The Pursuit Of Wisdom
Are you wise? A wise guy (cue Frank Sinatra and a mob movie). Do you desire to be more discerning about your knowledge of things, actions, and thoughts? We probably all would love to be wiser, maybe even known to others as someone intelligent. That would be great!
So how do we become wise? The author of Proverbs gives us some insight...
My child, listen to what I say, and treasure my commands. Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding. Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures. Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord, and you will gain knowledge of God. For the Lord grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest. He is a shield to those who walk with integrity. He guards the paths of the just and protects those who are faithful to him. Then you will understand what is right, just, and fair, and you will find the right way to go. - Proverbs 2:1-9
This chapter begins with a list, a list of actions or thoughts that one should have as one seeks wisdom. Take an honest look at this list and see if your actions and beliefs line up. Because if wisdom is the aim, then here is a list of how to act and think to grow in wisdom.
Maybe the first place to start is wisdom is not found first, even in your thoughts or actions but in your pursuit and request of God. This is how you discover wisdom. Seeking it. Seeking God. Requesting it. Be humble. Keep searching.
As I read this section of scripture, the main thing that points out is the approach one is supposed to make. The pursuit of wisdom is found in the humility of the one seeking, learning, and pursuing.
And as you pursue wisdom through these means, the greatest news is that you will gain knowledge.
Understanding of what is right. What is just. And through all of this, it then leads us to the ability of direction.
So you want to grow in wisdom? Pursue wisdom through humility.