Sometimes I think wisdom in today's world is a lost commodity. I think that fools get more attention than the wise... and folly is portrayed more than prudence!
What an upside down world! And that is right... we live in an upside down world.
The Bible, and especially the book of Proverbs, has much to say about the fool and the wise or prudent...
The very purpose of the book of Proverbs is...
That people may know skillful and godly wisdom and instruction
To discern and comprehend the words of understanding and insight,
Receive instruction in wise dealings and the discipline of wise thoughtfulness, righteousness, justice and integrity,
That prudence may be given to the simple and knowledge, discretion and discernment to the youth-
The wise will also hear and increase in learning, and the person of understanding will acquire skills and attain to sound counsel (so that he may able to steer his course rightly)~ Pro 1: 2-5
Let those thoughts from God sink in... Proverbs is a book to make the a person wise... to make them wise in practical everyday wisdom! And to make a wise person's wisdom increase.
Before we go any further, it's important to define wisdom as God sees it... There is a big difference between knowledge and wisdom!
Knowledge is to have understanding or information about something. I like to think of it residing in the "head". Wisdom is taking that knowledge and letting it seep into every part of us... it is the ability of applying that knowledge to our DAILY life! Wisdom is the daily practice of knowledge in practical ways. Wisdom is taking what God says and applying it to our lives!
When each of my children turned 13 I asked them to read a chapter of the book of Proverbs a day until they graduated from high school. But not just read over it like a fiction novel, but spend a little time each day digging out God's truth and wisdom in it! I asked them to apply it to their lives!
There are 31 chapters in Proverbs... so that meant that they would read the book of Proverbs 12 times in a year... and by the time they had graduated high school they would have read it over 60 times!
My children carried on this practice well beyond high school!
Proverbs is a the instruction book for becoming wise...
How blessed (happy, fortunate, enviable) is the man who finds skillful and godly wisdom, and the man who gets understanding (drawing it forth from God's word and life's experiences), for gaining of it is better than gaining silver, and the profit of it better than fine gold.
Skillful and godly wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you can wish for is to be compared to her (wisdom). Proverbs 3:13-15
There is so much practical, everyday, walking-around-on-the path-of-life wisdom in Proverbs! Yes, it was written thousands of years ago and it is in the language and customs of the one God chose to be His scribe... but it is as relevant today as it was during the reign of King Solomon!
Here is just a sampling of God's practical wisdom...
Watch over your heart (the seat of your mind, will, emotion and intellect) with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flows the springs of life. Prov 4:23
Poor is he who works with a negligent hand, but the hand of the diligent makes rich. Pro 10:4
As a ring of gold in a swine's snout, So is a beautiful woman who lacks discretion. Pro 11:22
Folly is joy to him who lacks sense, But a man of understanding walks straight. Pro 15:21
An arrogant man stirs up strife, But the man who trusts in the Lord will prosper. Pro 29:25
Those who guard their mouths and their tongues guard themselves from trouble. Pro 21:21
God has given us His instruction book for life... the Bible. And within it's pages lie life, blessings and wisdom!
Tucked close to the center of the bible is the little book of Proverbs, a small book but full of godly practical wisdom!
How about you ... do you want to live wisely in a world of folly? Then here's my challenge to you...
Read a chapter of Proverbs everyday. Let the words sink in. Find out what each proverb mean and above all put them into practice in your life. You will reap a life of godly wisdom and it will touch all those around you!
If you don't have a bible you can find the book of Proverbs on line HERE
If you would like to read Proverbs daily I suggest the Amplified bible to begin. It is easy to read in today's language and gives definition of many important words.
Here is a little gem of wisdom from today's Proverb...
Hear counsel, receive instruction, and accept correction, that you may be wise in the time to come. Pro 19:20
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