“He’s a wise guy!” How did that become a negative phrase? I desperately want to be a wise guy! The greatest wealth of instruction on how to be just that is found in the Bible. Proverbs is a book dedicated to such wisdom and it would be wise to keep reading this blog about it! One of the most critical areas of stress that we have in our lives and relationships is in the area of decision making. Making a simple decision can be quite paralyzing, can’t it? You know what I mean, don’t you? Your spouse or co-workers get in the car and you ask, “Where do you want to eat?” You know the typical response, “I don’t know, where do you want to eat.” Ten minutes pass and out of frustration you end up choosing something that NOBODY wants to eat!
If it is that stressful to choose between Subway and Jersey Mike’s, how much more stressful is it to make decisions that critically impact our future and our family? Wisdom is the key. If you want to make great choices, you must navigate with wisdom as your guide. If you want to excel in your career or gain influence with people, your wisdom is a characteristic that people will always gravitate toward.
Read Proverbs 1.
Here are a couple of important lessons from that passage:
Verse 7 – The foundation for every decision is to honor and glorify God.
When making an important decision, you must ask the question – “What can I do in this situation that will bring the most glory to God.”
Verses 8,9 – We must build off our heritage.
There have been incredible people that have poured years of wisdom into your life. Don’t ignore that advice. In fact, my wall is filled with quotes, most of which came from people who spoke those things directly to me. When someone speaks wisdom into my life and the light bulb comes on for me, I want to remember that moment. I want to remember that wisdom. So, I write it down and put it in a place where I am reminded of that life lesson.
If you think old = irrelevance, you are an idiot! Don’t disregard the wealth of wisdom around you, just because it may be coming from someone older than you! I don’t enjoy getting older. I hate most things about it. However, wisdom is a growing part of age that I love. I do understand that with life experience comes wisdom. What you choose to do with that wisdom is another story!
Verses 10-19 – We must pursue wisdom.
Do you surround yourself with people who are wise? Who do you hang out with? What relationships do you have that are helping you grow in every area of your life? If you don’t have those relationships, seek them out! Recently, I called a business owner and asked for a meeting. This guy is well known in our community as a follower of Jesus, successful businessman, husband and father. I’ve watched him for five years and every time I see Him he always seems on top of the world. So I asked him very specific questions about balancing career and family. He poured incredible wisdom into my life. I would have never had that chance to grow if I had not sought out that relationship.
If your desire is to be a life-long follower of Jesus, you must also be careful who you are gaining wisdom from. What may sound wise, may very well be disobedience to God and His Word. God’s Word trumps advice from anyone!
You can be a “wise guy”.
Seek wisdom.
Cultivate wisdom.
Use wisdom wisely!
