Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance – for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. Proverbs 1:5-7
One Thing…
The Book of Proverbs is one of the most quoted, most read, and least followed books of the Bible. Proverbs seems to be speaking a warning to those who read it. Solomon actually wrote it for his son. Did you ever hear your parent say, “Let me tell you just one thing…” and then go on for an hour? This is Solomon saying, “One thing I will tell you…” and then he expands upon the one thing.What is the “One Thing?” Seek Wisdom above all things. The writer of Proverbs calls out to all who will hear to seek the beauty, prosperity and peace of wisdom.
The Book of Proverbs is one of the most quoted, most read, and least followed books of the Bible. Proverbs seems to be speaking a warning to those who read it. Solomon actually wrote it for his son. Did you ever hear your parent say, “Let me tell you just one thing…” and then go on for an hour? This is Solomon saying, “One thing I will tell you…” and then he expands upon the one thing.What is the “One Thing?” Seek Wisdom above all things. The writer of Proverbs calls out to all who will hear to seek the beauty, prosperity and peace of wisdom.
Because Proverbs is a biblical book, some people think wisdom is something “spiritual?” But Wisdom is not just spiritual in nature, it is practical. It is going to show itself in your life. There are a variety of words that are intermingled in Proverbs relating to wisdom. Knowledge, instruction, understanding, commandments, insight, learning, discernment, teaching...all carry insightful distinctions about wisdom. Information comes through the awareness of our senses as data which is retained as knowledge and used to develop understanding of our world, others and ourselves in relation to that world. Wisdom is the skill or ability to optimally apply understanding to produce right living and benefit ourselves, others and God. In essence, wisdom has to do with choosing what is right and good as we live our daily lives. Wisdom demands control of our passions so that reason and knowledge prevail to determine our actions.
Wisdom Comes From Truth
Truth: That which is considered to be the supreme unchangeable reality and to have the ultimate meaning and value of existence.
Truth: That which is considered to be the supreme unchangeable reality and to have the ultimate meaning and value of existence.
There are physical laws in life that you cannot supersede without penalty. Gravity is the most obvious. There are also biological, social, relational and spiritual laws that cannot be violated without loss. You cannot abuse your body, and have it function properly. You cannot kill or steal and not pay a consequence. You cannot abuse others and have fulfilling relationships. You cannot doubt God and have peace. These are truths. You won’t break them as much as they will break you. Parents and others seek to lead young lives to recognize and cooperate with truth. Fools believe they can ignore truth and succeed.
Truth Comes From God - "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge." Proverbs 1:7
Reverence: “The fear” This fear (reverence) for God is pivotal in our lives. If we do not come to God in submission and reverence, we reject wisdom. “Know that the Lord Himself is GOD!” Psalm 100:3a When we bow our knees to the person and purposes of God, He will replace our ugliness and despair with beauty and strength. He will teach us to live as victors. He can give us a life that bears the indelible mark of his wisdom, a life of optimism, conquest, happiness, usefulness. What God proposes to do with us only awaits our willingness to do it. If we do not know God, we cannot know the truth. Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. (John 14:6)
Reverence: “The fear” This fear (reverence) for God is pivotal in our lives. If we do not come to God in submission and reverence, we reject wisdom. “Know that the Lord Himself is GOD!” Psalm 100:3a When we bow our knees to the person and purposes of God, He will replace our ugliness and despair with beauty and strength. He will teach us to live as victors. He can give us a life that bears the indelible mark of his wisdom, a life of optimism, conquest, happiness, usefulness. What God proposes to do with us only awaits our willingness to do it. If we do not know God, we cannot know the truth. Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. (John 14:6)
The essence of wisdom is full knowledge, not only knowledge of the facts, but a knowledge of God Himself. You may have biblicalknowledge, but do you really have a knowledge of God? Once we gain knowledge of God, we must live our lives in this knowledge, staying close to Him. Then we can lean into that knowledge when making choices and important decisions in our lives.
