Finding Wisdom
Proverbs 9:9-10 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.
NKJV
Is it just me or do we live in a time of some pretty strong opinions? I recall learning about the difference between “fact” and “opinion” in elementary school using scenario examples such as “vanilla is an ice cream flavor” versus “vanilla is the best ice cream flavor.” Of course, the former is a fact because it is undeniably true, while vanilla being the best is just an opinion. But wait a minute… vanilla IS the best ice cream flavor – after all, it is the foundation of all other flavors and the most ideal on a hot day, not to mention it is also my personal favorite. And, just like that, I’ve presented my personal opinion as a fact.
Perhaps this is why our knowledge of what we consider “facts” seems to change all the time, i.e., medical practices, science, historical accounts, healthy foods, and much more. Can you believe people thought the earth was flat!? Well, that may have been an undisputed fact for lots of people. People that may have been considered very wise in their time may today be considered unwise because we have new facts they didn’t. I wonder if future generations will make fun of us for thinking we live on giant ball. Okay, time to take the tinfoil hat off.
How can we confidently lead lives of wisdom and discernment to make the right choices when it becomes less and less clear on what is truth or falsehoods?
The Word of God is the unchanging truth that has stood firm and uncompromised since the beginning. Where better to learn how to live a life of wisdom?
King Solomon, the wisest man to ever live, gives us guidance on living a life of wisdom in the book of Proverbs. He makes it abundantly clear that the beginning of wisdom starts with fear of the Lord (Proverbs 1:7, 9:10). This is step one that can’t be skipped. Period.
I struggled to understand this phrase when I was younger. God gave His Son to die for me in the ultimate act of love, but I’m supposed to be scared of Him? The older I became, however, the more I understood what fear of the Lord was all about – the understanding that God, the Creator of the Universe, is the ultimate deity and Lord of all. The first step to become wise is understanding God’s holiness and sovereignty in a way that demands our ultimate reverence and humility. We must never become desensitized to how holy and great God truly is. If we do, we undermine the sacrifice and how huge an act of love Jesus dying on the cross was for us. One can never be wise without first acknowledging this truth.
Knowing this allows me to start down the path of a God-fearing life. I struggle to give up what I think is control, but acknowledging it all comes from a holy God reframes my life to be a good steward of what the Lord has given me. He will guide and protect me through the ups and downs and open the eyes of my heart to the real, unchanging knowledge of truth if I follow His lead and plan for my life.
Fear of the LORD is an essential aspect of our relationship with God. It’s not about being scared, but recognizing God’s greatness and authority over our lives. As we grow in fear of the Lord, we will begin to grow in true wisdom and understanding. This is where we start.