Proverbs 4.5-7
“Get wisdom; get insight; do not forget, and do not turn away from the words of my mouth. 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.”
The biblical discipline of wisdom is practical knowledge that helps us know how to respond to the many different situations we experience in life. In that regard, the bible is teaching and instruction on how to apply E+R=O (Event + Response = Outcome) in your life.
Wisdom is the ability to manage your R Factor skillfully according to God’s standards. It is essential for an effective and fruitful Christian life. A deep relationship with Jesus is necessary for access to the wisdom of God. Colossians 2:3 tells us that in Jesus “all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden.”
Godly wisdom is not magically infused into our lives. Rather, it is learned and developed. Wisdom is born from the following elements:
Deep and abiding trust in Christ. Proverbs tells us that “the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom.” And James tells us to ask God for wisdom, and to do so without doubt. Paul understood the link between prayer and wisdom: “We have not ceased to pray for you, that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding” (Colossians 1.9).
A heart that knows and seeks to obey the word of God. Jesus said in Matthew 7, “Everyone who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house upon a rock.” Psalm 19 says, “The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.”
The habit of reflecting deeply on life experience. God has designed his universe to give the test first and the lesson afterward. Experience can be a great teacher, but only if you reflect on it. Experience is inevitable; learning is optional. Psalm 90:12 says, “So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.”
The discipline to observe and think before acting. Proverbs 14.29: “Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly.” Proverbs 25.28: “A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.
A spirit of humility. Proverbs 11:2: “When pride comes, then comes disgrace; but with the humble is wisdom.” Psalms 25:9: “He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way.”
The humility element cannot be emphasized strongly enough. Scripture explicitly warns against seeking wisdom only in yourself.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.” (Proverbs 3.5-7).
“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death” (Proverbs 16.25).
Trust God and do the work to seek wisdom.
