Wisdom

Get Wisdom

In Proverbs 4, we see a father urging his child to do whatever it takes to get wisdom. The Hebrew verb translated "get" in Proverbs 4:5 is qana. It means: to acquire moveable goods through a financial transaction. The way it is used in this verse implies that to get wisdom, it will cost something. It may require us to prioritize wisdom over our own affections (Proverbs 4:23) or choose to hold tightly to instruction when other things try to pull us away. (Proverbs 4:13) 

Proverbs 4 gives us several imperatives to help us physically dedicate ourselves to the path of wisdom and offer our bodies to God as instruments of righteousness. (Romans 6:12-13).

Keep your heart. (Proverbs 4:23) This verse paints the picture of something that must be guarded with vigilance because it isn't easy. The heart is the seat of our thoughts, emotions and affections. We must constantly take inventory of our desires and run them under the light of God's Word.

 

Manage your mouth. (Proverbs 4:24) The Bible puts a lot of emphasis on the words we say. They can build others up (Ephesians 4:29) or crush the spirit. (Proverbs 15:4) They can overflow with praise, (Psalm 119:171) or they can corrupt the whole body. (James 3:6) Proverbs 4 urges us to avoid lying lips and stay away from conversations that breed gossip and corruption. 

Fix your eyes. (Proverbs 4:25) Distractions beckon us every day to stray from the path of wisdom. In order to ignore those distractions, we need eyes with a fixed purpose. When we fix our eyes on Jesus, we can be confident He will lead us and bring our faith in Him to perfection. (Hebrews 12:2). 

Watch your step. (Proverbs 4:26) My kids used to watch a cartoon where the main character would travel a path and stop to ask, "Which way should we go?" Sometimes, one path looked like a dark, scary forest while the other path looked sunny, bright and open. Naturally, we'd all tell her to take the bright, open path. But in life, the dark, evil path may be disguised as one that seems inviting or fun. Proverbs 4 encourages us to carefully watch the path of our feet so we won't enter the path of the wicked. (Proverbs 4:14) 

All the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are found in Jesus. (Colossians 2:3) Today, and every day, let's do whatever it takes to make Him the focus of our daily pursuit, and we will be sure to get wisdom. The cost is worth the reward. (John 12:25) 

Be Blessed!