“Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding” (Proverbs 4:7).
Procuring wisdom is life’s highest priority. Pursuit is the evidence of desire. Acquiring wisdom is life’s ultimate quest. Bob Jones, Sr., said, “Men may acquire knowledge, but wisdom is a gift direct from God.” Obtaining anything in life calls for reach, so, “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you” (Matthew 7:7). You most often find what you search for diligently. You will get what you go after. God says the main thing in life is obtaining wisdom.
Wisdom is seeing life from God’s point of view. You must organize your moral concepts around the personality of God. Moral absolutes originate in the character of God, and are different from preferences. Your view of circumstances will determine your view of God, or your view of God will determine your view of circumstances. The way you see God will determine what you value in life. Wisdom is to be valued because it reveals God’s perspective on earthly issues.
Wisdom is more than information. Knowledge is knowing “what” to do. Wisdom is knowing “how” and “when” to do it.
Wisdom is the ability to anticipate consequences. Doug Larson said, “Wisdom is the quality that keeps you from getting into situations where you need it.” “A prudent man foresees the evil and hides himself” (Proverbs 22:3). Wisdom considers the big picture, without getting caught up in the immediate moment. The wise man values long-term outcomes over immediate pleasures. Wisdom looks down the road and anticipates consequences. You have to think ahead and ask this question, “Where will this decision take me?” “When lust is conceived, it brings forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, brings forth death” (James 1:15). Prudence anticipates where evil choices will lead, and selects the righteous path. Evil always leads to death. Wisdom anticipates consequences and hides from the inevitable encroaching evil that follows on from sin. Look ahead, detect evil, and shield yourself. You can avoid a multitude of sorrows and regrets by being wise.
Wisdom appropriates the power of the Blood. “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin” (1 John 1:7). If the blood can cleanse after you sin, the blood can keep you from sinning in the first place. This mindset and forethought can keep you from running off the cliff. How much better not to crash in the first place than having to clean up the mess afterwards. There is mighty power in the blood of Jesus to keep you from evil. The wise father knows this and revels in this mighty river, not only for its restorative capacity, but also for its preventative power!
Wisdom is knowing what to request in prayer. Phillip Brooks said, “Do not pray for easy lives; pray to be stronger men. Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers. Pray for powers equal to your tasks.”
Wisdom is the ability to discern. H. A. Ironside said, “The spiritual person is able to see the difference between what is of God and what is of man, what is of flesh, and what is of the Spirit.” The discerning man never attributes the work of Satan to the Lord, and never attributes God’s work to Satan. God gets blamed for a multitude of things that He had no part in.
Wisdom is found in a throng of advisors.
- “Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety” (Proverbs 11:14).
- “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise” (Proverbs 12:15).
- “Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established” (Proverbs 15:22).
Wisdom is concealed deep within, but a pursuer knows how to mine this precious resource. “Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out” (Proverbs 20:5). The hungry-hearted man is not ashamed to admit his need of wisdom. Because he has made wisdom the main thing in life, he goes out of his way to hunt for it. He learns to how to draw this treasure up from the depths where mentors and sages find it.
To Think and Pray About…
- Wisdom is a wonderful attribute of God; think of three areas in which you need to seek and develop wisdom yourself.
- How might wisdom make you more Christ-like?
- Identify two strategies you might use to help your children find wisdom.
This chapter was written by Evangelist Harold Vaughan
This chapter is taken from “The Extraordinary Father”. CLICK HERE to order your copy today!
