A Wise Man
A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels: To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings. ~Proverbs 1:5-6
Today is the beginning of a New Year! We start our new year by setting goals, making resolutions, and adopting better practices in our lives. We will set goals to exercise, read more books, plan our vacation, and to be a better person. However, as we start a new year, it would do us well to make it our goal to pursue biblical wisdom. Wisdom is knowledge that we acquire through experience, observation, teaching, and carefulness. It is the ability to solve problems and keep your cool at the same time. It is being prudent about the responsibilities, relationships, and risks we have in life. Let us see what it means to be a wise man.
There is the procuring of wisdom.
Proverbs 1 challenges us to make the acquiring of wisdom our priority. Notice we are encouraged to know, to perceive, and to receive. Wisdom gives subtilty to the simple and to the young man knowledge and discretion. Solomon goes on by saying, “A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels.” If we want to make choices that are for our benefit, we need wisdom. If we want to avoid making the same mistakes that other people have made, we need wisdom. When we come to a fork in the road, we need wisdom. A wise man will hear and increase in learning.
There is the principle in wisdom.
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge.” The starting point in acquiring wisdom is our attitude and relationship to God. Our obedience, worship, and glorification of God is the practice of the fear of the Lord. A man’s fear of the Lord reveals the extent of his wisdom. When the true challenges and storms of life come our way, our true fear of the Lord comes out. Do you have a genuine fear of the Lord? Do you just live your life on a routine timeline and believe that your routine depicts a fear of the Lord? The fear of the Lord is simply putting God first in everything you do. It is asking God for permission before taking any steps.
There is the protest against wisdom.
"But fools despise wisdom and instruction." Solomon laments about the turning away of the simple and naïve from the cry of wisdom. Wisdom and its required path are despised and rejected by those who live their life their way instead of the way God says to. Adam and Eve received wisdom in the Garden of Eden to not eat of the forbidden tree. However, they wanted to “become like God” and sadly disobeyed the Lord. Those who despise wisdom also despise spiritual authority. The protest against wisdom is described as follows: “Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded.” Are you protesting against wisdom?
There is the protection in wisdom.
We must heed the call of wisdom to separate ourselves from associations, lifestyles, and relationships that are ungodly and unprofitable. Solomon said, “Consent thou not... Walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path.” Wisdom is the signage warning us of impending danger. There is protection in wisdom.
As we start this New Year, make it your foremost goal to pursue God’s wisdom every day. Examine your fear of the Lord. Let the Lord show you where you are not obedient and self-willed. Determine to pull away from associations that are taking you down a wrong direction.
Have a wisdom-filled God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Genesis 1-3