3 ways to grow in wisdom

Jonathan Hayashi Sept. 1, 2024

my saved content

VIEW AS
A PDF

adobe

Life isn't easy, is it? We may be able to retreat from the battle for a little while, but life is full of complex situations that make us feel like we are in the middle of a machine gun arsenal of World War 3. We also live in the most complex time in history! We have a compilation of minor and major issues to deal with. For example, we may have to deal with…

• Serious terminal illness
• Loss of an intimate relationship
• The nonstop anxious digital world
• Hurry culture that idolizes technology

How can we find a way around all these challenges? Should we run and hide? Can we bulldoze through them?

We need wisdom to navigate through these obstacles of life? Proverbs gives us great wisdom to help us through it all.

#1The purpose of wisdom

The quest for wisdom is the same ancient story of all mankind, isn't it? Proverbs is one of the most practical books in the Bible.

Solomon lays out the purpose of wisdom is for this sole purpose, FEAR GOD! "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction" (Prov. 1:7).

We live in a world that has little regard for God. We have turned away from God.

#2 The righteous living as wise men

A man once told me, "Life is a series of choices." That stuck with me, cause that's true, isn't it? Solomon speaks of two options: 1) Lady wisdom vs. 2) Madam Folly. Lady Wisdom asks, "Which road will you take?" as her other seductive sister Lady Folly stands in the way.

I love Proverbs because they are helpful observations about life. Here are a few:

• "When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent" (Prov. 10:19).
• "There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death" (Prov. 14:12).
• "A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger" (Prov. 15:1).
• "The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps" (Prov. 16:9).
• "A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity" (Prov. 17:17).
• "A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones" (Prov. 17:22).
• "Before destruction a man's heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor" (Prov. 18:12).
• "Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it" (Prov. 22:6).
• "Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another" (Prov. 27:17).
• "Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy" (Prov. 28:13).

Someone asked me recently, "What's the difference between knowledge and wisdom?" Wisdom is the idea that you have skills for living. Practical knowledge that helps one live uprightly before the lord.

When you have wisdom, you live "rightly" which means, you're a righteous man. Therefore, a wise man is a man with righteousness. A righteous man is a man of wisdom.

Chuck Swindoll once said, "Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it."

#3 The words of wisdom from two gentlemen

When we read Proverbs 30-31, these two authors here are NOT Solomon but Agur and Lemuel. For those who do not know, Solomon is the third king during the United Kingdom era (Saul, David, then Solomon.)

Solomon asked for one thing from God, which God poured his favor and grace—because his heart was in tune with God. "Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked for possessions, wealth, honor, or the life of those who hate you, and have not even asked for long life, but have asked for wisdom and knowledge for yourself that you may govern my people over whom I have made you king" (2 Chron. 1:11).

Therefore, God gifted Solomon with the gift of wisdom like no other. That is the reason Solomon often is referred to as the wisest man who ever lived. The wisdom he showed in 1 Kings 3:16-28 with two mothers who claimed to be their child. He put knowledge into action with his decision.

As we think of a complex situation, we need to be thinking in the framework of right vs. wrong but in the framework of wise vs. foolish.

Make it a habit to read God's Word

We all need wisdom, don't we? How do we get it? By reading the Bible, praying the Bible, singing the Bible, meditating on the Bible, memorizing the Bible, obeying the Bible, preaching the Bible, being transformed by the Bible, and living out the Bible.

my saved content

VIEW AS
A PDF

Dr. Jonathan Hayashi earned his B.A. from Moody Bible Institute with a double concentration in Pastoral Ministry and Biblical Studies; a M.A., in Congregational Leadership from Moody Theological Seminary, and Doctorate of Educational Ministry in Biblical Counseling from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He presently serves on the Executive Committee at Southwest Baptist University (Bolivar, MO) and serves on the Board of Trustees at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He served as Senior Pastor at Northern Hills Baptist Church Holt, Missouri from 2020-2022. Learn More »

• Check off these 5 things to address conflict graciously (by Jordan Raynor)
• Self-leadership: the foundational skill every leader needs to build a thriving culture (by Jenni Catron)
• Walking in swing (by Christopher Beth)
• Journaling can lift you to new heights (by Eric Daniel)

Free eBook

Steps to Launching Your Personal Workplace Ministry

Have you ever felt the pull to full-time ministry work as a missionary or pastor? If not, you can still make a Kingdom impact without quitting your current job. In this eBook, you will learn the four essentials that can change your perspective of work, your workplace, and most importantly, your heart.

Download Now