My son, if you receive my sayings and store up my teachings within you, make your ear open to wisdom. Turn your heart to understanding. If you cry out to know right from wrong, and lift your voice for understanding; if you look for her as silver, and look for her as hidden riches; then you will understand the fear of the Lord, and find what is known of God. For the Lord gives wisdom. (Proverbs 2:1-6 NLV)
When Jesus taught the parable about buried treasure, He said, “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field." (Matthew 13:44; see THE GOSPEL: Parables of Different Treasures) Finding Wisdom, understanding the fear of the Lord and knowning God, is like finding that hidden treasure, which leads us to sells all that we have. When we finally find the answer to the question we all ask, "is God real?"; and when Wisdom reveals to us that the answer is "YES!", then just like finding a "hidden treasure", we have joy over it! King David said about when we find this "great treasure", a relationship with God the Creator, we'll be moved to Praise the Lord! Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, Who delights greatly in His commandments. (Psalm 112:1)
Happy is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gets understanding. For it is better than getting silver and fine gold. She is worth more than stones of great worth. Nothing you can wish for compares with her. Long life is in her right hand. Riches and honor are in her left hand. Her ways are pleasing, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her. Happy are all who hold her near. The Lord built the earth by wisdom. He built the heavens by understanding. By what He knows, the seas were broken up and water falls from the sky. (Proverbs 3:13-20 NLV)
King Solomon, whom God used to write the Proverbs, should understand this better than anyone. God said to Solomon, “You have not asked for riches, much money, or honor, or the life of those who hate you. And you have not asked for a long life for yourself. But you have asked for wisdom and much understanding, ... Because this was in your heart, wisdom and much understanding have been given to you. And I will give you riches and much money and honor. You will have more than all the kings who were before you, and more than all who will come after you.” (II Chronicles 1:11-12 NLV) We want to enjoy all the wonderful things this world has to offer, and God desires to ...give you the desires of your heart. (Psalm 37:4) But He can't entrust His possessions in our care if we're not wise enough to handle them the right way. And the Lord said, “Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his master will make ruler over his household,... (Luke 12:42)
Much learning and understanding come from His mouth. He stores up perfect wisdom for those who are right with Him. He is a safe-covering to those who are right in their walk. He watches over the right way, and He keeps safe the way of those who belong to Him. Then you will understand what is right and good, and right from wrong, and you will know what you should do. For wisdom will come into your heart. And much learning will be pleasing to your soul. Good thinking will keep you safe. Understanding will watch over you. (Proverbs 2:6-11 NLV)
Before we entered into a relationship with God and were exposed to His Word, we didn't truly know right from wrong. As the Apostle Paul explains, "I would not have known sin except through the law. For I would not have known covetousness unless the law had said, “You shall not covet.” (Romans 7:7) But God wants us to have wisdom, to ...come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ! (Ephesians 4:13-15)
You will be kept from the sinful man, and from the man who causes much trouble by what he says. (Proverbs 2:12 NLV) So you will find favor and good understanding in the eyes of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not trust in your own understanding. Agree with Him in all your ways, and He will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes. Fear the Lord and turn away from what is sinful. It will be healing to your body and medicine to your bones. (Proverbs 3:4-8 NLV) When we have Wisdom, no longer will we be tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, but we'll be able to ...discern between the righteous and the wicked, Between one who serves God And one who does not serve Him. (Micah 3:18) Do not let anyone fool you. Bad people can make those who want to live good become bad. (I Corinthians 15:33 NLV)
My son, do not allow them to leave your eyes. Keep perfect wisdom and careful thinking. And they will be life to your soul and a chain of beauty to your neck. (Proverbs 3:21-22 NLV) God's wisdom, which also creates in us a sound mind, is all we need to not only live, but to live life to the full. Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power. (Colossians 2:8-10)
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