by Shannon Caughey

Coaches can be complimented for a number of qualities: “She’s a really successful coach” or “He’s a player’s coach” or “That coach is great at in-game adjustments.” Coaches are also affirmed for things like organizational skills, effective communication, and being inspirational leaders. There’s still another compliment that is less-frequently voiced but you should strive to be true of you: “He/she is a wise coach.”

In this series of devotions, we’re looking at the Apostle Paul’s prayer in Colossians 1:9-12 and considering important characteristics of a God-honoring coach. In the last devotion, we discussed the first thing Paul prays for in v. 9: “We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will…” Those that honor the Lord are characterized by a deepening knowledge of God’s will. Paul goes on in his prayer in this verse, highlighting another quality: “…and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding.”God-honoring coaches are also wise and understanding.

In the Bible, wisdom is the ability to discern how to apply God’s truth in specific situations. Pastor and author Eugene Peterson puts it this way: “Wisdom is the art of living skillfully in whatever actual conditions we find ourselves.” When coupled with understanding, it emphasizes having clarity about how to live out God’s will and making good decisions based on this clarity. Wisdom and understanding are not mere intellectual traits. These qualities are demonstrated in practice: living out the Lord’s design for us day by day in all kinds of circumstances.

In v. 10, Paul reminds us of the goal: “Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord…” We cannot pursue this goal apart from growth in wisdom and understanding. And we cannot grow in these qualities unless we’re seeking them from the right source. Paul prays for “spiritual wisdom and understanding.” By “spiritual,” he means that which is given to us by the Holy Spirit. Let’s dig a little more into how this happens.

When we surrender our lives in faith to Jesus Christ—receiving the salvation from sin and the new life with him he makes possible for us through his life, death, and resurrection—Jesus gives us the Spirit to dwell within us. The Spirit’s ministry in us is primarily about pointing us to Christ and empowering us to become more like Jesus. This includes helping us understand and internalize God’s truth that he speaks through his Word, and then enabling us to apply God’s Word day by day. 

The wisdom and understanding that God gives us through his Spirit often differs from what the world says is wise or expedient. For example, the world promotes self-focus: looking out for yourself first and making sure you do what’s needed so you can get ahead. In contrast, the way of Christ is to sacrificially love others. Servant-hearted, others-focused actions is the wise way to live according to God’s Word. Another example: The world says that if other coaches are gaining a competitive advantage through bending the rules, you’ll fall behind if you don’t also do so. Since everyone’s doing it, it’s fine for you to do it. The Spirit, however, points us to how God’s Word elevates integrity: pursuing Christ-like character both in public and in private, no matter what those around us are doing. Proverbs, the wisdom book, says, “The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out” (Prov. 10:9).

When you coach with Spirit-given wisdom and understanding, you maximize your opportunities for influence for God’s kingdom. You help those you coach experience Christ and his good design for their lives. You make investments that matter for all eternity.

Keep praying for and pursuing growth in the wisdom and understanding that the Lord gives through his Spirit and his Word. It honors God when it can be said of you, “He/she is a wise coach.”

For reflection: Ask God to grow you in wisdom and understanding. Pray for greater responsiveness to his Spirit and his Word as the Lord transforms your mind, heart, and life.