I absolutely love your most recent blog post! I really like that it covers so much while also being straightforward. I noticed there were two topics you covered under the subject of wisdom.
1. Sources of wisdom, and
2. The choices we have.
Sources of wisdom:
You brought up a passage from Proverbs that states that the whole book is dedicated to teaching "wisdom and discipline". I also quite enjoyed the part about giving "knowledge and discernment to the young". This sounds like I could benefit quite a bit from reading Proverbs. As can I!
The other thing I noticed is the use of "discernment". While wisdom is important, it is also necessary to use that wisdom to make choices. I definitely need to work on discernment, and wisdom is a good starting point. "Fear of the LORD is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline". Yes, pursuing a relationship with the LORD and learning from His Word are worthy pursuits.
In addition to Proverbs/the Bible being sources of wisdom, you discussed the importance of listening/learning from your parents, "My son, listen when your father corrects you. Don't neglect your mother's instruction. What you learn from them will crown you with grace and be a chain of honor around your neck." My family has an interesting dynamic, and maybe it would do me good to try and be intentional about spending time with them. As for my parents, my relationship with each of them will likely be mutually exclusive, but hearing what they have to say could be beneficial to grow in wisdom? Parents have had a lifetime of experiences, and their fair share of mistakes from which they have learned. We often disregard our parents, feeling that their "wisdom" doesn't fit with our generation. However, their insights are invaluable If these parents have also spent a lifetime studying the Bible, they will have Biblical wisdom and knowledge with which to counsel you.
Two choices:
You mentioned the idea of having two voices, one bad and one good, and that, "the voices aren't always this easy to spot" and I couldn't agree more. Complacency plays a role in this. My self-satisfaction causes me to be blind to my own ignorance, which is a dangerous place to be; "Fools are destroyed by their own complacency. Self-satisfaction is a destructive force; when we are smug about ourselves, we no longer listen, learn, or proceed with caution. The antidote is maintaining a healthy self-perspective by immersing ourselves in God's Word.
But all who listen to me will live in peace, untroubled by fear or harm." God promises if we obey, we will be untroubled by fear or harm, but at what cost?? You are right; there is a cost. However, if you trust the character of God, you know that whatever the cost, the venture is safe and the outcome is assured. This is called "counting the cost". Is it worth it? I can tell you "YES!" but truthfully you will have to find that for yourself.
I am also quite concerned at the personification of wisdom? The threats seem very intense, "So I will laugh when you are in trouble! I will mock you when disaster overtakes you like a storm, when disaster engulfs you like a cyclone, and anguish and distress overwhelm you". That is all very harsh. Yes, this is intimidating. There have been many (too many) times in my life when I proceeded without wisdom, and the results were disastrous. When we get ourselves into trouble, we will know that mocking voice. It is indeed quite humbling. Yet again, if this causes us to learn and to turn, wisdom will have benefited us, even in mocking.
Once again thank you for putting all the time and thought into these posts, and I look forward to hearing what you have to say. As usual, I am quite lost. It is my pleasure and my privilege. You are always in my thoughts and prayers.
Much thanks.
I apologize for the length of this blog. I wanted to address your comments and questions (above), but I also want to direct you to the next section of Proverbs so that we can continue the pursuit of wisdom (below).
Hey, Mrs. Kurtz. This is a weird, vague question with no context, but what can I do to be better and have a good life when I am older and stay happy?
Dear Friend, As I said before, I love your question!
Let's continue our study of the Proverbs to deepen our understanding of this question.
My son, listen to what I say,
and treasure my commands.
Tune your ears to wisdom,
and concentrate on understanding.
Cry out for insight,
and ask for understanding.
Search for them as you would for silver;
seek them like hidden treasures.
Did you notice the language of listening? treasure, tune, concentrate, cry out, ask, search, seek, hidden treasures
What we need, what we should want (or should want to want) is not a quick answer, nor a simple solution. It requires a relentless pursuit. This is the language of a lifetime journey, not an overnight jaunt. Or, in the terms of a runner, this is a cross-country race, not a 50 yard dash.
If we want to find joy and peace, if we want to be "successful" in life, we will pursue wisdom all our lives, with all our heart, and with all our strength.
And what/Who is the source of that wisdom?
Then you will understand what it means to fear the LORD,
and you will gain knowledge of God.
For the LORD grants wisdom!
From His mouth come knowledge and understanding.
Ah, here is our answer: the LORD is our source. He alone is wise and just and right. He alone can give us the treasure that truly satisfy.
Did you notice--our wisdom grants us a new perspective: fear of the LORD. We don't fear Him because He is evil or malicious; rather, we fear the LORD because He is the source of all life, all wisdom, all knowledge. Without Him, we cannot, we are not. WOW! We should be trembling before Him!
If we want to be wise, we will seek the LORD, and seek Him only.
He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest.
He is a shield to those who walk with integrity.
He guards the path of the just
and protects those who are faithful to Him.
Again, I am reminded of the words of Micah 6:8, "No, o people, the LORD has told you what is good, and this is what He requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God."
As we grow in wisdom, our wisdom should bring forth attitudes and actions in keeping with the character of God. We don't add wisdom just so that we can write profound sayings; rather, we grow in our knowledge that we may be transformed.
"Rather, you must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 3:18)
"And so dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all He has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice--the kind He will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship Him. Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect." (Romans 12:1-2)
Isn't it exciting that what the Old Testament proclaims,
the New Testament also exclaims?!
Then you will understand what is right, just and fair,
and you will find the right way to go.
For wisdom will enter your heart,
and knowledge will fill you with joy.
The secret to a happy life is a
lifetime, relentless pursuit of wisdom,
acquired through a
lifetime, relentless pursuit of a relationship with God.
"but the angel reassured them, 'Don't be afraid!' he said. 'I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior--yes, the Messiah, the Lord--has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!" (Luke 2:10-11)
"But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! (Galatians 5:22-23)
Wise choices will watch over you.
Understanding will keep you safe.
Wisdom will save you from evil people,
from those whose words are twisted.
These men turn from the right way
to walk down dark paths.
They take pleasure in doing wrong,
and they enjoy the twisted ways of evil.
Their actions are crooked,
and their ways are wrong.
Wisdom will save you from the immoral woman,
from the seductive words of the promiscuous woman.
She has abandoned her husband
and ignores the covenant she made before God.
Entering her house leads to death;
it is the road to the grave.
The man who visits her is doomed.
He will never reach the paths of life.
Life is hard. Temptations surround us. Decisions plague us each day. We choose, moment by moment, to follow the Lord. We determine that our relationship with Him is of more valuable than any earthly pursuit.
Wisdom will save us. This wisdom, available in God's Word, will guide our paths, and will protect us from the evil influences around us. Wisdom, remember, is not a vague concept, but rather the abundant insight gained as we relentlessly pursue our relationship with the Lord and deepen our knowledge of His Word.
So follow the steps of the good,
and stay on the paths of the righteous.
For only the godly will live in the land,
and those with integrity will remain in it.
But the wicked will be removed from the land,
and the treacherous will be uprooted. (Proverbs 2)
What better summary can I give to this chapter of Proverbs?
Heavenly Father, You have clearly identified the way of right, the way of wisdom, the way of life, the way of peace, the way of joy. We have a choice to make. Will You enable us to make the right choice, moment by moment?
True joy comes only from one Source!
- What is the cost?
- Is this an "all-in" venture, or can someone invest partially?
- What is the scariest risk that you have ever taken? Why did you take it?
- How are "earthly wisdom" and "heavenly wisdom" different? (You may want to check out the book of James. Chapter 3 has a lot to say about different kinds of wisdom, but the entire book is a perspective on wisdom.)
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