Wisdom
Pursue it and Keep It
Yesterday was Father’s Day and last month was Mother’s Day. As I reflect on my amazing godly parents, I am thankful today for the wisdom they poured into me. Did they always get it right? No. No one ever does. Did they always point me to Jesus though? Yes. I do not remember a time when they did not. They fulfilled the calling God gives to parents- to raise their children in the Lord. They continue to pour into me today and my children as they have opportunity. Here we are in my childhood home, where they still live. Going home to visit has literally always meant going home ❤️
All of this got me thinking about wisdom. What it is and why we need it. So I turned to Proverbs and I want to zero in today on chapter four.
1 Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.
2 For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law.
3 For I was my father's son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother.
4 He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live.
We see earlier in scripture in Deuteronomy 6: 6-9 how vital the home is to teaching the truth of God’s Word.
6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:
7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.
8 And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as front lets between thine eyes.
9 And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.
We need wisdom and we must teach it to our children. Teaching wisdom to your children- will guide your children well into the future (“when you run, you will not stumble”).
Chapter four of proverbs also shows us the pursuit of wisdom- it doesn’t just automatically come. It’s a choice to go get it- are we choosing to pursue wisdom today? It’s found in God’s Word. Then once it’s pursued- we are to keep it. We are to take hold fast of instruction and not let her go. So much of our battle lies in a struggle to let go of truth and principles.
It is very possible to have wisdom and to turn away from it- we see that in the life of Solomon who wrote this very book. Ironically and tragically, late in life, Solomon did turn away from the path of wisdom. Let’s learn from his mistake and not follow that path.
Then in verse 14 and 15 we see the instruction to avoid evil.
14 Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men.
15 Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.
Clearly we are going to be faced with evil and will again have to choose to either follow its path or FLEE.
As I reflect on my life there have been so many times that I have followed the path of evil- I regret every single one. That path always led me to brokenness and shame. I stumbled and was in the dark in those times just like scripture says here is verse 19:
The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.
Thankfully as the Lord chastened me, I realized my foolish steps and quickly turned back. Wisdom gives a sense of urgency and says “turn back.” I’m thankful for the truth that was laid in my heart as a child that truly did ring loud in those foolish times. If you are following the way of the wicked right now- let this be your calling back- turn away today and follow the path of righteousness.
As we consider choices today- let’s consider always where a path will lead us. One of the satan’s strategies is to hide the consequences of our path.
We are either walking in The Way or walking with the world. This is our fight.
In closing I want to zero in on verse 23:
Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
How do we “keep” our hearts? First- with diligence implying it doesn’t come easy. There will be plenty of opportunities to give our heart to a person or a path that wisdom would warn against. Satan is at war for your heart. We must guard it. Remember always:
Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?
Do not allow your heart or “feelings” to lead you. Satan will give you “wonderful feelings” if they will lead you down his path. Feelings are a terrible guide. David Guzik in his Blue Letter Bible commentary says this well:
“One of the great enticements to the way of the wicked (Proverbs 4:19) is that it is fun, pleasant, and will bring some sense of happiness. This is a lie. The same God who designed and created us is the God who guides us in and through His commands. Though it may not be immediately or instinctively apparent, His commands are for our happiness and good. Though guarding the heart with all diligence may mean saying a temporarily painful no to excitements and enticements on the way of the wicked, the overall result is happiness, joy, and pleasantness.”
So I’ll just leave you with verses 26-27:
26 Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.
27 Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.
Chase wisdom friends, hold tight to it, and if walking in the way of the wicked- turn around and run back towards truth. If you don’t know which way is which- it’s found in God’s Word. Let’s pursue what God has said/ for His ways bring us LIFE. If you are walking the path of righteousness then stay moving forward- heed the command in Deuteronomy 5:32 “Ye shall observe to do therefore as the LORD your God hath commanded you: ye shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left.”
Let’s flee from evil, trusting our Savior, obeying His commands, and having an eternal perspective.