Pastor’s Pen Pulpit

July 10, 2005

A WORD ABOUT WISDOM

Proverbs 1:5

A wise man will hear and increase in learning and a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel.

The book of Proverbs talks much about the wise person. In this pen pulpit we want to take a brief look at WHERE WISDOM BEGINS and WHAT A WISE MAN IS LIKE.

WHERE DOES WISDOM BEGIN?

Proverbs 9:10 tells us that, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning or principal part of wisdom. And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” There are two kinds of fear: a fear that is dread and a fear that is reverence. The fear of God is not an elementary stage that we pass through in our lives to get to a higher plateau of living. The fear of God is a character development that comes as a result of knowing and understanding who God is what He is like. The fear of God is the heart and life’s blood of wisdom and true knowledge. It should control our outlook on life. In other words, the fear of God is the fabric from which wisdom is woven. Jeremiah 9:23 & 24 tells us, “Thus says the LORD, let not a wise man boast in his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast in his might. Let not a rich man boast in his riches. But let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises loving kindness, justice, and righteousness on earth, for I delight in these things declares the LORD.” A man may have a Ph.D. – doctor of wisdom. But if he delights in the wisdom of this world only, his Ph.D. means PHENOMENALLY DUMB.

WHAT IS A WISE MAN LIKE?

First of all, a wise man WILL HEAR. Hearing or really forcing yourself to listen is an integral part of learning (Mark 4:23; I Corinthians 3:18; Luke 8:18; Hebrews 2:1). It is true that sometimes we have to really force ourselves to hear what someone is saying to us. Especially is this true with reading the Word of God!

Secondly, a wise man will INCREASE IN LEARNING. Paul reminds us of this in Philippians 3:12-14 and II Corinthians 3:18, 8:2. Ezra was conscious of comparative attainments but always seeking more light (Psalm 119:98-100). The Christian life is never static. We are either progressing or regressing. Charles Bridges tells us, “Indeed the richest store would soon waste without constant addition.” But the right kind of learning is of utmost importance. A man once approached a speaker and said, “You Christians are all brainwashed.” The speaker replied, “I think we are ALL brainwashed to a degree The important thing is that we Christians choose what we want to wash our brains with!”

Thirdly, a wise man will ACQUIRE WISE COUNSEL. The idea of counsel is that of giving direction or steering one along a given course. Part of coming to know wisdom is facing challenges. You will never develop in wisdom if you never extend beyond your comfort zone. When this happens you are forced to seek counsel. An old axiom says a man begins cutting his wisdom teeth the first time he bites off more than he can chew. So seek advice from wise men. Read quality books – preeminently, the BIBLE.

CONCLUSION: A wise man is not necessarily one who has acquired a great deal of knowledge – that’s a smart man. A wise man is one who is continually making progress in the right kind of learning; one who is continually learning and integrating the truth of God into his life. If not, he is a fool (Proverbs 1:7). Fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Beloved, let me challenge you to pursue wisdom this week. God bless!