Get Wisdom

“Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or swerve from them. Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you.  Wisdom is supreme, therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding” (Proverbs 4:5-7).

The Bible is the book of Wisdom: The most obvious source of Godly wisdom is the Bible. For every life circumstance there is a Biblical application. The Bible is full of principles that develop Godly character that produces proper conduct and conversation. “If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you; if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer” (Proverbs 9:12).

·         Learn it and do it: We can all recall times when we didn’t respond wisely. Those incidents can be traced back to one of two possibilities. Either we didn’t know a certain biblical principle or we knew the principle that applied but chose to ignore or violate it. “Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not ignore it” (Proverbs 8:33). To ensure that we are familiar with God’s standards and the importance of following them, we’ve got to dig into His Word. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5).

·         Be Obedient: Suppose a person at your work assaults you verbally with for a costly mistake even though it wasn’t your fault. Your flesh and the world would have you respond in kind with anger and malice. The Bible offers a different approach that might go something like this: “Is there anything else? Thank you for telling me how you feel”. “But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you” (Luke 6:27-28). Not easy to do, never-the-less, that’s what the Bible tells us to do, so we should not ignore it. “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” (Luke 6:46).

·         Understanding is Application: Knowledge comes from learning biblical principles and wisdom has to do with applying them. “But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it-he will be blessed in what he does” (James 1:25). The Lord cautions us to keep His Word in our heart and in our heads so that we will heed His instructions. “I have hidden your Word in my heart that I might not sin against you” (Psalm 119:11).

We get wisdom as we pursue the Christian life. As we read the Bible, do what it says, and observing the result, is for our good even when consequences are often less than favorable. Special classes aren’t required; God simply wants obedient hearts and a willing spirit.