Pastor's Corner: Lifelong wisdom

“Wisdom shouts in the streets. She cries out in the public square… Come and listen to my counsel. I’ll share my heart with you and make you wise.”(Proverbs 1:20, 23).

Wisdom in the Bible is available to all, but we must respond and receive it. Biblical wisdom is the practical application of biblical truth obeyed out of love and reverence for God that results in skillful, beneficial and productive righteous living in the world. Essentially, it is effectively living like Jesus Christ in the world.

Wisdom in the Bible covers all areas of life from speech to work to family to self-discipline. I recommend reading a chapter of Proverbs each day for a month and see how you grow in wisdom and its benefits.

All of Proverbs can be simplified down into two paths: the way of the fool and the way of the wise. There are many warnings and corrections for foolish behavior. The fool swims upstream against wisdom and will experience many self-inflicted hardships in life (Proverbs 13:20). Fools will always be enslaved to their sinful and short-term selfish desires, which is why they will make such bad decisions. Fools are impulsive, shooting from the hip, quickly trusting their own superficial understanding of situations, following their fickle hearts wherever they may lead (verses 10:14; 18:13; 28:26). Fools turn away from what could be valuable correction and instruction (verses 1:7b; 15:32; 26:4). Fools are self-deceived; they have a blind spot and a self-willed hardness against recognizing the foolishness of their choices and actions (verses 26:11; 27:22). Wisdom gives the warning: Consider your ways and listen to righteous wisdom that will lead to the salvation of your soul and redemption from a destructive life (1 Corinthians 1:18-2:16; Colossians 2:2-3; James 3:13-18).

A wise person does not need to stack up academic degrees or be well-read. Wisdom is available by reading and mastering one book: the Bible. Wisdom must be valued properly as more valuable than gold (Proverbs 8:11; 16:16). The first step is to pray that God will give you wisdom and help you apply it (James 1:5-8). The second step is to consistently read, study and reflect on biblical truth, especially Proverbs (Proverbs 1:5; 3:21-24; 4:20-22). Third is to observe what wisdom principles may apply in each situation and afterward take note of what was learned (19:20; 21:11).

A great motivator to keep in mind is the rewards of wisdom. Favor may be gained before God and before people. God is always watching and delights in those who pursue righteousness and wisdom (Proverbs 2:5-20). Honor may also be gained from those in the world as they cannot help but recognize righteousness and wisdom when they see it (Proverbs 3:35). Riches and success may be a blessing from God as a reward for wisdom being applied in life (verses 14:24a; 8:18; 22:4). Wisdom is a fountain of life and offers safety and protection (verses 2:11-12; 16:22). Wisdom will contribute to a long and fulfilling life (verse 4:10).

We have observed how relevant, applicable, and beneficial every principle of wisdom we learn is to our daily lives. God truly delights in His children living in righteous and wise ways and reaping good fruits as rewards to His glory.

”Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD. – Proverbs 16:20