How Do I Begin Wisdom?

I don’t know how the title question strikes your mind, but I wonder how important a question it is to Christians today. For many, life’s biggest concern is not about making wise decisions, but survival; simply getting from today to tomorrow without making a mess of things. Others are trying to climb the ladder of success, reach for the stars, achieve goals or check something off their bucket list. Still others are mostly focused on self-indulgence; satisfying their urges for food, entertainment, sex, money, etc.

I would like to think that Christians are really interested in wisdom. I hope you are, but where do you start? First, let me ask:

• What is your definition of wisdom?
• What is the meaning of discernment?

Think of someone you would regard as wise. How did he/she become wise? Where did he/she begin? Where do you start to find or obtain or attain discernment?

The answers are not found by joining a secret society. They are not discovered atop a high mountain in a remote foreign country. They will not be found deep within a hidden cavern, in the depths or the sea, beyond the stars, or in your heart. Yet, the answers seem rather elusive. Can you accept God’s answer?

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,
And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
--Proverbs 9:10

We should not think that fear is a synonym with afraid. Yet, respect is far too weak to fully describe the fear of the Lord. Two other words are accurately descriptive: reverence and awe.

Fear (afraid) and respect are found within reverence and awe, but there is more. There is also the realization of the stark difference between deity and humanity. Reverence and awe demand recognition of the power, authority, dominion, honor, perfection, holiness, purity, kindness, and expansive love of deity.

At the "beginning of wisdom" a person must come to some level of knowledge and understanding of God. Knowledge is not the academic kind found in theology books; it is not a list of facts about God. Nor is knowledge to be confused with biblical doctrine. Facts, doctrine and theology are all fine, but true knowledge of God can only be obtained in a relationship with God.

We understand the importance of relationship in marriage. A man knows his wife; a wife knows her husband. Yet their knowledge of each other is not based on a list of facts, a well-organized resume or information gathered online. Their knowledge is based on their relationship and daily interaction with each other. It is no different with God.

Be careful! Read your Bible all you want but you will still lack true wisdom and understanding (discernment). You must not put your Bible aside, but you must come to know your Creator through a relationship that is based on making a proper response to his instruction.

Knowledge of the Holy One requires an intimate relationship with God in which you interact with Him by listening to His word, by the devoted practice of His instruction and by prayer.

If you are a Christian, you already know that you should value wisdom and understanding?
Do you?

You might want to begin on your knees in humble prayer; then rise to follow.

Mark Stinnett