Proverbs 4:7: “The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom and whatever you get, get insight.”
The dictionary defines the word insight as the power or act of seeing intuitively; involves discernment; seeing into inner character or underlying truth; an often sudden understanding of a complicated situation or problem. Another defining word would be understanding.
In the business world, there is what is called Emotional Intelligence. “It is said to include three skills: emotional awareness; the ability to harness emotions and apply them to tasks like thinking and problem solving; and the ability to manage emotions, which includes regulating your own emotions and cheering up or calming down other people.” Psychology Today. Emotional Intelligence does not require having a high IQ and yet is very successfully used and needed in business to guide thinking and behavior to achieve one’s goals and matters more than technical expertise or IQ.
For Christians, having spiritual intelligence doesn’t require necessarily having a high IQ , but it requires reading the God’s Word, soaking in and absorbing its truth, spending time with God in prayer, deepening our relationship with our LORD, praising Him for our blessings and His faithfulness, extolling upon His greatness, and fellowshipping with other believers. It would also include gaining in our ability to be aware of the Holy Spirits promptings and growing in recognizing how God works through us and around us in accomplishing His will for our lives. It involves having our goals, attitudes, will, and feelings all exchanged for God’s.
The central theme of Proverbs is to find wisdom and to guard it continually. Proverbs 9:10 states: “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.” Then Ephesians 1:8-9 is a parallel statement: “Which is lavished upon us (talking about God’s grace) in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ.”
The next time you battle with feelings of insecurity and feeling someone else is better or smarter than yourself (and I am talking to myself in this) remember Psalms 119:98-99: “Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies; for it is ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation.” Hiding God’s Word in our hearts gives us wisdom, insight, and understanding. It will surpass all human resources. We have access to God’s heart and mind and have full access to revelation by having both the Old and the New Testaments. That is a WOW fact!
As we continue to seek God’s wisdom and insight may we learn to see our self and others through God’s eyes. May we grow in our spiritual intelligence in the school of Christ, being His humble disciple.
Questions:
What insight do you need into any trying relationships in your life right now?
What wisdom has God taught you through trials in your life? Reflect – remember the past. Do you realize you have insight to share with someone else who needs to hear it just from you alone?
My prayer today: God give me Your insight today into each person and situation I encounter. Lavish wisdom and spiritual intelligence into my heart and mind. I want to be aware that You are orchestrating the details for me to be used as an answer to someone else’s prayer today. I thank You in advance that You will be fighting my battles as You are my great shepherd, redeemer, provider, and teacher. In Jesus name, Amen.
Listen to Danny Gokey’s YouTube song “My Best Days Are Ahead Of Me.”