Do you put a premium on pursuing wisdom?
Do you know this pursuit can make all the difference in your future?
- Some people are intelligent, yet they don’t seem to have much wisdom.
- Some people are articulate, yet they use poor judgement.
- Some people are very talented, yet they make some very unwise decisions.
- Some people are charming, yet they place themselves in some unwise and even compromising situations.
- Some people gain much attention from others, yet they are shallow and lack any depth.
- Some people advance quickly in their careers only destroy themselves and their family through unwise choices.
Here are four ways to pursue wisdom:
1. Read the wisdom literature of the Bible. Read books such as Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and James. Examine wise and foolish persons in Scripture. Be a student of wisdom.
2. Pray that the Lord will give you wisdom regarding your habits, your actions, your words, and your decisions. Confess to him when you have behaved foolishly.
3. Learn from people whose lives reflect wisdom. Ask them questions. For example, suppose you know a Christian businessperson whose life reflects wisdom and godliness. You might ask questions such as:
- What habits or practices have helped you grow in wisdom?
- How do you maintain a growing vibrant marriage while under stress and pressure at work?
- How have you dealt with sexual temptation in your life? Are there any particular practices or habits that you have while traveling and staying in hotels for meetings, conventions, etc.? What would you recommend to a young man or woman?
- How have you kept your priorities God-centered?
4. Listen to the words of godly people in your life who raise questions or voice concerns about some aspect of your life.
- Does your wife (husband) tell you that he feels uneasy about a particular person in your life?
- Does a friend raise a question about changes that he is seeing in your behavior or moods?
- Does a co-worker (who happens to be a Christian) raise questions about some decisions you have recently made?
Question:
When you think about wise men or women you know, what words might you use to describe their lives?