1 Corinthians 1:24 But to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
In the opening scripture, we see that Jesus is not only the power of God but also the wisdom of God. It is necessary that we understand the combination of both qualities in a person.
What does this mean to us? In addition to the quest for power, wisdom is vital. Power is the ability to do something or influence the behavior of others. If we have power and yet lack wisdom, we can drag not only ourselves but others into destruction.
Most times, people who have a certain level of power, have the tendency to act in arrogance. It could be a talent that gives you an advantage over others, financial power, intellectual power, or even spiritual power (gifts of the Spirit). And that is why we need to have wisdom so that our power doesn’t lead us into destruction.
Remember Matthew 7:22 which talks about how many will say they cast out demons, healed the sick, and performed miracles in Jesus’ name yet Jesus would say, ‘I never knew you?’ You could exude so much power and yet not have an active relationship with God. The gifts and callings of God are irrevocable and that is why the devil still has the power God placed in him even though it’s now corrupted. So the person who has power and lacks wisdom will soon be corrupted.
When God asked Solomon what he wanted and he said wisdom, God said, because he didn’t ask for other things like wealth, long life, or death of his enemies, he would add them to the wisdom he asked for. Wisdom is double power.
Power doesn’t always come with wisdom but wisdom will always give you an upper hand.
Solomon could have still been king without the wisdom but wisdom set him apart in his leadership that many came from far to see what he had achieved with his kingdom. And that is how you can influence people in the right direction.
So how then do we apply this to our lives? Instead of praying for miracle money into your account, for instance, why not pray for wisdom to create a system where there would be a continuous flow of income or an idea that would help create wealth. Looking at the widow Elisha helped in 1 Kings 4, she had just a pot of oil but the prophet told her to look for vessels. She later sold the vessels with oil and paid her debt. So all this while, the money she needed was with her in the form of oil. I’m very sure someone like Elijah would have made it rain money or more oil for her but Elisha employed wisdom in his prophetic operation. Elijah was like a ‘power’ prophet because he called down fire from heaven and did many dramatic things. Through this, Elisha opened her mind to some principles of wealth creation. We need to pray and work on preparing ourselves for what we ask God. If the wisdom to spend wisely isn’t there, money may come and you’ll still lose it. If the right attitude is absent, that gift may lead to doom. God is powerful and our association with Him must make us powerful but He also requires wisdom in our affairs.
And that is why Matthew 7:20 says By their fruits, you shall know them. Fruits are evidence of what has been sown. God is looking more at our attitude than the power and ability we have. James 3:13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.
We can only show the right attitude if we plant it into our hearts. If Christians get wisdom and power, we can better influence the world because there are people who don’t know God and are in places of power, and they are aiding in pushing the devil’s agenda on earth but if people who stand for God and His principles exude power and act with wisdom simultaneously, God’s agenda can be easily financed and supported to influence the world for Christ.
The Word In Clarity 