“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. For through wisdom your days will be many, and years will be added to your life” (Proverbs 9:10-11)
Interestingly, the beginning of wisdom, according to the Holy Scripture, begins with the fear of the Lord. All good things begin with the Lord and our reverence and respect for Him. Godly wisdom leads to the beginning of understanding. Understanding lends itself to responsibility. Responsibility calls for action. Action brings change. Change can affect everything it touches.
It’s no wonder everything we do, whether big or small, be done in the fear of the Lord. It is the standard we should adhere to as sons and daughters of the King in order to both obey and obtain true wisdom.
Some of the wisest men we encounter in the Bible understood this important truth and realized the implications that can come from both fearing and not fearing the Lord. Wisdom starts with seeking the One who created it, which is why decisions should be guided by God’s Word and wrapped in prayer.
Something that hinders us from equipping ourselves and growing in wisdom is the sin of our own pride. Our knowledge and understanding will always be limited when pride is in the picture. Pride creates a barricade. It diminishes our ability to seek God and clearly hear His voice. Proverbs 3:5 reminds us of this truth:
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.”
Apart from God, we are weaker. Apart from Him we are less wise.
Acquiring wisdom is a blessing. King Solomon could have asked for anything, but in humbleness he asked for wisdom. God rewarded Solomon for seeking, with a humble heart, what he could never attain without God’s intervention. Solomon was given a precious gift, the same gift God offers to us today. But, there’s a catch-it’s given to those willing to humble themselves and let God take control.
God’s Word is key to gaining wisdom. Studying the Bible gives us those “lightbulb moments” and, with each revelation, we are given more knowledge and understanding. As we dive in, we get the added bonus of becoming more discerning in the affairs of life. The Bible becomes our tried-and-true roadmap. Its rich knowledge will always, without fail, safely guide us on our journey.
God uses His Word to sharpen and shape us. He never leaves us without the proper equipment, but requires us to study so we can be more influential in our lives and to those we meet. He lovingly reminds us in James 1:5:
“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”
James 3:17 states, “But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere”.
In a nutshell, we could study all the books ever written and gain the knowledge the world offers us, but the Bible is the only book that holds the key and unlocks the door to godly wisdom. Jeremiah 33:3 continues the call to seek God’s wisdom in our lives:
“Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.” Praise God for loving us enough to correct us, guide us, change us and equip us. God can do much when we’re willing to surrender and let Him take control. And when we answer the call to wise up, we’ll be more able to rise up and shine for Him.