Thoughts on Wisdom

By Dan Bailey

The standard for wisdom in areas outside of the moral realm is generally success or completion of a task by the best means with the best results. The standard for wisdom in areas inside of the moral realm is God's Word. Those who reject God and His Word have no standard of what is wise morally except a human standard. Human standards depend upon whatever a particular human or group of humans decide. Who is to say what is right and what is wrong without an absolute standard of right and wrong?

There are degrees of wisdom, just as there are degrees of faith. "Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning" (Proverbs 9:9). "A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels" (Proverbs 1:5).

One can grow in wisdom, just as one can grow in knowledge. Yea, it is wisdom to lay up or retain knowledge. "Wise men lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the foolish is near destruction" (Proverbs 10:14). "But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen" (2 Peter 3:18).

Wisdom should be pursued first, because of its great value. "Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding" (Proverbs 4:7). "For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it" (Proverbs 8:11).

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge and wisdom. "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction" (Proverbs 1:7). "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding" (Proverbs 9:10).

It is wise to secure good instruction. "Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life" (Proverbs 4:13). "For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life" (Proverbs 6:23).

It is wise to keep or to guard one's heart. "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life" (Proverbs 4:23). "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart" (Hebrews 4:12).

It is wise to ponder where you go and what you do. "Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established" (Proverbs 4:26).

It is wise to remember that God sees everything. "For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and he pondereth all his goings" (Proverbs 5:21).

It is wise to forsake the foolish or evil way. "Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding" (Proverbs 9:6).