Ephesians 5:15-16

Look carefully then how you walk! Live purposefully and worthily and accurately, not as the unwise and witless, but as wise (sensible, intelligent people), making the very most of the time [buying up each opportunity], because the days are evil.
   Ephesians 5:15-16 (AMP)

'Behave yourselves wisely [living prudently and with discretion] in your relations with those of the outside world (the non-Christians), making the very most of the time and seizing (buying up) the opportunity. Let your speech at all times be gracious (pleasant and winsome), seasoned [as it were] with salt, [so that you may never be at a loss] to know how you ought to answer anyone [who puts a question to you].'
   Colossians 4:5-6 (AMP)

Both of these books were written by Paul and most scholars agree that in both cases he was writing from prison.  In both cases the background of these scriptures is Paul encouraging and explaining how we ought to live as Christians.  It's pretty intense and is completely different then the way the world acts today, I strongly suggest reading both of these chapters, if not the whole books because they are awesome.  I love the Bible, I think all the books in it are wonderful, but I have a soft spot for anything written by Paul.

Any who let's dig in.  I don't know how many scriptures there are in the Bible about wisdom but there is a lot.  It's clearly important to God, but what does it even mean?

Wisdom: The quality or state of being wise: knowledge of what is true or right coupled with just judgment as to action; sagacity, discernment, or insight.

That definition came from dictionary.com.  It sounds familiar doesn't it?  If I was going to describe God I might use those exact words, knowledge of what is right coupled with just judgment.  It's what draws me to Him.  I know a lot of smart, knowledgeable people, they can quote the Bible front to back, but it doesn't do them any good.  Wisdom means knowledge of right or truth coupled with just judgment as to what?  Action. 

Faith without works is dead, they will know us by our fruit!  Can I tell you a little secret, so long as you are awake you are in action.  We burn 80 - 100 calories per hour just by sitting.  Every conversation, every call, text, e-mail, facebook message, or chance encounter is an opportunity.  Every time you get in the car, every time you just step out of your bed as a Christian someone is watching.  At home your children and spouse are watching, at work your co-workers are watching, at the grocery store strangers are watching, and in your own private time God is still watching.  This means every second of the day is an opportunity to be wise. 

Paul tells us in the above scriptures that we should know the answers to their questions, that's important, knowledge is an important part of wisdom.  But it's only wisdom when it's coupled with just judgment in action.  God calls us to be wise because He knows how many people are watching us day in and day out looking for our slip ups, looking for the first chance they can get to say 'see, that's why I don't go to church because all Christians are hypocrites'. 

Some people say that Christianity is a crutch, that it's the easy way out.  Maybe that's someone else's version of Christianity because it's not mine.  We have, as Christians, a tremendous responsibility.  Those responsibilities are literally life and death, we can blatantly ignore those responsibilities and many will fall away, many will die and go to hell.  Or we can die to ourselves, pick up our cross, and be the people God has called us to be and many, many people will follow our example and be saved.  Wisdom is one of those responsibilities, if we do not show wisdom in our daily life, if we act rashly, are quick to anger and slow to listen, if we speak foolishly, if we take no time to think before we act, then our faith is dead.  What fruit can come out of anger?  What fruit can come out of hurtful words?  What fruit can come out of cutting someone off on the highway because they cut you off first? 

God is watching, that's scary enough, but people are watching too.  They are searching endlessly to feel that draw of wisdom, to feel that pull towards the light.  Many times they are searching in vain because so many Christians only bring that light out on Sunday mornings.  Most Christians only hear the Word once a week, knowledge is first, action is second.  How can you make wise choices if you don't know the Word?  Once you know the Word how can you NOT make wise choices?  We can't pretend anymore that what we've been doing is working, it's not.  No one is fulled by our faith filled facebook masks, unbelievers don't care how spiritual you sound, they are watching how you act all the time.  Wisdom is important, pray for it, research it, practice it with every chance you get.