10 Qualities to Look for to Know if a Person is Wise

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Who is the wisest person you know?

Before you answer, we should probably start by defining wisdom.

The Dictionary defines wisdom as – The ability to discern or judge what is true, right, or lasting.

A commonly used and easy-to-remember definition is – The ability to know the right thing to do and do it.

And Biblical wisdom is the knowledge and use of what is best, most just, and most proper. Godly wisdom begins with the fear of God and lives itself out in obedience to His will.

So, how can you and I tell if someone is wise? Well, let’s take a look:

10 Qualities to Look for to Know if a Person is Wise

1. A wise person fears the Lord.

Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment.

Proverbs 9:10

2. A wise person is humble.

Pride leads to disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.

Proverbs 11:2

3. A wise person is gentle and peace-loving.

But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace-loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others.

James 3:17a

4. A wise person is merciful, fair, and genuine.

[Wisdom] is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere.

James 3:17b

5. A wise person SEEKs to know and do God’s will.

Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take.

Proverbs 6:3

6. A wise person learns from the wisdom of others.

The mind of a person with understanding gets knowledge; the wise person listens to learn more.

Proverbs 18:15

7. A wise person listens for understanding.

Let the wise listen to these proverbs and become even wiser. Let those with understanding receive guidance.

Proverbs 1:5

8. A wise person prepares for the future but does not worry about it.

“So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.”

Matthew 6:34

9. A wise person is careful about what they consume mentally, physically, and spiritually.

Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.

Proverbs 4:23

10. A wise person is the same publicly and privately.

Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the Lord. Joyful are those who obey His laws and search for Him with all their hearts.

Psalm 119:1–2

Wise people trust God’s love, believe His promises, SEEK His will, and follow His commands.  

Wow, that’s a humbling list, isn’t it?

Let’s take it to the Lord in prayer…

A Prayer Asking God to Bless Us with Wisdom

Father, Your Word says that anyone who needs wisdom should ask You . . . it says You are generous and that You will gladly give it to them. (James 1:5) I know I foolishly look for wisdom from the world at times. I can waste time trying to find answers and solutions on my own. Lord, I am so sorry. Please forgive me.

I humbly ask You to give me wisdom and understanding. There are so many voices shouting what they claim is the truth but I believe You are the source of all TRUTH. Wisdom is KNOWing Your will and applying it to my life.

By Your grace and with Your help, I will SEEK to KNOW Jesus. I will TRUST that He is the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE. I will do my best to follow His example And through Jesus, I will KNOW, TRUST, and LOVE You.

Jesus said, “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father” (John 14:9), and “the Father and I are one” (John 10:30). Jesus showed us Your TRUTH and Your Word says that for our benefit You “made Him to be wisdom itself.” (1 Corinthians 1:30) Jesus is the One I need if I want to live with wisdom. Please help me keep my heart and mind focused on Him.

Guide me by the power of Your Spirit to not only know what is wise . . . help me do what is wise. And Father, to help me on this path, I pray that You will put wise people around me, people who KNOW and TRUST Your TRUTH. Help us encourage one another to live according to Your will and help us strengthen each other with Your love. Amen.

Oh, how I need the Father’s love, the redeeming power of Jesus, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit if I want to live with wisdom.

And if we want to know if someone is truly wise, we just need to look at their desire to KNOW, LOVE, and TRUST Jesus.

The good news is this—if you and I want wisdom all we need to do is ask, seek, and knock.

“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.”

Matthew 7:7–8

ASK in prayer, SEEK the TRUTH in His Word, and KNOCK persistently.

May God bless you today as you turn to Him in faith, focused on Jesus, with a desire to trust and follow His will and live with wisdom.

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