Proverbs 4:7, Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.
The book of Proverbs is rich with instruction for a successful life. I was studying godly wisdom this morning, by the Lord’s prompting, and found much refreshing and practical, profound insight.
Webster’s 1828 online dictionary defines wisdom as “the right use or exercise of knowledge”. It also describes it as the exercise of sound judgment. It says that practical wisdom is nearly synonymous with discretion.
There is a wisdom from the world that is not God’s wisdom. We can go to scripture to differentiate the difference between godly wisdom and worldly wisdom (see James 3:13-18).
Based on Proverbs, these are some of the things that are inherent in the use of wisdom and its characteristics.
Wisdom starts with the fear of the Lord. To reverence Him and to love what He loves and hate what He hates. The Lord gives wisdom and stores up sound wisdom for us.
In wisdom there is happiness, understanding, long life, riches and honor, pleasantness, peace, it is a tree of life, an ornament of grace, safety, life to your soul, sweet sleep, confidence in the Lord, promotion, and a crown of glory she will deliver to you.
Wisdom makes plans, builds, prepares, provides margin, sets boundaries. It both speaks and knows when to hold its tongue. It walks with wise men. It does not withhold good from whom it is due.
Wisdom’s ways are prudence (caution), understanding, truth, righteousness, instruction, knowledge, discretion, counsel, and strength.
The Message Bible describes wisdom as good counsel, insight, and the virtue to live it out.
Provers 3:15 and 8:11 use the same words and emphasize that wisdom is more precious than rubies and all the things you may desire cannot compare with her. That is quite the statement! When I possess wisdom, (which is easy to come by – all we have to do is ask Him for it and genuinely search for it) that is more precious than jewels and cannot compare with any desire of my heart. Obtaining and living in wisdom brings all the things my heart could ever desire. Wisdom does not fail.
I find it interesting that Solomon used the exact language in both chapters about wisdom. In 1 Kings 3, Solomon asked God for a wise understanding heart to lead His people and God in turn gave it to him along with riches and honor. God told him He would make him stand apart in wisdom, riches and honor.
Again, Proverbs 3 and 8 use the same language about how the Lord used wisdom when He created the earth and set the boundaries. Wisdom was with Him at the beginning before creation. He used it when He created everything we see.
In contrast, the scripture calls the one who ignores and disdains wisdom a fool. That you will injure your own soul if you ignore it and it even says that person loves death who hates wisdom (Proverbs 8:36).
I love these next two scriptures because they embody characteristics that I desire to emulate. Proverbs 14:1, The wise woman builds her house… and Proverbs 31:26, She opens her mouth with wisdom and on her tongue is the law of kindness.
Wisdom is something that can get in us. It is not only outward behavior or actions, but we can all live in it and draw from the wealth of wisdom in the Lord and His word. When it’s in you, you don’t turn it on and off. You simply live it. I know some wise people and as I have observed them, I see that they live a lifestyle of wisdom. It comes out of them; it is evident in all the arenas of their life. It comes from the overflow of their life with God. Wisdom comes from God, it’s in Him, and it was His possession before the earth was created – it should be ours too.
A wise woman builds up and doesn’t tear down; she sees ahead, prepares, walks with discretion, is dripping with wisdom in her affairs and speech; she loves well, lives well, and honors God. A wise woman leaves a legacy for her children. That is the life I desire to live.