What is a “Life Hack?”

A specific way of accomplishing something more effectively and efficiently than the regular way of doing it.

God has given us the best“Life Hacks”throughout His Word. We call this“Wisdom.”

What is Biblical Wisdom?

It’s godly wisdom; it’s both knowledge of the Truth and the discernment of how and when to apply it.

“In this age of information, knowledge is plentiful, but wisdom is scarce.” (J Rogers Earnhardt, Proverbs for Today, 2013, p. 4)

1. Wisdom is not the same as knowledge.

•  We can “know” a lot of information, but that doesn’t make us wise.

1 Corinthians 1:20-25 (ESV) 20Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. 22For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, 23but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, 24but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

2. Why should I even care about wisdom?

• When we disregard wisdom, we cause pain for ourselves and those around us.

Proverbs 24:13-14 (ESV) 13My son, eat honey, for it is good, and the drippings of the honeycomb are sweet to your taste. 14Know that wisdom is such to your soul; if you find it, there will be a future, and your hope will not be cut off.

3. How do I get wisdom?

• Ultimately, God holds the keys to wisdom. Our job is to simply ask and be content with God’s answer.

Job 28:12-13 (ESV) 12But where shall wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding? 13Man does not know its worth, and it is not found in the land of the living.

Job 28:23 (ESV) God understands the way to it, and he knows its place.

James 1:5-6 (ESV) 5If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.

Questions for reflection:

1. Do I define wisdom according to the world or according to God’s Word?

2. What would change about my life if I defined wisdom the same way God does?

3. Have I been too afraid to ask for wisdom from God because of what might need to change in my life?

4. How can I help someone close to me understand God’s wisdom better this week?