If education and reading a library full of books could have made us wiser, we should have seen it by now. However, we see the opposite. We may have gained much head knowledge and information, but it has not made us any wiser or given us a better understanding. People have a hard time getting along with each other, and there are misunderstandings everywhere. So how do we gain the kind of wisdom that helps us to live a life of peace, stability, and understanding!? The Lord’s answer has not changed; it is simple yet powerful!
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. Proverbs 9:10
Wisdom calls aloud outside;
She raises her voice in the open squares.
She cries out in the chief concourses,
At the openings of the gates in the city
She speaks her words:
“How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity?
For scorners delight in their scorning,
And fools hate knowledge. Proverbs 1:20-22
Then they will call on me, but I will not answer;
They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me.
Because they hated knowledge
And did not choose the fear of the Lord,
They would have none of my counsel
And despised my every rebuke.
Therefore they shall eat the fruit of their own way,
And be filled to the full with their own fancies.
For the turning away of the simple will slay them,
And the complacency of fools will destroy them;
But whoever listens to me will dwell safely,
And will be secure, without fear of evil.” Proverbs 1:28-33
When we are in the right reverential relationship with God, we will begin to gain wisdom and understanding. We don’t need to be a highly educated person or have theological degrees. It also does not require us reading all sorts of books by variety of experts. We just need simple and genuine faith that is submitted to the will of God and desires to know Him. The Lord has made wisdom and understanding available to us when we choose to go to Him and ask them for it.
God is the author of life, and He desires to share His heart with us. We gain His heart by rightly relating to God and having awe and reverence for Him. In the natural, parents impart wisdom to their children through their relationship with them. Similarly, God desires to do life with us and teach us wisdom relationally as we look to our Holy God who knows all things.
The world’s message is antithetical to what the Bible teaches us and it is taking people in the opposite direction. We have become a culture that relies on education and information thinking that those things are the answers to life, peace, and prosperity. People spend large amounts of money to further their education and, sometimes amassing large debts, for the sole purpose of getting a degree, gaining more head knowledge, and attaining prestige. However, their efforts have not brought about peace with God nor have they produced wisdom and understanding.
The majority of our educational systems have pushed God out of the conversation and replaced it with the ideology of elites who spout off their humanistic ideas derailing people from the ways of God and the purposes of God. The believers are also the consumers of these secular and, in some cases, demonic ideologies.
God’s wisdom is available freely to those seek Him and desire to walk with Him. The Lord speaks to those who desire to listen. He is a good father who rebukes and provides counsel to His children. The book of James tells us that if we ask God for wisdom, He is going to give it to us generously without finding fault (See James 1:5).
The above passage (Proverbs 1:28-33) tells us that those who do not seek the Lord hate knowledge! There are many people who think they are gaining knowledge, but they are going in the opposite direction heaping up folly in their lives. The scripture tells us that God will allow people to see the fruit of their own ways. So when God is silent, it does not mean He is happy with what is going on. Sometimes, He is quiet, so we can see the error of our ways. If people insist on their own ways, God will allow them to see the fruit of their choices. That is not necessarily a punishment but people reaping what they have sown. Praise God that He is merciful and patient with humanity and gives people time to repent!
Do you need the wisdom of God in your life!? Are you in need of greater understanding to help you be at peace with God and with those around you!? Cultivate a reverential fear of the Lord that allows you to gain wisdom and understanding in life. When we approach God with humility, it will open the door for us to receive from Him what He has for us. The fear of the Lord will cause us to do more listening and less talking.
People are looking for sources of knowledge and understanding in all the wrong places, but, in reality, they are in desperate need of the wisdom of God. I encourage you to lead others to the true source of wisdom and understanding. Help people see the significance and the value of having a healthy fear of the Lord that will fill their lives with blessings!
This is a great encouragement. I have many theology books that have been stacking up waiting for me to read them so I can be a better servant of God. I am 60 and have been a Christian for all of my adult life and I have not been actively sharing the magnificent message of the Gospel. I have been fearful because I feel that I am not knowledgeable enough to share accurately. I am also fearful of man — rejection and/or negative responses. Well, enough of that. I choose to fear God and ask Him for wisdom and guidance to be effective in sharing the wonderful gift of eternal salvation and all that it entails for living here on earth.
Praise God! Thanks for sharing Susan. Amen!