Sometimes it seems as if faith and wisdom belong to two different groups of people. They appear to be mutually exclusive of each other but they are not. In order to operate in faith we need wisdom and for us to operate in Godly wisdom, faith is required. To be truly effective in the Kingdom of God, one needs both wisdom and faith to navigate through life successfully.
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. James 3:13
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1
One of the meanings of the word wisdom is “Skill”. God has given us many gifts and abilities, and we have a responsibility to use those gifts with skill. Faith allows us to go beyond what is seen with natural eyes and allows us to set our eyes in the sprit realm. Faith gives us the courage to believe the impossible!
The gift of faith has to tap into the mind of God and His wisdom, so the individual can be in step with God’s timing and strategy. Wisdom gives us the humility to acknowledge that we don’t know everything, and we need to learn and grow. If wisdom is absent one may experience the danger of “name it and claim it” mentality. Just because God made someone a promise, it doesn’t mean they can run with it and expect God to bless it.
A friend who is in her 60s told me that in 1970s when there was a great move of God in the church, she along with so many young people came to salvation during that time. These individuals got on fire for God and experienced a great touch from God, but then they got off balanced. Some were selling everything and quitting jobs because they were in love with God. They were ready to go into ministry or the mission field without much planning, training, or backing. This eventually led them to discouragement and disillusionment until they found their equilibrium. They had to start facing the reality of finding a job, paying bills, and doing what other people do while loving Jesus. The wisdom of God gives us the skill to patiently administer God’s will into the earth realm apart from the emotionalism of the moment.
On the other hand, if we try to operate in wisdom without tapping into faith and hearing God on a matter, we may operate only on what is possible in the natural realm. We may get too cautious or wait too long to take a step because we don’t see or understand all the pieces yet. One may rely on his own logic and understanding and not leave room for God to be God and for Him to manifest His will in the natural realm.
A man or a woman of God who is able to hear God and believe what He says and at the same time applies the knowledge of the Word rightly, can have great success and longevity in their spiritual walk. We need to grow and develop in both to have a strong and life giving walk with God.