Unintelligent: Failing to Seek God’s Wisdom

Intelligence is more than mental ability – it is the humble willingness to seek, receive and act upon the wisdom God freely offers to everyone who asks.

Ask God for Wisdom

If we lack wisdom we are invited to ask for it from God, the source of true wisdom and knowledge (Ps 111:10; Jas 1:5,6). We must co-operate with Him to increase our knowledge and mental capacity, for He has given us minds to use. Although we all have different mental abilities, even the simple can walk the path of righteousness without going astray (Isa 35:8). The indwelling Holy Spirit, along with the Bible, gives understanding and insight into the way to live (Mt 22:29; 1 Jn 5:20).

Wisdom therefore begins with prayer. Before we rely on our own reasoning, we bring our questions and decisions to God, confident that He gives generously to all who ask in faith.

Lord, open my spiritual understanding

Learn from Life’s Experiences

A person lacks intelligence if they do not gain wisdom by reflecting on the experiences of their own life and the lives of others – both the good things to copy and the mistakes not to be repeated, for the Bible says, “Consider the path of your feet” (Prov 4:26). Experience is a teacher no one can escape; only the teachable profit from its lessons.

Biblical Models of Wisdom

Scripture gives us vivid portraits of people whose intelligence flowed from a heart aligned with God, and equally sobering pictures of those who chose to live without Him. These examples show that true understanding is never a matter of mere talent or education, but of the posture of the heart towards its Maker.

Solomon began his reign with a prayer that revealed his priorities. He did not ask for riches, honour, long life or victory over his enemies, but for an understanding heart to govern God’s people well – and the Lord was so pleased with that request that He granted him a wise and discerning mind beyond any before or after him, along with the blessings he had not sought (1 Kgs 3:9-12). His later words, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom," flow directly from that experience (Prov 9:10).

Daniel, carried away as a young exile into a foreign court, purposed in his heart to honour God even when the culture around him pressed him to conform. Because he settled that question first, God gave him knowledge, skill in all learning and wisdom, so that he outshone every pagan sage and stood out in the palace of a hostile empire (Dan 1:8,17). His example reminds us that godly intelligence can flourish in the most unwelcoming environment when the heart is fixed on God.

By contrast, those who refused to retain God in their knowledge, though claiming to be wise, became fools, with darkened hearts and futile thinking (Ps 14:1; Rom 1:21-22,28). Their problem was not a lack of brainpower but a refusal to acknowledge God, and rejection of the truth always leads the mind astray. Intelligence pursued apart from God, however impressive it appears, ends in the very foolishness it despises.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom

Valuing Every Person

Do not belittle or despise those of lesser intelligence than your own – God loves them just as much as you, and He can use them mightily in His Kingdom. He is not impressed by inflated egos; He looks only for availability, and He will give the ability as we obey (Acts 10:34). As we all have different levels of intelligence and understanding, He speaks to us individually and in varying ways, wanting us to respond willingly, not like the horse or mule, which have no understanding and must be controlled by a bit in their mouth (Ps 32:8-9).

Growing in Understanding

Understanding grows through simple, deliberate habits. Set aside regular time to read and study the Bible, for it gives light and understanding to the simple (Ps 119:130). Choose companions who are wise, for walking with the wise will make you wise (Prov 13:20), and put yourself in the right surroundings – good teaching, sound books and instructive conversation – disciplining your mind to learn (Prov 22:17, 23:12).

At the close of each day, review your experiences honestly and put into practice what you have learned. Consistently followed, these habits turn everyday life into a school in which the Holy Spirit teaches us how to live (Jn 14:26).

Let the wise listen and grow in learning

Understanding and wisdom are not received by accident – they must be pursued deliberately, like a miner digging for treasure. “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom” (Prov 4:7). God promises that if we call out for insight and search for it as for hidden treasure, we will find the knowledge of Him (Prov 2:3-5). The effort is always worthwhile: “Buy the truth, and sell it not” (Prov 23:23), for no price is too high for the wisdom that endures. Applying ourselves in this way – studying, listening, asking questions and putting what we learn into practice – is how we show ourselves approved to God and handle His word rightly (2 Tim 2:15).

Reflection and Application

Begin each day by bringing your decisions to God before relying on your own reasoning.
Let the Bible, rather than popular opinion, shape your thinking.
Learn from both the successes and the failures of your own experiences and those of others.
Value and encourage those whose abilities differ from your own.