The Prerequisites for Wisdom

Visit Blanchard Springs Caverns near Mountain View, Arkansas and you will learn what total darkness truly is. At one point in the tour of these deep caverns, U. S. Forestry personnel turn off all lights in the cave. Because the tour group is so far beneath the earth's surface, outside light can not filter into the caverns. Without artificial light, the caves are totally dark. The darkness is so dark, that tourists can not see their hands in front of their own faces. When the lights are turned on, the surroundings become visible again.

Godly wisdom is like a revealing light that exposes the true nature of things, allowing the believer to avoid spiritual disaster and to follow God's will. Godly wisdom aids the believer in seeing the true nature things from a spiritual perspective.

The Definition of Wisdom*

The Hebrew word for wisdom had both secular and religious meanings. One secular application focused on artisans or craftsmen. Those who were skilled in a craft such as metal work, were said to be wise in that craft. It did not refer necessarily to their character, but rather, their ability.

Today, we refer to such people as masters at their craft. Master plumbers, master electricians, master mechanics gained skill through knowledge and experience. They understand the fundamental and advanced aspects of their professions. They apply that knowledge to extraordinary situations or to troubleshoot problems.

A second secular usage of wisdom referred to cunning or shrewdness. A wise person (in a secular sense) had an understanding of people. Through that understanding, he could manipulate, coerce, or even control them. He appeared to outsmart his competition, through application of his knowledge of people.

The religious application of wisdom focuses on God given understanding. Wisdom is the ability to apply knowledge of God to life situations and make right (spiritual) decisions as a result. 

Just as Bible knowledge does not equal spirituality, neither does Bible knowledge guarantee wisdom. Wisdom is the application of knowledge to life situations. It is the ability to make right decisions (based on the ways of God) at the opportune time. In other words, it is arriving at a crossroads and deciding which way to go based on the truth of God's Word rather than personal opinion.

The Way of Wisdom (Proverbs 3:5-8)

Solomon listed several prerequisites for wisdom. They are found in the verbs used in the passage.

1. To trust in the Lord means to have total confidence in God concerning all aspects of life 3:5).

2. To reject personal understanding means to refuse to follow your own ideas and schemes and accept His superior design (3:5).

3. To acknowledge the Lord means to view every aspect of life - home, work, family, etc. - as it relates to pleasing God. You constantly ask, "How can I please God in this particular situation" (3:6)?

4. To be not wise in your own eyes means that instead of depending on your own discernment you choose to depend on God for guidance.

5. To fear the Lord means to demonstrate reverence, respect, worship, and piety toward God (3:7).

6. To depart from evil is to turn away from every form of sin in order to pursue God (3:7).

The Value of Wisdom (Proverbs 3:11-14)

In order to portray the great worth of godly wisdom, God declared it more valuable that silver and gold (v. 14) The comparison is not just to a few silver or gold coins, but to the mass accumulation of the precious metals. In modern times, we would declare that godly wisdom is worth more than owning the leading computer software company or the leading retail store chain. In other words, there is nothing more valuable than godly wisdom.

Solomon was a great biblical example of a person who, at least for a time, valued wisdom above anything else. Solomon was given the opportunity to have anything he desired (2 Chronicles 1:7). He could have had power, pleasure, wealth, or fame. But, he realized that godly wisdom was more desirable. 

The Result of Wisdom (Proverbs 3:21-26)

Why should wisdom be a primary concern for you as a believer? Wisdom and discretion are necessary for spiritual life (verses 21-22). They are like an attractive ornament around the neck. The writer of Proverbs challenges you to never let them depart from you. They are both vital and desirable.

Godly wisdom will allow you to walk steadily in this topsy-turvy world (verse 23). It will equip you to make right choices that avoid spiritual disaster. It will aid you to keep from stumbling spiritually.

Godly wisdom keeps you calm in spite of adverse circumstance (verse 25). Often a difficult decision, an agonizing situation, a troublesome worry, or a fear of consequences will cause people to lie awake at night. Understanding that, the author speaks of "sweet sleep" to picture personal peace. 

  

Godly wisdom allows you to live confidently amidst chaos, threat, or danger, because of the understanding that God is in total control (verse 26). Wisdom teaches you to trust Him always. 

 * Definition based on Nelson's Expository Dictionary of the Old Testament

Treasuring God's Word

For several years, Celebration Baptist Church has participated in the Read The Bible For Life Scripture reading plan. Every year, CBC members were encouraged to systematically read the Scriptures in a chronological order over the course of a year.

Recently, a CBC Awana Club leader challenged me with this question, "We ask our kids to memorize Scripture on a weekly basis. What about the adults?' Ouch!! Why do we not expect adults to continue the pattern of Scripture memorization?

Usually, any time Scripture memorization is talked about, Psalm 119:11 is tossed around as a Biblical basis. While Psalm 119:11 definitely supports Scripture memorization, it also speaks to much more.

The immediate context of Psalm 119:11 is two verses previous or Psalm 119:9. The Psalmist poses a question, "How can a young man keep his way pure?" The immediate response is "by keeping your Word." The author desired to know how to navigate life successfully through the many spiritual landmines that dot the path of the believer. He wanted to know how to avoid the pitfalls of sin that he had likely seen others fall into or maybe had experienced himself. The answer was surrendered obedience to God's Word.

One way to facilitate surrendered obedience is found in Psalm 119:11, "I have treasured Your word in my heart so that I may not sin against you."

The Psalmist declared that he "treasured [God's] Word in [his] heart." What does that mean? The Hebrew word, "I have treasured" (tsaphan), is used more than thirty times in the Old Testament. Almost always, it meant "hide" or "store." To treasure is more than to value, but rather hiding or storing something valuable. In this case, the Word of God is the focus. One commentator said, "When we have the Word of God stored or hidden in our hearts, and treasure it like gold and silver, that Word will function to keep us from sin." To hide or treasure the Scriptures in one's heart is more than simply memorizing words, "but it is the joyful act of the affections" [Spurgeon].

But how does hiding God's Word in our heart keep us from sinning? Memorizing Scripture alone will not keep us from sinning. Valuing the Word of God alone will not keep us from sinning. Rather, both actions, together, give us the power to stand against the temptations of sin.

Piper writes, "I believe that the Bible teaches us to memorize Scripture the way an ant gathers food in summer; because it is so valuable and will be needed in the winter months. '[The ant] prepares her food in the summer, and gathers her provision in the harvest' (Proverbs 6:8). Memorizing Scripture is not a discipline for its own sake. It is because the Scripture are a treasure and will be needed before the day is done to help you escape a sinful attitude and live a life that glorifies God."

Therefore, Celebration Baptist Church is launching a Scripture Memorization Challenge. Here is how the challenge will work. Each week, a one or two verse Scripture passage will be presented to the congregation for memorization. The Scripture passage will be encouraging, strengthening, and practical. The group is challenged to memorize the passage by the following Sunday when a new passage will be presented.

Someone might say, “I am too old to memorize anything. I can hardly remember my name!” If you focus on a short passage of Scripture for a full seven days, think of the benefits. Even if you are not always successful in memorizing the passage, think of the spiritual insights you will gain by meditating on the same Scripture for seven days. Wow!!!

Up for the challenge? The January 5 challenge is Psalm 119:11. And go!!!

Allan