Holy Spirit Chokmâh
“The ways of chokmah are sweet,
always drawing you into the place of shalom.”
-Proverbs 3:17 TPT
Call her what you will—-discernment, understanding, prudence—-wisdom dictates every decision we make: she helps us choose our meals (‘I should eat some eggs and not a second donut’), guides our conversations (‘it would be best if I refrained from oversharing here’), determines the outcome of our work (‘I should solve this solution in the more difficult, but effective, way’), and is talking to us until the moment we jump into bed (‘stop! jumping will break the bed!’). But what exactly is Biblical “wisdom” and how does it differ from the wisdom the world speaks of? Let me share what I have discovered as a Jesus-loving individual who reads the Bible and knows how to use Google.
When our English Bibles say “wisdom,” especially if you are reading in Proverbs, this is typically the Hebrew word chokmah (חָכְמָה). Wisdom here is more of a holistic term, referring both to knowledge and understanding as well as one’s skill and ability to succeed. The barista needs as much chokmah in their work as the studious pastor sitting in their coffee shop. I need chokmah in my admin work and in all areas of my life where I seek not just growth, but success: my friendships, language learning, disciple-making, cooking, and board game playing (my family is very competitive); chokmah is truly an all-encompassing term meant to be applied to our daily lives.
When reading through Proverbs we see Biblical wisdom is discussed in attachment with action—we are exercising wisdom when we have integrity, reject sin, are loyal, show kindness, and help one another in our daily lives. Yes, you can be wise when you solve a problem or give counsel to another—-but the Biblical wise includes everyone who will turn away from evil and pursue what is good. When thought of in this way, I can see why our wisdom starts with reverence for God (Proverbs 1:7), who is able to “see whether I've done anything wrong - then guide me on the road to eternal life” (Psalm 139:24). When I practice repentance, forgiveness, and loving those around me, I am exercising Biblical wisdom.
All of our actions have a root in either wisdom, which is from God, or our foolish, sinful selves. Proverbs 2 begins with a father telling His child to seek to understand the wisdom of God; in verses 2:9&10 I picture the Holy Spirit entering into someone and filling them with knowledge and joy:
“Then you will understand what is right, just, and fair,
and you will find the right way to go.
For wisdom will enter your heart,
and knowledge will fill you with joy.”
Doesn’t this perfectly describe what the Spirit of God does for us as believers? God grants all His children wonderful skills and aptitudes, but only those who accept Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection have Holy Spirit chokmah. Jesus sent us the Father’s Spirit so that we can walk in His wisdom that leads to peace. And what is peace? It is not simply “peace” but the Hebrew word in Proverbs 3:17 is shalom (שָׁלוֹם), which means “universal flourishing, wholeness…a rich state of affairs in which natural needs are satisfied and natural gifts fruitfully employed” (1). Let’s read Jesus' words in John 14:26-27a considering shalom (in Greek, eirene):
“But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Shalom/Eirene I leave with you; shalom I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
So, what is my practical application here? My understanding of wisdom and how to become wise has shifted; I realize that becoming wise does not mean sitting down with a bunch of textbooks and studying hard (though that is not excluded), but the greatest wisdom comes from meditating on our awesome God and following the guidelines and authorities he has put in our lives: Scriptural mandates, our parents, our teachers, and our pastors. Most importantly, believers have wisdom from the Advocate; if you have the Holy Spirit within you, be empowered knowing you have access to the best wisdom-giver ever! Ultimately, the path of Biblical chokmah should bring about shalom in our own lives and in the lives of others, because it means we are looking to our Heavenly Father in all that we do.
Practice it:
Say this affirmation: “I have the Spirit of wisdom, which brings me peace.” How does this make you feel? Do you really believe God has given you access to His chokmah and shalom?
(1) Quote from Not the Way It’s Supposed to Be: A Breviary of Sin, by Cornelius Plantinga.
References:
About the author: Clara Litzsinger works on the All Nations International team and is passionate about engaging the nations, both globally and locally.
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