Wisdom: Don't You Need Some?

Proverbs 2:10-22

Message No. 0572 | Twitter @GodandUs | www.wisdom-speaks.ca

In Proverbs chapter 4 verse 7, the Bible says:

Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all your getting, get understanding.

And in James 1:5, the Bible further says:

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

When I was growing up, I learned of the adage which says ‘Those who are killed by foolishness are plenty, and only a few are killed by wisdom. There is no shortage of content both in and outside of the Bible concerning wisdom, but what is wisdom? The dictionary struggles to define the word, but a combination of many definitions drive the meaning home. While one defines it as “the quality of having experience, knowledge and good judgement,” another says “wisdom is the soundness of an action or decision with regard to the application of experience, knowledge and good judgement.” When I was younger, I was told that wisdom was, simply put, “the application of knowledge.”

If you asked for my opinion, I would say that wisdom is the ability to discern the right judgement, which may or may not align with your own will, and, in line with God’s Words, to act on it. Now, the right judgement might be influenced by knowledge and/or, by the Holy Spirit, but it’s important to know that you cannot shoot from an empty barrel. This is the reason it is important to seek wisdom.

There’s no way to overemphasize the importance of wisdom in the lives of human beings. In particular, God’s children need wisdom to stay above the prevailing deception of the enemy in our world today. In Proverbs 2:10-13, the Bible says:

When wisdom enters your heart, And knowledge is pleasant to your soul, Discretion will preserve you; Understanding will keep you, To deliver you from the way of evil, From the man who speaks perverse things, From those who leave the paths of uprightness To walk in the ways of darkness;

Many of our daily decisions require wisdom. I know of an agent who sweetens his mouth too much when he is selling to you. You’ll hear things like, imagine how great! This is no-brainer! How wonderful! Etc. When I hear things like these from a sales agent, something rings in my brain that he or she does not have my best interest at heart – he just wants to sell. Wisdom immediately tells me to be very careful in considering the product or to look for another agent. If you jump at it without due consideration, you might later regret your action.

It’s the same consideration when boys are talking to young girls. They sweeten their tongues and call you the sugar in their tea, the butter in their bread, the honey in their life, they cannot live without you, the day you say no, they will die, and all the lies of ages past. When they have what they want, they start to show you their real behavior and it is often too late for you to discover that you have sold yourself cheaply and made a big mistake. This is one of the reasons there are so many single mothers in our societies, with men having children through several women and with children growing up without father figures in their lives.

The most important decisions of our lives are things that are final or fairly permanent – things you cannot wake up the next morning and change your mind. If you die without accepting Christ, you cannot wake up at the Judgement Seat and change your mind, so it will be the greatest mistake of life to die without Christ. Similarly, the Bible says that God hates divorce, so before you say yes to that girl or that boy, you must be absolutely sure that you are operating within the will of God and will not find out, after few weeks of marriage, that you have been deceived, have been taken for a fool and have made a terrible mistake, a mistake of a lifetime.

No, in the life of a child of God, wisdom cannot be overemphasized. In Proverbs 8:10-11, the Bible says:

Receive my instruction, and not silver, And knowledge rather than choice gold; For wisdom is better than rubies, And all the things one may desire cannot be compared with her.

And in Proverbs 3:1-2, the Bible says:

My son, do not forget my law, But let your heart keep my commands; For length of days and long life And peace they will add to you.

So, do you not need some wisdom? I know I do. As much as possible, it is good to adopt the principle which says when in doubt, the first answer is No. This gives room to step back and pray and consider the consequences of what you are about to do. If the results will be final or fairly permanent, then please be extremely careful. I pray that our God will help us all to act with wisdom and discretion all the days of our lives. As you step out this week, may God’s wisdom guide your steps and may you listen to the leading of the Holy Spirit in all you do, in Jesus’ name. Amen. Have a blessed week!

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 Lord I know that I am a sinner and I am unable to save myself. I am sorry for my sins and I pray that you please forgive me. I am aware that Your Son Jesus died for my sins and I accept Him as my Lord and savior. I surrender my life unto you from this moment. Please take control of my entire being and help me to be obedient to your Word, going forward. Thank you, Lord, for hearing me. I have prayed in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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