Luke 2:52 - “And Jesus increased [grew] in wisdom and stature, and in favour both with God and with men.”

 

Proverbs 4:7-9 - “Wisdom is the principal thing. Therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding. Exalt her, and she will promote you. She will bring you honour, when you embrace her. She will place on your head an ornament of grace. A crown of glory she will deliver to you.” 

 

Wisdom is a multifaceted concept that involves the ability to apply knowledge, experience, and good judgment to navigate complex life situations and make sound decisions.

 

> Application of the knowledge of God is crucial in building capacity to do great exploits.

 

Some key aspects and indicators of wisdom include: 

 

1. Cognitive Abilities

- Critical thinking and reasoning skills to analyse problems from multiple perspectives

- Ability to integrate different viewpoints and find balanced solutions]

- Intellectual humility and openness to new information

 

2. Emotional Intelligence

- God-awareness, self-awareness and understanding of one’s emotions

- Emotional regulation and coping skills

- Empathy and compassion towards others

 

3. Life Experience

- Drawing insights from significant life events and challenges

- Learning from mistakes and failures

- Recognising patterns and seeing the bigger picture

 

4. Values and Ethics

- Strong divine and moral compass and commitment to the truth of God’s word

- Concern for the greater good and well-being of others

- Ability to promote kingdom values in light of own interests and interests of others

 

> To grow anything, you need to possess the seed and understand growth principles.

 

Cognitive Disciplines for Growing Wisdom

 

1. Reflect deeply on your life experiences, both positive and negative. Seek to extract meaningful lessons and gain a deeper understanding of the human condition under the guidance of the Holy Spirit - the Spirit of truth.

 

2. Actively seek out and learn from God’s word, from mentors, spiritual leaders, and other exemplars of wisdom.

 

Proverbs 13:20 - “Walk with the wise and become, for a companion of fools suffers harm.”

 

 

 

3. Cultivate a willingness to thoroughly examine your own biases, assumptions, and decision-making processes. Strive for God-awareness, self-awareness and vulnerability under the spotlight of the Holy Spirit.

 

 

A Brief Look at Major Cognitive Biases

 

 A. Confirmation Bias: The tendency to search for, interpret, and remember information that confirms one’s preexisting beliefs or assumptions.

Example: Proverbs 18:17 — “The first to present his case seems right, till another comes forward and questions him.”

Overcome: Proverbs 12:15 — “The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice.”

 

B. Fundamental Attribution Error: Overestimating the influence of personal factors and underestimating situational factors when judging others’ actions.

Example: Luke 18:9–12 — The Pharisee’s prayer in the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector.

Overcome: Matthew 7:3–5 — “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?”

 

C. Self-Serving Bias: The tendency to attribute success to one’s abilities and effort while attributing failure to external factors.

Example: Luke 12:16–21 — The parable of the rich fool.

Overcome: James 4:13–16 — “Instead, you ought to say, ‘If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.’”

 

D. Bandwagon Effect: The tendency to believe or do things because many other people believe or do the same.

Example: Exodus 32:1–6 — The Israelites making and worshiping the golden calf.

Overcome: Romans 12:2 — “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

 

E. Halo Effect: The tendency to have an impression of someone based on a single positive trait, which leads to an overall positive evaluation.

Example: 1 Samuel 16:6–7 — Samuel’s initial impression of Eliab.

Overcome: John 7:24 — “Stop judging by mere appearances, but instead judge correctly.”

 

F. Anchoring Bias: The tendency to rely too heavily on the first piece of information encountered when making decisions.

Example: Genesis 25:29–34 — Esau selling his birthright to Jacob for a bowl of stew.

Overcome: Proverbs 19:2 — “Desire without knowledge is not good — how much more will hasty feet miss the way!”

 

G. Groupthink: The tendency to conform to the opinions and decisions of a group, often leading to poor decision-making.

Example: 1 Kings 12:6–11 — Rehoboam rejecting the advice of the elders and listening to his peers.

Overcome: Proverbs 15:22 — “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers, they succeed.”

 

F. Negativity Bias: The tendency to focus on negative experiences or information more than positive ones.

Example: Numbers 13–14 — The Israelites focusing on the challenges in the Promised Land rather than God’s promises.

Overcome: Philippians 4:8 — “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things.

 

G. Sunk Cost Fallacy: The tendency to continue investing in something because of the amount already invested, despite evidence suggesting it may not be worthwhile.

Example: 1 Samuel 15:10–26 — King Saul’s disobedience in not completely destroying the Amalekites and trying to justify his actions.

Overcome: Philippians 3:13–14 — “But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

 

H. Optimism Bias: The tendency to overestimate the likelihood of positive outcomes and underestimate the likelihood of negative outcomes.

Example: Judges 16:18–21 — Samson’s overconfidence in his strength, leading to his capture by the Philistines.

Overcome: 1 Corinthians 10:12 — “So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!”

 

4. Develop a broad base of knowledge, understanding and life experience through education, meditation and intentional action on God’s word.

Father, help me to think and apply my heart to whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy. I receive the grace to forget what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. IJN