By Not Known
Proverbs 4:20-27
The world wants wisdom. Even the first couple in the Garden of Eden with the wise God as their Master, fell for desiring wisdom. They disobeyed God’s command and ate the forbidden fruit of the knowledge of good and evil. Satan tempted them that they will be like God. Henceforth, the world seeks after human wisdom.
We thank God that He gives us wisdom through Christ, “but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God” (1 Cor 1:24). However, we are also called to continue to acquire godly wisdom to live godly lives.
Hearing God’s words and paying attention to them is the first step for believers to acquire wisdom. Provb 4:20 says, “My son (and daughter), pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words”. Christ’s disciples would have understood the work of the Messiah if they had listened carefully to his explanation in Mark 8:31-32 and that if anyone follows after Jesus and carry the cross would gain true life (Mark 8:34-37). Provb 4:21-22 affirms that godly life is one that relies on God’s wisdom which gives life and spiritual health, “Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body.” If godly wisdom is so important to our lives we need to first guard our hearts (Provb 4:23) and turning our hearts to God and allowing Him and His Word to shape us from within.
Next, the wisdom of God comes from within and expressed through our speech and action (v 24), which have the power to build as well as to destroy. A wise person exercises responsibility to control his or her tongue, to make choices not to speak vulgarity, or gossip, not to deceive, speak idly, spread rumours, make insulting or negative remarks. A godly person speaks words of truth and uses words aptly to encourage, comfort and build others up.
Wisdom involves what we allow into our hearts and minds. Our eyes are the windows to our whole being, if not guarded well, it could lead us to sin against God. Be wise – guard our eyes, be satisfied with what God has given to us (v 25). In addition, the writer urges us to make level path for our feet; are we standing on firm ground and are our directions right? (vv 26-27). Are we building a firm foundation on the wisdom of God? What is our direction in life? Do we keep so busy with work and fail to seek after God’s direction?
Finally, are we wise and growing in God’s wisdom? Do we walk with the Lord and listen and pay heed to His word? Do we guard our hearts, our minds, our tongues, our eyes and our feet to bear the fruit of godly wisdom?