How Do I Become Wise?

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Proverbs 3:1-12

How Do I Become Wise?

The Book of Proverbs has much to teach us about how God wants us to live our lives. The English Dictionary definition of a proverb is “a concise saying that illustrates a truth.” The Latin word, proverbium is the derivative word from which the English word proverb came. It means “ a simple and concrete saying popularly known and repeated, which expresses a truth based on common sense or the practical experience of mankind.” The English definition is more specific that the Latin description. The Hebrew word from which proverb is translated is considerably broader than either the Latin or the English word. Most proverbs in the Bible are short, compact statements that express truths about human behavior. Not only are they observations about human behavior, but they are also universal truths that, if obeyed, enhance our lives. These tenets, when followed, are often accompanied by a blessing. “A wise son brings joy to his father."  (10:1) is a prime example. This is a simple, direct truth. If your son is wise, you will be pleased. Notice that the father is blessed because of the son’s wisdom, and guess who imparted these values to his offspring?

These terse statements can be misinterpreted as rules, laws or literal promises without exception. For example, Proverbs 10:27 states, “the years of the wicked are cut short, while the righteous live long and prosperous lives.” If that verse was interpreted literally, then all wicked people would live short lives and all who are righteous would not only live long lives, but would be prosperous. As a short, concise statement of truth, you can see that in general the wicked live lives of hate and despair, while the righteous have lives full of richness and love. The concept of longevity and blessing for the righteous is an over-arching truth, and must be a guide to inspire us to holy living

KEYS TO EFFECTIVE INSTRUCTION

Let’s examine one truth, Proverbs 3:1-2: “My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands upon your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity.” Chapter 3 of Proverbs focuses upon living a life of faith and commitment to God. In this verse, the truth is that we must not only know the commands of our fathers, but we must keep them in our hearts, ready to use when needed. We must not only know the truth, but understand it so deeply that we instinctively respond to any situation in a godly manner. The more intimately we know God and His character, the more we will live holy lives. Moses gives practical advice to parents upon how to impress divine truth upon the minds and hearts of our children in Deuteronomy 11:18-21:

“Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates, so that your days and the days of your children may be many in the land that the LORD swore to give your forefathers, as many as the days that the heavens are above the earth.” NIV

Note the various teaching methods Moses describes in this insightful passage: memorization, instruction, discussion, writing. Every educator knows that the more ways a student interacts with a concept, the more clearly and deeply he un- derstands it. Aural, visual, and kinesthetic learning are all part of training a child. Each verb colorfully depicts such pur- poseful instruction: fix, tie, bind, teach, talk, write. Note the frequency and repetition the parent is encouraged to use- when sitting at home, when walking along the road, when resting and waking. This passage in the Pentateuch was proba- bly the inspiration for the first nine chapters of Solomon’s book.

One of every Christian parent’s paramount duties is to teach a child about life and faith. We do so directly and indirectly. We purposefully teach God’s Word, Christian values, relational family principles, and moral responsibility. Indirectly we model authentic faith and practice. The most powerful method of imparting life to our children is by our example. Proverbs 3:1-2 simply states a child should keep the commands taught by his or her parents. If they do keep those com- mands, they will prolong their lives (notice that it is not an unconditional guarantee of longer life, simply an observation that life is lengthened because destructive behaviors and habits are eliminated from daily living) and have prosperity (notice that it doesn’t guarantee earthly wealth, but abundant life).

• What evidence of godly behavior do you observe in your children (physical or spiritual)?

Are their responses consistent? Do you observe that they have a clear understanding of God’s principles in their lives? What qualities are most in evidence? What challenges do they face?

• How have you imprinted God’s truths upon your own heart? Did your parents or godly influencers intentionally teach you Christian values? How did they do so?

• Examine your life--can you think of at least two times when you instinctively responded in a godly way to a crisis or temptation?

What were the circumstances you faced? What was your reaction? How did it make you feel to know you experienced spiritual victory? What impact did that have on your future actions?

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King Solomon, the wisest man on earth, wrote the practical book of Proverbs to teach us how to live. One of his first teachings was to “Get wisdom, seek her and find her.”