Do you want to be wiser? Do you want biblical, simple-to-remember principles to walk in wisdom? Are there certain things that always characterize wisdom? Lately, I have been trying to be more intentional about walking in wisdom, not just with big decisions but with everyday things. After another round of reading Proverbs, I was encouraged by these 3 things: 1) God desires to give us Wisdom in abundance, 2) Wisdom is not fast food, and 3) there are (at least) 4 things that always characterize wisdom/wise decisions.

Got Wisdom?

A woman is standing in the middle of a loud and crowded market, yelling at the top of her lungs for your attention. The woman is God’s Wisdom. The noise is sin, the world, and your flesh. This how the book of Proverbs describes wisdom. She ‘crying aloud in the street’, ‘calling’, and ‘raising her voice’ for all to hear (Proverbs 1:20; 8:1, ESV). And ‘If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.’ (James 1:5, ESV). Clearly, God’s will is to give us plenty of wisdom. Wisdom wants to be found. She is readily available for those who search for her. Why then does it often feel like Wisdom is playing hard to get? I (very) frequently pray for wisdom (I suspect you do too) but most of the time I walk away wondering if I ‘got’ any, if God’s promise in James 1:5 was fulfilled, and if I got wiser in the last 10 minutes.

Not Fast Food

The problem with this line of thinking is treating wisdom as fast food. The promise in James 1:5 is that God will give wisdom to the one who asks. It does not define a timeline. Any serious reading of wisdom literature in the bible reveals that wisdom is characterized by pondering, carefully thinking about and through decisions (Proverbs 4:26; 5:6;15:28, ESV). Sometimes we do get ‘instant’ wisdom from God about decisions but more often than not God will equip us with the tools we need and walk with us as we ponder our path.

4 Pillars

It is a good habit to read Proverbs regularly. The more we do, the more, by God’s Spirit, we get a hold of what it means to walk in wisdom. Last week, as I was listening/reading Proverbs, 4 main themes jumped at me. The author(s) keeps emphasizing them in one way or another as the foundations and characteristics of Wisdom.

#1. The Fear of the Lord (in Christ)

This is the first and foundational pillar of Wisdom. ‘The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.’ (Proverbs 9:10, ESV). This means that the main motive for walking in wisdom is out of a heart that wants to love and honor God above all and everyone else. Only then can we have a true foundation for integrity and do the right thing even when nobody is watching. Not only, that but to (rightly) fear God is to know God, and to know God is to Fear God. In other words, the degree to which we relationally, intimately, and theologically know and fellowship with God positively correlates to our reverence for and desire to honor him. Lastly, in knowing God we understand that his commandments are life-giving. They are not oppressive but freeing. Therefore, the desire to obey them will grow, and giving up sin will not feel like missing out. Only in Christ, can we come to such a knowledge and relationship with God through his redemption (1 Corinthians 1:30; Colossians 2:2-3).

#2. Truth

It is jarring how often Proverbs depicts the wise person as truthful, who does not deceive or give false witness (Proverbs 23:23;19:5; 12:19, ESV). A good way to start on our journey to grow in wisdom is to resolve to not lie or deceive anyone.

#3. Humility

Wisdom and Humility are a package deal. I was taken aback the first time I realized that. In the world, the wisest person is seen as the person who knows it all and understands it all. He/she is the person who offers correction but is never corrected. Well, God says that the wise person is humble before God and Men. The wise person is ‘peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere’, open to correction and reproof, and looks to the interests of others above self (Proverbs 11:2;15:33; James 3:13-3:17; Philippians 2:3, ESV).

#4. Running from Evil

To be wise is to give no opportunity to the flesh for sin. It is a resolve to turn away from evil (Proverbs 6:16-19).

HEFT Your Path

I came up with a cheesy acronym, H.E.F.T (Humility, running from Evil, Fear of God, Truth), as an easy way to remember to ponder my path moment by moment. You’re welcome to use it! Let us continue to pray for wisdom, keeping in mind that God will not deliver it as fast food. It will look more like a slow-cooking meal. God is answering our prayer by helping us to ponder our path and discern good from evil, prudence from foolishness, and even wisest choice from good choices. God wants us to ‘practice’ pondering and applying the knowledge of him to our words, actions, and thoughts.

As we ponder our path, we should consider the ways that are rooted and paved with the Fear of God, truth, humility, and a turning from evil versus the ways that deviate from any of these. We will most certainly know which options to eliminate and which ones to pursue.

Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold. She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her. (Proverbs 3:13-18, ESV).