were not necessary? (just a thought) Would they pray to end the need for something in which they are finding fulfillment? Could the concern for fulfillment, validation, and significance apply to any other Church-run organization made necessary because of the works of evil? I wonder, how many have read Matthew 23 lately? Maybe it isn't that. Maybe the sincere concern for others cannot see past the momentary need to the corporate power of the Faith of God and the one Church Jesus is building to confront the evil source and heal the root of the need. Something to think about, anyway... Grace and peace, my friends. Anne