We have given much thought to the subject of wisdom and taken time to hear the counsel of ancient Israel’s wisest teachers. This discipline undoubtedly supplied you with lots of helpful information. Such knowledge is a good beginning, but I hope you won’t be satisfied with mere knowledge of the Bible. My first suggestion for becoming wise might seem obvious or maybe even redundant. Nevertheless, I stand by it.
- Read the book of Proverbs regularly.
The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel:
To know wisdom and instruction,
To discern the sayings of understanding,
To receive instruction in wise behavior,
Righteousness, justice and equity;
To give prudence to the naive, To the youth knowledge and discretion,
A wise man will hear and increase in learning,
And a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel,
To understand a proverb and a figure,
The words of the wise and their riddles.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge;
Fools despise wisdom and instruction. (1:1–7)
The book of Proverbs has thirty-one chapters, making it a nice fit for a monthly read-through. You can read a chapter each day in a typical month. There is no mumbo jumbo, no complex theology to unscramble, no abstract theories to unravel. Proverbs is straight talk for all of us who live imperfect lives on planet earth. Furthermore, since Solomon declared that his writings have been recorded to help us “know wisdom,” I suggest we take him up on it and glean new dimensions of wisdom by sitting at his feet.
Read Proverbs regularly and often, but don’t merely review the information. Apply the principles and observe their impact on your life as you live them out. Most important, read prayerfully. Ask God to reveal mysteries to you through the ministry of His Holy Spirit. Ask Him to reveal yourself to you. As you discover your own sinfulness, shortcomings, woundedness, and spiritual needs, ask for His guidance and healing. As time passes and the Spirit of God applies His Word, you will become increasingly wise.
From Living the Proverbs by Charles R. Swindoll, copyright © 2012. Reprinted by permission of Worthy Inspired., an imprint of Hachette Book Group, Inc.
Used with permission. All rights reserved.
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