Wise Guys

I appreciate preachers with a sense of humor. Many Christians (including myself at times) tend to take themselves too seriously and need to lighten up more. Proverbs 17:22 says, “A merry heart does good, like medicine…” I also enjoy listening to comedians as long as their material is clean and don’t contain profanity. To this day, I still laugh while watching old Three Stooges films. Who could forget all the crazy sounds made by Curly Howard, plus his various catchphrases? One of which sometimes used by the other Stooges was: “Oh, a wise guy!”

I was once married to a woman whose maiden name was Kerley. Although that short-lived marriage ended acrimoniously, one fond memory of my late ex-wife was her calling me a “wise guy” when I said or did something funny. To which I replied, “What do you expect? I married a Kerley!”


God wants all of us to be “wise guys”, or in other words, have wisdom. Proverbs 4:7 (KJV) says, “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.” The New Living Translation of this verse reads, “Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do! And whatever else you do, develop good judgment.” One dictionary defines wisdom is “the quality of having experience, knowledge, and good judgment.” Knowing facts and figures won’t do much good if they don’t help individuals improve their lives.


There are many wise guys in the Bible. Among them include:

  • Joseph – “Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, ‘Inasmuch as God has shown you all this, there is no one as discerning and wise as you.’” (Genesis 41:39)
  • Temple Craftsmen –  “And I, indeed I, have appointed with him Aholiab the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan; and I have put wisdom in the hearts of all the gifted artisans, that they may make all that I have commanded you:” (Exodus 31:6)
  • Joshua - “Now Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him; so the children of Israel heeded him, and did as the Lord had commanded Moses.” (Deuteronomy 34:9)
  • David – “And David behaved wisely in all his ways, and the Lord was with him” (1 Samuel 18:14)
  • Solomon (often considered the wisest man who ever lived) - “And God gave Solomon wisdom and exceedingly great understanding, and largeness of heart like the sand on the seashore. Thus Solomon’s wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the men of the East and all the wisdom of Egypt.” (1 Kings 4:29-30)
  • Daniel and his three Hebrew friends - “As for these four young men, God gave them knowledge and skill in all literature and wisdom; and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.” (Daniel 1:17)

Regarding our Lord’s earthly ministry, Luke 2:52 says, “And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.”


Of course, we cannot forget the wise men from the East who traveled to see the Lord in Matthew 2. Nativity scenes often show them with the shepherds looking at the newborn baby Jesus. By the time the wise men reached Jesus, He was in Nazareth (not Bethlehem) and referred to as “the young Child.” That’s why Satan influenced King Herod to kill all the male children two years old and under in an attempt to wipe out the promised Messiah.


Also, there were probably a multitude of wise men who came to see Jesus. Most people assume it was a trio (as in the Christmas carol “We Three Kings”) because three specific gifts for Him are mentioned: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. The Magi probably had a caravan to protect them from bandits while transporting their treasures by camel across the desert. Armored cars didn’t exist then.


Do you have a pressing situation but don’t know what to do? James 1:5 says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” One great way to cultivate wisdom is to share the gospel and lead others to salvation:


“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise.” - Proverbs 11:30


“Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, and those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever.” - Daniel 12:3


If you’re serious about progressing in your Christian walk, be a consistent soul winner and surround yourself with like-minded believers. God wants all His children to be wise guys (and gals).


“He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed.” - Proverbs 13:20

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