Proverbs 4 talks a lot about wisdom, but what is wisdom?
Wisdom can often feel like an abstract concept — how does one "embrace" wisdom like in verse 8?
“If you prize wisdom, she will make you great. Embrace her, and she will honor you,” the author writes.
It’s not like hugging a person. So instead of trying to understand it in theory, I began to look at how it shows up practically in my life. What really speaks to me from this verse is the pursuit of what is good.
The path to wisdom is to spend personal time with God. That act itself is the pursuit of good. Sometimes you don’t know what to do or say in a certain situation, but you can always go to God. Simply going to God regardless of how you feel is a wise decision. As I do it, I find that the promise in Proverbs 4:12 verse is fulfilled. When I walk I won’t be held back, when I run I won’t stumble.
Wisdom becomes real when I see the fruit of it in my life. Spending time in the Lord’s presence gives me clarity and peace. Being with him gives me direction and strength, and it is this outcome that shows me that spending time with the Lord is wise.
Wisdom is not a formula. This is why Proverbs 4:5 (NLT) also encourages the reader to develop good judgment. But why ‘develop?’ Why do you ‘get’ wisdom, but ‘develop’ good judgment?
Imagine a father teaching a son his trade. The father teaches the son everything he knows, but if the son has not truly understood the teaching, he won't be able to practice the trade well.
A son who only memorizes the rules will not know what to do in an emergency situation, but the son who has truly understood the heart of the rules and how the trade works can use his judgment to handle the situation.
Like judgment, which does not come ready made, wisdom does not mean creating a formula to get a desired result every time. It means practicing good judgment. Verse 26 says, “Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path.” This means that the pursuit of wisdom is a journey. Sometimes you trip or fall, but it is wise to mark out a path and to stay on it.
One can’t have good judgment if they don’t go to God for help or answers.
Judgment is not instantly acquired; it is shaped and refined over time, through experience, failure and growth. Truly good judgment is something only the Lord can give us. It does not mean being smart or wise, but means making decisions that would please God or align with his will.
I pray that the Lord will pass his wisdom onto me. Teach me your ways; teach me how you think Lord. Lead me down the straight path, but help me keep my eyes on what is ahead of me, not in front or behind. Open my eyes to see beyond the film that covers my eyes. Open my eyes to see the world the way you do. Guide me in everything I do, and through all situations, give me your wisdom and teach me good judgment. “Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you.” Proverbs 4:25 (NLT)
