By: Becky Davis01/24/19

How to Walk in Wisdom

Make coffee. Check. Feed the dog. Check. Finish the dishes. Check. Write my to-do list. Check. Write tasks on my to-do list that I’ve already completed so that I can cross them off. Check. Check. Check! Ah…yes. In an ever-increasing digital world, this is the very reason why I prefer my to-do lists to be on paper!

As we stand at the beginning of a new year with the intention of setting goals and resolutions and new habits to our lives, I’m sure you’re not looking to add another “thing” to your plate. I do believe, however, that there is an essential item for you to put on your (paper or digital) to-do list… Every. Single. Day.

Get wisdom.

Proverbs 4:7 (NLT), “Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do! And whatever else you do, develop good judgment.”

The subject of wisdom is a theme that is woven throughout the entire fabric of Scripture. We know that wisdom was found in the beginning – the book of Proverbs tells us that “The LORD by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding, he established the heavens.” Wisdom is found from in the pages of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation and everywhere in between! There’s even an entire book in the Old Testament devoted to obtaining godly wisdom. Wisdom is essential to God, and I want more of it! One of the most compelling reasons I have discovered to pursue a life of wisdom is found in the New Testament book of Ephesians 5:15-17 (NLT), “So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.”

The subject of wisdom is a theme that is woven throughout the entire fabric of Scripture.

Wow. It sounds to me like not only do I need to put “Get wisdom” on my daily to-do list, but I need to place it at the very top!

As we look back at Proverbs 4:7 we can see that the charm and effectiveness of the book of Proverbs is found in its apparent simplicity. “Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do…” Well, there you go. It doesn’t get any clearer to us than that, right? So, we just go and get it? Easy peasy…

Go get wisdom. Saying it like that makes it seem like it would be as simple as picking it up at the grocery store on your way home from work. But we all know that acquiring godly wisdom in our every-day lives is more involved than running an errand. So, how do you “get wisdom”? Here are just a few ways that we can make getting wisdom an attainable priority every single day.

Ask God.

James 1:5 (NLT) says, “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.” We serve a good Father that gives good gifts to us. He is faithful to His word and if you “ask in faith,” James says, “without doubting” you will receive! What we are witnessing here is a prayer that God will always say “yes” to! How amazing and comforting is that? “If you need wisdom…ask…and he will give it to you.”

Actively pursue wisdom.

Proverbs 2:4-5 (ESV) tells us, “If you seek it [wisdom] like silver and search for it like hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord.” Look at all those action words! Seek. Search. Understand. Pursuing wisdom is not a passive activity. It’s not going to just happen. You’re not going to just wake up one day and discover that you are really wise! (cue singing angel choir) It doesn’t work like that.

Search wisdom out, treasure it, and seek out wisdom for your life…then search it out, treasure it and seek it some more! Search wisdom out in His given Word (the Bible) and in the living Word (Jesus Christ). 1 Corinthians 1:30 (NLT) “God has united you with Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made him to be wisdom itself…”

Jesus Christ is wisdom personified. So, when you pursue wisdom, you pursue Christ Jesus!

Position yourself around wise people.

Proverbs 13:2 (NLT) presents it like this, “Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble.” Take a look at the people you surround yourself with, your friends and companions – are they filled with a desire to live a wise and godly life? Or do you find yourself constantly in situations where you are “guilty by association”? If this is this case, then you will want to thoughtfully reevaluate who you are spending time with, and intentionally position yourself around those who you know will make you better!

God’s desire for his people is to “get wisdom.” God wants to set us up with wisdom when it feels like we are surrounded by foolishness. God wants us to rule over our circumstances instead of letting our conditions rule over us as His holy revelation leads us and guides us.

This isn’t self-help and it’s way more than good advice; this is godly wisdom found in God’s Word and it is teaching you how to rule and reign in life!

Get wisdom. Check.