The Virtue Series: Wisdom Part 1

The Virtue Series: Wisdom Part 1 THE GETTING OF WISDOM

In the last three posts in this Virtue Series, my focus has been to address the issue of explaining the virtues.

In the following posts, I will explore each of the 4 cardinal virtues individually-Wisdom, Justice, Courage, Self-Control and also the Theological Virtues- Faith, Hope and Love.

CARDINAL VIRTUE OF WISDOM

According to Josef Pieper in 'The Four Cardinal Virtues", the virtue of Wisdom is the 'perfected ability to make the right decisions' (p.6).   

It is a crucial gift since our eternal destiny is contingent upon how we use our freedom.  The power of self-determination, to freely choose who we are and who we will become is a gift from God.  It is not only a gift, which gives us a freedom, because it loosens us from the slavery of animal instincts, but it is also a responsibility, as it requires us to be accountable for our actions.  We are free to make our own decisions on who we are to become and on our actions. 

WISDOM IN SCRIPTURE

Wisdom is the virtue that helps us choose the ways and means of achieving our good.  Wisdom is concerned with the means to our end. The following scripture passages discuss God's judgement of our works and the reward we will gain for them.  We need to know what good we must do to inherit eternal life, and how to apply Christian principles to our lives.

·                     Matthew 16:24-27: We will be judged based upon our works. We need wisdom to do what is right.

·                     Matthew 25:31-46: We will be judged on how well we treated others and whether we performed works of mercy as if for the Lord Himself.

·                     Romans 14:10-12: We will each give an account of our lives to God.

·                     2 Corinthians 5:10: We will each receive good or evil according to what we have done in this life. 

The virtue of wisdom is therefore the cornerstone of the other virtues, and helps lead us to heaven.

HOW TO GAIN WISDOM

Scripture instructs us that we are to gain wisdom by:

1.            Asking God in prayer for the increase of the gift of wisdom ( James 1:5 and Proverbs 2:3-5))

2.            Fearing the Lord since it is the beginning of wisdom. (Proverbs 1:7)

3.            Loving God wholeheartedly since wisdom is a gift that God freely gives to those who love Him (Sirach 1:10).

So what are the characteristics of someone who has the gift of wisdom?  Do you consider yourself to be wise? You might like to ponder this during the week and evaluate yourself according to the standards set in these scripture passages:

·                     Proverbs 14:8,14-18.

·                     Proverbs 27:12.

May God grant you an increase in the gift of wisdom--the 'perfected ability to make the right decisions' 

May He journey with you as you apply them to your daily life. 

Wisdom is the means to the end- The goal is Heaven.