How To Be Wise

You, through Your commandments, make me wiser than my enemies; For they are ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers, for Your testimonies are my meditation. Psalms 119:98‭-‬99 NKJV

The Bible really exalts wisdom and praises the wise people. Our generation today, as the Bible predicted, has much increased knowledge (Dan. 12:4). Many are knowledgeable, but not that many are wise. How do I know? Because the Bible tells us how wisdom is like versus folly, how wise people behave or live versus how the foolish do. By the standards of the Bible many of those we consider wise are actually fools, and those we consider fools are actually wise. For example, the Bible says that the fool has said in his heart that there is no God (Ps. 14:1). No matter how many degrees and PHDs one may have, if they say in their hearts there is no God then they are fools. Another one says, “A wise man fears and departs from evil, but a fool rages and is self-confident.” Prov. 14:16 NKJV. Again no matter how knowledgeable a person may be if they don't depart from evil it indicates they're fools. Another one says, “The wise are glad to be instructed, but babbling fools fall flat on their faces.” Prov. 10:8 NLT. Yet another one says, “The lips of the wise disperse knowledge, but the heart of the fool does not do so.” Prov. 15:7 NKJV. Texts such as this may make us think that by departing from evil or rejoicing at instructions or dispersing knowledge we become wise, but that's not the case.

These texts and others that talk of the wise versus fools only talk of the characteristics or behaviours of the wise, not how to become wise. So, how does one become wise, in order to display the qualities and traits of a wise man? Our opening text tells us that it's through the Scriptures that we become wise. At the writing of the text the author had just a few books of the Bible we have and yet he said that God’s commandments made him wise and gave him understanding (Psalms 119 talks of God’s Word and he uses different terms to refer to it, such as precepts, law of the Lord, testimonies, commandments, instructions etc.). David also said, “The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple…”  Ps. 19:7 NKJV. In our generation today we don't need more knowledge or information, as that is already present and we see isn't helping as much as we thought it would; we need wisdom, which simply is the ability to apply knowledge and good judgement. The more people we have who soak themselves in God's Word and uphold it in all they do, the more wisdom will increase in our generation and times. The Bible also says that, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” Prov. 9:10 NKJV, and “He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed.” Prov. 13:20 NKJV. He who walks with wise men will be wise because he will be taught God’s fear which is the beginning of wisdom and hear God’s Word, which makes us wise.

Reflection:

Would you regard yourself as a wise person? Would you regard the friends you spend most time with as wise? Knowing the Bible says, “Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.” Prov. 4:7 NKJV, and now knowing how to get wisdom, how much do you value wisdom and understanding, and does it reflect in how much effort you put into getting them?

Grace and peace to you!