Wouldn’t you love some help figuring out how to have a better relationship with your kids? How about knowing how to avoid fights with your spouse or navigate tensions with your team at school or work? The secret sauce to this kind of life is wisdom – wisdom that guides us toward living better, more fulfilling lives.
Most people want wisdom because we want to do things right. We aim to be good parents, great friends, trustworthy colleagues, and wise individuals. Yet, many of us don’t know where to start. We want wisdom, but we’re not sure how to get it. This brings us to two essential questions: Why do we need wisdom, and how do we find it?
Why Do We Need Wisdom?
The key to breaking out of bad relationship cycles, having less anxiety, and fewer regrets is God’s wisdom, made available to us in the Bible. A lot of that wisdom is found in the book of Proverbs. This book, full of helpful, challenging, and encouraging nuggets of advice, gives us a lot of what we need to live life well. Here’s how the beginning of Proverbs sets everything up:
"These are the proverbs of Solomon, David’s son, king of Israel. Their purpose is to teach people wisdom and discipline, to help them understand the insights of the wise. Their purpose is to teach people to live disciplined and successful lives, to help them do what is right, just, and fair. These proverbs will give insight to the simple, knowledge and discernment to the young. Let the wise listen to these proverbs and become even wiser. Let those with understanding receive guidance by exploring the meaning in these proverbs and parables, the words of the wise and their riddles." Proverbs 1:1-6
From this passage, we learn that wisdom leads us toward:
- The ability to do what is right, just, and fair
- Insight, knowledge, and discernment
Think about it – who do you want to be? What do you want to be known for? Disciplined or undisciplined? Regretful or resilient? Someone who steps up against injustice or someone who walks away? Understanding, just, and fair, or not?
Wisdom is the key to living the best life and leaving a legacy worth remembering, and we know it’s available to us in the Bible. So how do we get the most out of it?
How Do We Get Wisdom?
Proverbs 2:2-8 gives us three practical steps for gaining wisdom:
1. Tune your ears to wisdom
Wisdom is like a compass – it always points to True North, and you’ll never get lost with one. But you have to actually look at the compass to make sure you’re going in the right direction. Just like wandering around the forest with your compass in your pocket, God’s wisdom does nothing for us if we aren’t regularly making sure we’re in alignment with it. The surest way to make sure you’re staying in-step with God’s wisdom is to read it regularly. If you’re new to reading the Bible or want to amp up your habit, check out these tips for how to study the Bible.
2. Ask God for understanding
Even with so many different translations of the Bible at our disposal, it can sometimes be tricky to understand what it says.
But you’re not on your own. James 1:5 gives us some valuable encouragement: “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.”
God doesn’t roll his eyes at your questions – he welcomes them, and he’s happy to give you clarity when you need it. All you need to do is pray and ask him for understanding!
3. Search for wisdom like you would for treasure
Sometimes the reason we miss out on all the wisdom the Bible has to offer us is because we lose sight of how valuable it is. Don’t treat the Bible like something you’re supposed to read just to check it off for the day – remember that the Bible is inspired by God, something useful and valuable for our lives, and the key to living out God’s purpose (2 Timothy 3:16-17). How could that mindset change the way you think about and explore the Bible?
What is the fear of the Lord?
In regard to wisdom, you may have heard this passage from Proverbs 1:7: "Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline." But “fear” in this context is often misunderstood. What does “fear of the Lord” mean?
The "fear of the Lord" is often misunderstood as a fear of punishment or a sense of impending doom. However, a deeper look into the concept reveals that "fear" in this context implies respect and awe.
Think of it this way: the God of the universe, who created all life and holds it together, is also the God who knows the number of hairs on your head and the desires of your heart. He is both powerful and personal.
All knowledge and wisdom stem from total dependence on God – and “fear” is recognizing that without God we have nothing. This kind of fear leads to humility and a willingness to listen to God rather than relying solely on our own judgment. True wisdom starts when we realize we don’t know it all and humble ourselves before God, moving our dependence from ourselves to him.
Who do you want to be?
What’s your future self going to say about you? Which direction are you going to start walking? Toward wisdom or away from it? Toward regret or peace? Toward a respect and awe of God or relying on yourself?
Believing in and respecting God’s guidance, following his direction, and submitting to his wisdom is where life and joy are found. Choose wisdom. Choose to walk in the direction that leads to a life well-lived and decisions you’ll be glad you made.
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Ready to dive into the book of Proverbs and uncover all of the wisdom it has to offer? Start here with our Bible Reading Plan where you’ll read a chapter of Proverbs each day.
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