Wisdom – How To Get It (Daily Encouragement)
Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning – Proverbs 9:9
Yesterday we looked at the call to get wisdom at all cost – to pursue it. Today we will look at six marks of and means of growing in wisdom from Proverbs chapter 3* (I shared them in the week 1 sermon on the Way of Wisdom). These “avenues” are a continual, on-going, daily process that allow us to grow in wisdom over a lifetime.
Trust in the Lord – Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding (3:5) It is un-wise to put our ultimate trust in things other than God – the Bible calls them idols. Identify things – career, self, family, wealth, etc. – you functionally trust in more than God. Turn from them to Him.
Submit to God – In all your ways acknowledge Him and he will make your paths straight (3:6) In all your ways – in every area of life – allow God’s word to guide and shape you and what you do. The book of Proverbs explores practically every area.
Be teachable – Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones (3:7-8) Fools are wise in their own eyes – they won’t take input. The gospel frees us to to acknowledge our need for help and allows us to know God loves us and wants what is best for us.
Be generous – Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all you produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine. (3:9-10) An inordinate love of money and confidence in its power blinds us from true wisdom. The best way to break the power is to be generous with it and give lots of it away.
Learn from Adversity – My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline or be weary of his reproof, for the LORD reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights. (3:11-12) A mark of wisdom is to be ready for and learn from suffering – allow it to drive you toward God into greater love and strength instead of away from him into hardness of heart.
Do Justice – Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it. Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come again, tomorrow I will give it”—when you have it with you. (3:27-28) Giving practical aid for those in need helps us grow in wisdom because it forces us to see the complexity of the world, have compassion and bring restoration.
Ultimately, we get wisdom from the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:24). As we look to Him, it compels us to trust in God, submit to God, be teachable, be generous, learn from adversity and do justice.
*Adapted from Tim Keller’s God’s Wisdom for Navigating Life, p. 22-27