She opens her mouth with wisdom,
and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. ~ Proverbs 31:26
It is a gift to be around a wise person. And yet the surprising truth is that the wisest people are not the ones who “know it all” but are in fact humble learners themselves. We understand all too well that while most people grow older, only some grow wiser! Gaining wisdom is no guarantee!
How, then, can we gain wisdom?
Be ready to learn
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge;
fools despise wisdom and instruction. ~ Proverbs 1:7
Listen to advice and accept instruction,
that you may gain wisdom in the future. ~ Proverbs 19:20
I love that word “accept.” So often, we want only to reject or dismiss instruction! Surely, the preacher’s sermon was for those “other” turkeys, not me! Scripture’s sage counsel is for those “other” people!
And yet, God’s wisdom can only be found in the readiness of a heart to listen to His instruction and correction.
Persevere in seeking
My son, if you receive my words
and treasure up my commandments with you,
making your ear attentive to wisdom
and inclining your heart to understanding;
yes, if you call out for insight
and raise your voice for understanding,
if you seek it like silver
and search for it as for hidden treasures,
then you will understand the fear of the Lord
and find the knowledge of God. ~ Proverbs 2:1-5
Seeking wisdom is no leisure activity. There are no tanning beds where we can merely absorb the rays of wisdom, nor will there be Amazon packages of it delivered to our door! Wisdom must be sought continually.
I love those who love me,
and those who seek me diligently find me. ~ Proverbs 8:17
But we also hold God’s promise that when we do seek His wisdom, we can find it!
Learn the right things
I have stored up your word in my heart,
that I might not sin against you. ~ Psalm 119:11
Let them not escape from your sight;
keep them within your heart.
For they are life to those who find them,
and healing to all their flesh. ~ Proverbs 4:21-22
When we begin to hold His teaching in our hearts, we not only become purer, we find that God’s words become life, instead of the darkness and decay that sin always brings.
Seek out the Master Teacher
For the Lord gives wisdom;
from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;
he stores up sound wisdom for the upright;
he is a shield to those who walk in integrity ~ Proverbs 2:6-7
There may be many wise people we can learn from, but the Lord will always be the master teacher. After all, He is the author of wisdom. By wisdom, He created all the intricate details of life. By wisdom, he called the stars into existence. And by His wisdom, we must learn to live.
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him ~ James 1:5
Photo by Alex Shute on Unsplash
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