5 Practical Ways to Grow in Wisdom
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Most people are familiar with phrases such as “You do what’s good for you, and I’ll do what’s good for me” and “I have my truth, and you have yours.”
Sentiments such as these express the belief that there is no objective truth or goodness—that you simply do what works for you, with no right or wrong, testing whatever options seem best. While this understanding of reality may appear inclusive, non-judgmental, and loving, it can be dangerous.
A subjective understanding of truth and goodness is a shifting foundation for building a life that is pleasing to the Lord. Scripture does not present reality this way. God does not leave us guessing about what it means to please him, and he does not leave us without guidance in difficult decisions.
Scripture teaches that wisdom begins with reverence for God.
Because God and his character are the standard of goodness and truth, the Bible speaks often of wisdom, the starting point of which is reverence, awe, and love for God:
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding” (Ps. 111:10).
Far from being ambivalent about how we live, God reveals in his Word that truth delights him and that he instructs his people in wisdom:
“Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.”
Truth and wisdom are closely related. We might define wisdom as applying God’s truth, as revealed in his Word, to our current life circumstances through the inworking of the Holy Spirit.
God provides ordinary means for growing in wisdom.
In light of that definition, here are some practical ways we can grow in wisdom:
- Attend a church that teaches the Bible faithfully in love (Heb. 10:25).
- Actively participate in fellowship and Bible learning opportunities—serving others, joining Bible studies, attending Sunday School classes—with other Christians who love Jesus and seek to walk according to his Word (“Iron sharpens iron” [Prov. 27:17]).
- Read your Bible regularly so that the Spirit of God can use the Word of truth in your life as you grow in your knowledge of what delights the Lord (Col. 3:16).
- Seek counsel from mature Christians about decisions in your life so that you might glean wisdom from those who have been walking with Jesus longer than you have (Prov. 11:14).
- Pray for the Holy Spirit to enlighten your eyes and mind as you read the Scriptures so that you might understand them well (Jude 20–21).
Wisdom is not discovered by turning inward to construct our own truth. It is cultivated as we humbly receive God’s truth and learn to walk in it day by day.
This article is adapted from “Wisdom Grounded in God’s Truth” in Beautiful Christian Life’s February 2026 newsletter, “Wisdom.”
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Ayrian Yasar, a Washington State native, holds a Master of Arts in Biblical Studies from Westminster Seminary California. Besides theology and Hebrew, she enjoys nature, theater, music, art, Seahawks football, cooking with her husband, gardening, and dreaming about owning a coffee shop. She currently lives in Florida with her husband Rev. Z. Bulut Yasar (OPC). Ayrian is the associate editor of Beautiful Christian Life.
