Proverbs 4:1-27
4:7 “Wisdom is supreme; therefore, get wisdom”
I love this chapter from Proverbs, but I must admit that when I was a young Christian, I did not really care for it so much, or even understand it. The point was, I was early on my journey to wisdom, and being young (and less wise) I did not get it. Not that I totally get it now, but I am much farther down the road now, so at least I know how to pursue wisdom.
Essentially, wisdom is seeing the world the way God sees the world, not the way the “world” sees the world. Once we understand that the most important thing is to see the world the way God sees it, it becomes apparent that, indeed, wisdom is supreme. We need, at all costs to see the world the way God sees it, or we will miss everything.
Once we see that God’s ways are higher than our ways, that they do not always reflect basic human impulses or intuition, we can get on with submission to God’s way of thinking- wisdom.
I have listed just a few examples of the “world’s wisdom” and “True Wisdom” as I understand it:
World’s Wisdom True Wisdom
Do good work to gain heaven Faith in Christ alone
Gentleness = Weakness Gentleness = Strength
Take charge of your life Give your life away
Life ends at death Life extends beyond death
Hate your enemies Love your enemies
Man is self sufficient We are God dependent
Hide your faults Confess your faults
The world evolved without a Designer The world was created/evolved by a Designer
Look out for #1 Esteem others higher than self
Prayer: Father, your ways are higher than our ways, your thoughts higher than our thoughts. Continue to give us the wisdom to know you better, Amen
