Knowledge speaks but wisdom listens

Knowledge speaks, but wisdom listens. 

I want to be the one who is actively listening, and I want to hear the voice of God above all others.

It is easy to forget that we need to get wisdom from the Bible. The world and its message diverts our attention away from God and we get all caught up in what everyone else is thinking rather than honoring the wisdom of God’s Word.  We become reactive to the world around us and stop listening to the voice of God.

According to Proverbs 4:5-9, the wisdom that comes from God is to be sought with great energy, urgency and passion.

Proverbs 4:5-9. New International Version.

⁵ Get wisdom, get understanding;
do not forget my words or turn away from them.
⁶ Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you;
love her, and she will watch over you.
⁷ The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom.
Though it cost all you have, get understanding.
⁸ Cherish her, and she will exalt you;
embrace her, and she will honor you.
⁹ She will give you a garland to grace your head
and present you with a glorious crown.”

This verse urges me to Get wisdom.  In fact, in verse 7 it says that the beginning of wisdom is to simply realize that I must go and get wisdom. When we don’t go and get wisdom, we are being ignorant of the fact that we need wisdom.  So it is really wise to realize you need wisdom!

The definition of “Get” is to go after, take hold of, and bring (something) for one’s own or for another’s purposes; fetch.

Think about what you have gone after in your life or what you have striven to take a hold of.  Was it to get hired for a dream position?  Was it to obtain college degree?  These types of endeavors certainly cannot be handled lackadaisically.  Most college students sense the urgency to figure something out before a test or they will fall hopelessly behind in a course.  I believe I will also fall behind in my life if I’m lackadaisical in getting wisdom.

In 1 Chronicles 1:10 Solomon asked God for wisdom rather than wealth, possessions, or honor.

Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?

God was so pleased that Solomon asked for wisdom above all else that he gave him unsurpassed wisdom as well as wealth, possessions and honor.

There are times I have longed for more money or for approval from people or for my talents to be used or multiplied, yet I have neglected to ask God above all else to give me wisdom like Solomon did.  Wealth, possessions and honor are empty without wisdom anyway.

This year my number one goal is to grow in my knowledge and wisdom of God, and to use this wisdom to help others.  This is my dream. This is my vision.

James 1:5 says

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

And Proverbs 4 tells me what to do with this generous gift I receive from God:

Love her >  Embrace her  >  Cherish her >  Don’t forsake her

Aren’t these words used in wedding vows?

God is relational.  To get wisdom is to get God.

As I read the Bible, I begin to see that God is masterful in communicating his love to me.  The wisdom of God is rooted in love.

Wisdom does not shout angry words at people who do not believe what you believe.  Wisdom does not hate, or ridicule.  Wisdom knows how to give an apt answer and recognizes when to speak and when to be silent.  Wisdom knows when something is a sin and when it isn’t.  Wisdom knows when to discipline and when to give mercy and grace.

1 Corinthians 8:1-3 (NIV)

² Those who think they know something do not yet know as they ought to know. ³ But whoever loves God is known by God.

I have found that when love is my end goal in all that I do, then my knowledge of God builds others up rather than tears them down.

Back to Proverbs 4 it says that all this passionate love for wisdom brings great rewards:

Protection, exaltation, honor, grace and a glorious crown.

Wow!  Who wouldn’t want all that?  Yet, this verse contains warnings to not forsake or forget wisdom.  If having wisdom is so beneficial to our lives, then why is there such a strong warning to not forsake wisdom?

I believe it all goes back to Proverbs 4:7

⁷ The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom.
Though it cost all you have, get understanding.

Verse 7 says that the pursuit of God’s wisdom will cost you all you have.  I believe wisdom is costly because God wants all your heart, all your mind and all your soul, and this abandonment of self to honor and worship God is where wisdom is found.

How are you doing today in your pursuit of God’s wisdom?

Are you speaking or listening?]]>