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What is the source of wisdom? How does one get it? The answers are found in God's Word.
 

Worldly Wisdom

Wisdom by the standards of this age is foolishness to God and is futile (1 Corinthians 3:18-20). God made foolish the wisdom of the world, for through its wisdom, the world didn't even know God (1 Corinthians 1:20-21)! Worldly wisdom is certainly no competition for wisdom from God (Genesis 41:8; 1 Kings 4:30; 1 Kings 10:4-8, 23; 2 Chronicles 9:3-7, 22; Isaiah 19:11-12; Isaiah 29:14; Isaiah 44:24-25; Jeremiah 51:57; Obadiah 1:8). Neither is it any competition for God's power (Job 5:13; Job 9:4; Job 38:37; Proverbs 21:30; Ecclesiastes 8:16-17). Holiness and sincerity do not come from worldly wisdom (2 Corinthians 1:12). Indeed, worldly wisdom is misleading (Isaiah 47:10), is hopeless (Proverbs 26:12), and brings woe (Isaiah 5:21).

Fools despise wisdom and discipline or correction (Proverbs 1:7; Proverbs 15:12; Proverbs 23:9). Pride corrupts wisdom (Ezekiel 28:12-17) and brings destruction from God (Ezekiel 28:4-10). Scripture assures us the fool will be servant to the wise (Proverbs 11:29; Proverbs 17:2) and mockers cannot attain true wisdom (Proverbs 14:6). The wisdom of those who reject the Lord will be put to shame (Jeremiah 8:9). In fact, God chose the foolish things to shame the wise of this world (1 Corinthians 1:26-27). And God will destroy worldly wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:19).
 

God's Wisdom

God's wisdom is immeasurable (Romans 11:33). God is magnificent in wisdom (Isaiah 28:29), and His wisdom is superior to men's wisdom (Isaiah 31:2). In fact, Paul wrote that the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:25). The world was founded and created by God's wisdom (Psalm 104:24; Proverbs 3:19-20; Jeremiah 10:12; Jeremiah 51:15).

God's followers speak of God's secret wisdom (1 Corinthians 2:6-13). We have redemption, forgiveness, and grace through the wisdom of God (Ephesians 1:7-8).

While here on earth in human form, Jesus' wisdom was amazing (Matthew 13:54; Mark 6:2; Luke 2:40, 52). But that really isn't surprising, since the wisdom of Jesus is the wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:24, 30). In fact, all the treasures of wisdom are in Christ (Colossians 2:2-3).
 

Wisdom Given By God

To obtain true wisdom, one needs to seek it from the right source--the only source. God's Word makes it clear that wisdom comes from God (Genesis 41:39; Exodus 28:3; 1 Kings 3:11-12, 28; 1 Kings 4:29; 1 Kings 5:7, 12; 1 Kings 10:24; 2 Chronicles 1:10-12; 2 Chronicles 2:12; 2 Chronicles 9:23; Ezra 7:25; Job 12:13; Job 28:20-27; Job 32:8-9; Psalm 51:6; Daniel 2:21; Proverbs 2:6; Acts 7:9-10). Wisdom doesn't come from wealth (Proverbs 28:11), and it can't be gained in ways contrary to God's will (Genesis 3:6-7). The scriptures are able to make one wise for salvation (2 Timothy 3:14-15). Wisdom is a spiritual gift (1 Corinthians 12:8). Wisdom is given to the wise and discerning (Daniel 2:21) and it accompanies humility (Proverbs 11:2; Proverbs 15:33). Obeying God's laws and decrees is required for wisdom (Deuteronomy 4:5-6; Psalm 19:7; Proverbs 10:8). Fear of the Lord is the key to wisdom (Job 28:28; Psalm 111:10; Proverbs 1:7; Proverbs 2:1-5; Proverbs 3:7; Proverbs 9:10; Proverbs 14:16; Proverbs 15:33; Isaiah 33:6). Even the simple can be wise through obedience to God (Psalm 19:7), and children can have Godly wisdom where worldly wisdom fails (Matthew 11:25; Luke 10:21). If one asks God for wisdom, it will be given (James 1:5). Wisdom belongs to God (Daniel 2:20) and resides in the heart (1 Kings 3:12; 1 Kings 10:24; 2 Chronicles 9:23; Job 37:24; Job 38:36; Psalm 90:12; Proverbs 2:10; Proverbs 10:8; Proverbs 14:33; Proverbs 16:21; Proverbs 23:15, 19; Ecclesiastes 8:5).

True wisdom from God brings knowledge of God's will (Colossians 1:9) and enables one to know God better (Ephesians 1:17). Wisdom is a good thing (Ecclesiastes 7:11). It is power (Proverbs 24:5; Ecclesiastes 7:19) and is better than weapons of war (Ecclesiastes 9:18). Wisdom is priceless (Job 28:18-19; Proverbs 3:13-18; Proverbs 4:5-9; Proverbs 8:10-11; Proverbs 14:24; Proverbs 16:16; Proverbs 17:16). Wisdom from God is supreme (Proverbs 4:7) and superior to worldly wisdom (Daniel 1:17-20). It is better than folly, just as light is better than darkness (Ecclesiastes 2:13). Wisdom is pure, peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere (James 3:17). Wisdom cannot be resisted or contradicted (Luke 21:15; Acts 6:8-10). It is proved right by actions (Matthew 11:19). Wisdom leads to patience (Proverbs 19:11) and peace (1 Kings 5:12; Proverbs 29:9). Wisdom turns away anger (Proverbs 29:8), and the tongue of the wise brings healing (Proverbs 12:18).

Wisdom and discernment are companions (Genesis 41:33, 39; 1 Kings 3:12; 2 Chronicles 2:12; Proverbs 10:13; Proverbs 14:33; Proverbs 16:21; Proverbs 17:24, 28). While wisdom builds, fools tear down (Proverbs 14:1; Proverbs 24:3). Laziness has no relationship to wisdom (Proverbs 6:6; Proverbs 10:5). Companions affect wisdom (Proverbs 13:20), and wisdom can be blinded by bribery (Deuteronomy 16:19; Ecclesiastes 7:7). Wisdom dwells with prudence (Proverbs 8:12; Proverbs 14:8).

Even though wisdom sometimes brings sorrow (Ecclesiastes 1:18), it will reward (Proverbs 9:12). Wisdom brings safety (Proverbs 28:26). It can save one from wickedness (Proverbs 2:12), it protects from punishment and death (Daniel 2:12-49; Proverbs 14:3), and it leads to life (Proverbs 13:14; Proverbs 15:24; Proverbs 16:14; Proverbs 19:8; Proverbs 24:14; Ecclesiastes 7:12).
 

Identifying Those With True Wisdom

Behavior (Proverbs 10:23), good deeds and humility (James 3:13), and what comes from the mouth (Psalm 36:3; Psalm 49:3; Proverbs 10:13-14, 19, 31; Proverbs 14:3; Proverbs 15:2, 7; Proverbs 16:23; Proverbs 17:28; Proverbs 18:4; Ecclesiastes 10:12) are indicators of the presence or absence of wisdom. A wise person fears God's name (Micah 6:9), and obeys God (Matthew 7:24). Those who are wise bring joy to parents and leaders (Proverbs 10:1; Proverbs 14:35; Proverbs 15:20; Proverbs 23:24; Proverbs 27:11; Proverbs 29:3). A wise person listens to advice and instruction (Proverbs 12:15; Proverbs 13:1, 10; Proverbs 15:12, 31; Proverbs 19:20; Proverbs 21:11; Proverbs 25:12; Proverbs 29:15; Ecclesiastes 7:5; Ecclesiastes 9:17) and stores up knowledge (Proverbs 10:14; Proverbs 18:15; Proverbs 23:23). One with wisdom is wise about what is good (Romans 16:19) and shuns evil (Proverbs 3:7; Proverbs 10:23; Proverbs 14:16; Romans 16:19). He is not led astray by wine or beer (Proverbs 20:1), he shows restraint in the pursuit of riches (Proverbs 23:4), and he keeps his anger under control (Proverbs 29:11). One who is wise does not compare himself with or measure himself by others (2 Corinthians 10:12), and he does not show partiality in judging (Proverbs 24:23). A wise person does not boast of wisdom (Jeremiah 9:23) but is praised according to his wisdom (Proverbs 12:8) and inherits honor (Proverbs 3:35).

One who is wise makes the most of every opportunity (Ephesians 5:15-16; Colossians 4:5), teaches with all wisdom (Colossians 1:28; Colossians 3:16), and wins souls (Proverbs 11:30). A wise individual is ready for Jesus' return (Matthew 24:45-47; Matthew 25:1-13; Luke 1:17; Luke 12:42-44), and in the end, will shine like the brightness of the heavens (Daniel 12:3).