Four Practical and Valuable Warnings to Gain True Wisdom
Photo by Cliff Johnson on Unsplash
“Enter by the narrow gate…
Beware of false prophets…
Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven…
Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man….” (Matthew 7:13, 15, 20, 24 NIV84) [see full text in button/link below]
An Introduction to True Wisdom
Wisdom can be defined in many ways. How wisdom is defined is based on its context and how the word is applied or used. Some basic words used to define or describe wisdom are discernment, insight, sound judgment, good sense, applied knowledge, and understanding.
The wisdom of the world is defined by its own context and limits. In philosophy (the love or pursuit of wisdom), wisdom is knowledge framed by words, concepts, and speculative thought, using logic and reason to understand the world and how best to live in it. [1]
I remember the first day of my freshman college philosophy class—Philosophy 101. The primary question we were to answer is how we acquire knowledge. I watched as several students took a stab at explaining how to acquire knowledge. Each time, the professor would answer each attempt with the challenge of how can we possibly gain knowledge through any other means than our five senses? This was my introduction to materialism, empiricism, and humanism. [2]
I was young, impressionable, and wandering through life without a clear sense of purpose. But I asked questions. When my questions were not answered well, I sought other sources of wisdom. This led me to look into Eastern philosophies and religions, where I saw what a contrast there was between Western and Eastern thought. There were no easy answers, yet this seemed to propel me ultimately toward seeking God. Yet, it all seemed so ethereal. I needed a practical philosophy for my life. I needed to understand why I existed. Why was I here on this earth? The world’s wisdom couldn’t answer this for me.
There is a practical side to wisdom that I learned later in life. The wisdom needed for conducting business includes knowledge and understanding of culture and demographics, the economy, history, market trends, and the needs and dreams of people. Street wisdom is an applied and practical understanding of how to survive daily life in an often antagonistic and hostile environment. It is highly subjective and passed on by those who survive most successfully.
These forms of wisdom have their place in this world, but the wisdom of God, true wisdom, is different.
Insights
The wisdom of God is the basis for life in the Kingdom of God (Heaven). It transcends worldly wisdom and is literally not of this world, as the apostle James pointed out—
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. (James 3:17)
As the Apostle Paul declared—
Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? (1 Corinthians 1:20)
Even the practical wisdom found in the book of Proverbs is based on God’s wisdom—
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. The knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. (Proverbs 9:10 GW)
The admonitions in Proverbs encourage attaining and developing discernment and discretion, echoing the Lord’s exhortations throughout the Sermon on the Mount (see Proverbs 1:2-6). Jesus describes the wisdom from above in the Beatitudes. This wisdom enables the citizens of God’s Kingdom to live in this world in a way that honors God.
Though unbelievers in this world consider faith in God to be foolish, Jesus reminds us of the blessings of God’s wisdom based on our trust in God.
True Wisdom
True wisdom helps us choose the right path in life. As citizens of the Kingdom of God who learn the true way of life, we are enabled to gain true wisdom. This wisdom enables us to gain discernment and discretion and teaches us how to stand strong in the midst of the difficulties of life in this world.
Jesus gives us true wisdom in four practical and valuable warnings in Matthew 7:13-27.
1. We need to be wise in choosing our path in life because it is a choice between life and destruction. Choosing the path that leads to life is not an easy or popular one.
2. We need to be on our guard so we’re not deceived by false prophets who appear to be what they are not. We need to see these people for who they are by their lives’ example rather than their words.
3. We need to understand that our relationship with the Lord is more important than what we do. We need to be true citizens of the Kingdom of God, with our lives surrendered to the Father.
4. We need to build a firm foundation for our lives grounded in the truth we understand and put this truth into practice in our daily lives, so we may stand strong through the storms of life.
These four warnings need to be considered and continually kept in mind if we want the true wisdom of God for a true way of life. If you lack wisdom, the apostle James exhorts us to seek it from God. God gives true wisdom in a generous and gracious way to those who ask for it (see James 1:5).
Do you have true wisdom?
Reflections for Prayer
The wisdom of God is the foundation of life for the citizens of God’s Kingdom—the true way of life. But we need to use discernment and discretion to pursue this path in life.
If you lack true wisdom, then ask God for it. When you receive true wisdom, ask the Lord to guide you with this wisdom to remain on the path that leads to true life.
Footnotes–
“Philosophy - Etymology, Origin and Meaning.” Etymonline, www.etymonline.com/word/philosophy.
Philosophy: an Overview | Encyclopedia.com. (n.d.). https://www.encyclopedia.com/environment/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/philosophy-overview
Kumar, P. (2025, November 7). Understanding Materialism: An Introduction • Philosophy Institute. Philosophy Institute. https://philosophy.institute/philosophy-of-religion/understanding-materialism-introduction/
Glossariz. (2025, May 2). Humanism - Dictionary. https://glossariz.com/philosophy/humanism
This is an excerpt from a recently published book called The Heart and Soul of God’s Kingdom. Look for it on Amazon with my other books— Trip Kimball on Amazon
And you can also see some of my writing over on Substack too! Just click this link– Trip Kimball on Substack
