100 Bible Verses about Wisdom Knowledge And Discernment

James 1:5 ESV / 26 helpful votes

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

1 Kings 3:9 ESV / 17 helpful votes

Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?”

Philippians 1:9-10 ESV / 16 helpful votes

And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,

Romans 12:2 ESV / 16 helpful votes

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

1 Kings 3:9-12 ESV / 16 helpful votes

Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?” It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. And God said to him, “Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, behold, I now do according to your word. Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you.

James 3:17 ESV / 15 helpful votes

But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.

Colossians 1:9 ESV / 15 helpful votes

And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,

1 Corinthians 2:14 ESV / 14 helpful votes

The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.

Proverbs 1:7 ESV / 13 helpful votes

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.

1 John 4:1 ESV / 11 helpful votes

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.

Ecclesiastes 7:12 ESV / 11 helpful votes

For the protection of wisdom is like the protection of money, and the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of him who has it.

Proverbs 3:7 ESV / 11 helpful votes

Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.

Proverbs 2:6 ESV / 11 helpful votes

For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;

Hebrews 5:14 ESV / 10 helpful votes

But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.

Philippians 1:9 ESV / 10 helpful votes

And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment,

Daniel 2:21 ESV / 10 helpful votes

He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding;

Psalm 111:10 ESV / 10 helpful votes

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!

Romans 11:33 ESV / 9 helpful votes

Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!

Hosea 4:6 ESV / 9 helpful votes

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because you have rejected knowledge, I reject you from being a priest to me. And since you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children.

Hebrews 4:12 ESV / 8 helpful votes

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Acts 17:11 ESV / 8 helpful votes

Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.

Proverbs 15:31 ESV / 8 helpful votes

The ear that listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise.

2 Timothy 3:15 ESV / 7 helpful votes

And how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

Colossians 2:8 ESV / 7 helpful votes

See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.

Matthew 10:16 ESV / 7 helpful votes

“Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.

Ecclesiastes 2:26 ESV / 7 helpful votes

For to the one who pleases him God has given wisdom and knowledge and joy, but to the sinner he has given the business of gathering and collecting, only to give to one who pleases God. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.

1 Samuel 16:7 ESV / 7 helpful votes

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”

1 Thessalonians 5:21 ESV / 6 helpful votes

But test everything; hold fast what is good.

1 Corinthians 1:30 ESV / 6 helpful votes

And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption,

Hosea 14:9 ESV / 6 helpful votes

Whoever is wise, let him understand these things; whoever is discerning, let him know them; for the ways of the Lord are right, and the upright walk in them, but transgressors stumble in them.

Proverbs 29:15 ESV / 6 helpful votes

The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.

Proverbs 28:11 ESV / 6 helpful votes

A rich man is wise in his own eyes, but a poor man who has understanding will find him out.

Proverbs 19:20 ESV / 6 helpful votes

Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future.

Proverbs 16:16 ESV / 6 helpful votes

How much better to get wisdom than gold! To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.

Psalm 119:125 ESV / 6 helpful votes

I am your servant; give me understanding, that I may know your testimonies!

Job 28:28 ESV / 6 helpful votes

And he said to man, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.’”

1 Kings 3:11 ESV / 6 helpful votes

And God said to him, “Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right,

Colossians 3:16 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

Colossians 2:2-3 ESV / 5 helpful votes

That their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Philippians 1:9-11 ESV / 5 helpful votes

And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

Ephesians 1:17-18 ESV / 5 helpful votes

That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,

1 Corinthians 14:33 ESV / 5 helpful votes

For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints,

1 Corinthians 3:18-20 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their craftiness,” and again, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.”

John 7:24 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.”

Proverbs 18:15 ESV / 5 helpful votes

An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.

Proverbs 15:21 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Folly is a joy to him who lacks sense, but a man of understanding walks straight ahead.

Proverbs 9:10 ESV / 5 helpful votes

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.

Proverbs 3:13-18 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold. She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. ...

Proverbs 3:13 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding,

Psalm 119:66 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe in your commandments.

1 Corinthians 14:29 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said.

1 Corinthians 1:25 ESV / 4 helpful votes

For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

Romans 12:9 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.

John 8:32 ESV / 4 helpful votes

And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Matthew 24:24 ESV / 4 helpful votes

For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.

Ecclesiastes 10:12 ESV / 4 helpful votes

The words of a wise man's mouth win him favor, but the lips of a fool consume him.

Ecclesiastes 8:1 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Who is like the wise? And who knows the interpretation of a thing? A man's wisdom makes his face shine, and the hardness of his face is changed.

Proverbs 29:11 ESV / 4 helpful votes

A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back.

Proverbs 28:7 ESV / 4 helpful votes

The one who keeps the law is a son with understanding, but a companion of gluttons shames his father.

Proverbs 13:20 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.

Proverbs 1:5 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance,

Psalm 51:6 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.

Psalm 23:1-6 ESV / 4 helpful votes

A Psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. ...

Job 12:12-13 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Wisdom is with the aged, and understanding in length of days. “With God are wisdom and might; he has counsel and understanding.

James 4:8 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

James 1:1-27 ESV / 3 helpful votes

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings. Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. ...

2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV / 3 helpful votes

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

1 Timothy 6:3-5 ESV / 3 helpful votes

If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain.

Colossians 2:3 ESV / 3 helpful votes

In whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Colossians 1:28 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ.

Ephesians 5:15-17 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

2 Corinthians 11:13-15 ESV / 3 helpful votes

For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.

1 Corinthians 13:2 ESV / 3 helpful votes

And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.

1 Corinthians 12:10 ESV / 3 helpful votes

To another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.

John 3:16-17 ESV / 3 helpful votes

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

Luke 21:15 ESV / 3 helpful votes

For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict.

Daniel 12:3 ESV / 3 helpful votes

And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.

Daniel 2:20-21 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Daniel answered and said: “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might. He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding;

Daniel 1:17 ESV / 3 helpful votes

As for these four youths, God gave them learning and skill in all literature and wisdom, and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.

Jeremiah 33:3 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.

Jeremiah 9:23 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches,

Ecclesiastes 12:13 ESV / 3 helpful votes

The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.

Ecclesiastes 10:10 ESV / 3 helpful votes

If the iron is blunt, and one does not sharpen the edge, he must use more strength, but wisdom helps one to succeed.

Proverbs 14:6 ESV / 3 helpful votes

A scoffer seeks wisdom in vain, but knowledge is easy for a man of understanding.

Proverbs 4:7 ESV / 3 helpful votes

The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight.

Proverbs 4:6-7 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Do not forsake her, and she will keep you; love her, and she will guard you. The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight.

Psalm 37:30 ESV / 3 helpful votes

The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks justice.

2 Peter 3:18 ESV / 2 helpful votes

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.

James 1:17 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

2 Timothy 2:7 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.

Philippians 1:10 ESV / 2 helpful votes

So that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,

Galatians 4:9 ESV / 2 helpful votes

But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more?

2 Corinthians 11:14 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.

1 Corinthians 8:1 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Now concerning food offered to idols: we know that “all of us possess knowledge.” This “knowledge” puffs up, but love builds up.

1 Corinthians 3:19 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their craftiness,”

1 Corinthians 2:10 ESV / 2 helpful votes

These things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.

Matthew 16:3 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And in the morning, ‘It will be stormy today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times.

Isaiah 8:20 ESV / 2 helpful votes

To the teaching and to the testimony! If they will not speak according to this word, it is because they have no dawn.

Ecclesiastes 1:13 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And I applied my heart to seek and to search out by wisdom all that is done under heaven. It is an unhappy business that God has given to the children of man to be busy with.

Proverbs 25:1-28 ESV / 2 helpful votes

These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied. It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out. As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, so the heart of kings is unsearchable. Take away the dross from the silver, and the smith has material for a vessel; take away the wicked from the presence of the king, and his throne will be established in righteousness. ...

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