Get Wisdom

The world’s definition of wisdom is the power of judging rightly and following the soundest course of action, based on knowledge, experience, understanding, etc.; good judgment; discretion; sagacity.

Though this is a good working definition, the Bible has far more to say about wisdom, and it takes wisdom to understand wisdom. But let’s give it a go. If you just read through the book of Proverbs and take note of every reference to wisdom, you will learn a lot about it. Here are just a few things from Proverbs.

We are to get wisdom, pursue wisdom, seek wisdom, find wisdom, love wisdom, exalt wisdom, take hold of wisdom, and keep wisdom. All those who succeed in finding wisdom find life and grace, for wisdom is precious (better than gold, silver, or rubies), her ways are pleasant and peaceful, and she bestows safety, preservation, long life, promotion, riches, honor, and happiness on those who find her. Proverbs 19:8 sums it up: “He who gets wisdom loves his own soul.”

That sounds pretty appealing to me. What in the world could hinder us in finding such a great thing as wisdom? Lots of things, like laziness, selfishness, worldliness, ambition, distraction, greed. Which is to say, foolishness and sin keep us from pursuing wisdom. But at the bottom of it all is the unbelief that keeps us from fearing the Lord, for as we know, that is the beginning of wisdom.

God Himself is wisdom: “The Lord by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding He established the heavens; by His knowledge the depths were broken up, and clouds drop down the dew” (Prov. 3:20).

And He bestows His wisdom on those who seek it: Proverbs 8:17, “Those who seek me diligently will find me.”

Wisdom is a woman, but so is foolishness. So we must choose which kind of woman we want to be.

Wisdom keeps company with prudence, discretion, and knowledge. Wisdom builds while the foolish woman destroys; a wise woman receives instruction, heeds counsel, walks circumspectly, redeems the time (Eph. 5:15), chooses wisdom over riches, and understands the will of the Lord. She does not forget wisdom, but she keeps it, she does not turn away from it or forsake it, but rather embraces it.”Wisdom is the principal thing: therefore get wisdom. In all your getting, get understanding” (Prov. 4:7).