Articles
Don't Forget to Get...
Have you ever considered the fact we spend a good portion of our lives getting something, or doing that which will allow us to get that something? We all work in order to get food, clothing, a place to live, a car, and anything else we might want or need. We work to get. We get in the car and drive that we might get somewhere. We get in the next lane because we want to get off the interstate and get home. We eat food in order to get healthy and strengthen ourselves. We eat in order to get energy. Sometimes all we get is a bigger waistline!
In all of these things (and just about anything we do), we are getting. Like getting older! We are accumulating and amassing our personal possessions and experiences that come with living. But in all of this getting, shouldn’t we think about what is really important to get? What does God say about our getting? What should be the primary thing in our search and pursuit of things we might get? What one thing is preeminent in the list of things to get, according to what God has said?
The only way we can know the correct answer to that is to look into God’s word, so let’s look at what the Bible says about this. And let’s do that by looking into the book of Proverbs to see what the wise writer says about getting; then, let us check our inventory to see if we have added this to our possessions and, if not, let us get it!
In Proverbs 4:7, the wise writer advises his son [and us, of course], “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.” Obviously, that is wise advice, but we need to consider first what is meant.
According to Strong’s, the Hebrew word translated into our English word understanding means “knowledge, meaning, understanding, wisdom. The implication is discernment, perception (specifically, of what is good) or the ability to distinguish.” The understanding that the wise writer speaks of in this text is wisdom — the ability to discern and to distinguish. It should come as no surprise that the book attributed to the wisest man ever to live on Earth writes through inspiration that we also should get wisdom! So, what makes it possible for us to gain this understanding?
Humility. The wise writer also tells us, “When pride comes, then comes shame; but with the humble is wisdom” (Prov. 11:2). It is the humble who recognizes “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (1 Pet. 5:5, 6) and will consequently seek to be that humble one. It is the one who recognizes, too, that this was the pattern our Savior left for us (Phil. 2:5-8), and that we cannot improve on that. It is the one who recognizes “before honor is humility” (Prov. 15:33), and knows that if any honor is to come from God, this is essential.
Humility is the mindset that recognizes we don’t know it all, we are not the most important being in the universe, and the situation of others is often of greater concern than just self. It is a mind that recognizes we are in need of a Savior, and that willingly placing ourselves under His authority is the only means to forgiveness and salvation. That is wisdom!
Slow to Anger. The wise writer also notes, “He who is slow to wrath has great understanding, but he who is impulsive exalts folly” (Prov. 14:29). The one who is slow to anger is one who is more likely to be patient and longsuffering — traits of God Himself (cf. Psa. 103:8). He also knows, as the wise writer said, “He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty” (Prov. 16:32), instead of thinking great displays of anger is somehow a show of strength and patience is a sign of weakness.
Slowness to anger is an attribute of genuine love, too (1 Cor. 13:5), and I am confident we know that we have a responsibility to love our brother, love our neighbor, and even love our enemy. Lashing out in anger or in a rage does not demonstrate love or concern for others, but is often a selfish act or even a cover for one’s own wrongdoing. Choose the wise response!
Righteous Living. The wise writer also tells us, “Folly is joy to him who is destitute of discernment, but a man of understanding walks uprightly” (Prov. 15:21). All one has to do is take a quick glance at social media trends to see many lack wisdom because of this trait. Far too many think foolishness is a means to gain and popularity, and will do just about anything to achieve their goal. It is the wise who see such a life is nothing but foolishness, and of no discernible good.
If we consider “That God made man upright, but they have sought out many schemes” (Eccl. 7:29), and it was because of Satan that unrighteousness [sin] entered the world (Gen. 3:1-6), we would be wise to not continue to be contributors to the foolishness of sin and the pain, sorrow, and destruction it brings. If we desire the eternal inheritance, we must know that righteousness is the path (Psa. 37:18) that leads us there, but unrighteousness will lead us down the broad, smooth path to eternal destruction.
Respect for God. The psalmist tells us, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Psa. 111:10). It is when we truly give God the reverent respect He deserves that everything else will make sense, our whole way of thinking will change, and everything then falls into place; our lives will align with what is pleasing to God.
When we truly know who God is and reverently respect Him for who He is and what He has done and has promised, we will then seek to do those things that are pleasing to Him — we will seek to do His will. And I say “do,” because simply knowing it or hearing it is not enough. Jesus Himself said, “Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven” (Matt. 7:21-23). James likewise admonishes us, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves” (Jas. 1:22). If we know the will of God, but do not do it, can we honestly say we reverently respect Him? Can we then argue that we are wise if we refuse?
It must be said that this understanding [wisdom] is not the wisdom of men, but the wisdom of God; and it must also be said that it does not come by merely the passage of time or chance. No, the wise writer again admonished his son, “Incline your ear to wisdom, and apply your heart to understanding; yes, if you cry out for discernment, and lift up your voice for understanding, if you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures; then you will understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God” (Prov. 2:2-5). Gaining this wisdom takes desire and a continuous and diligent effort.
Let us be reminded that, as Paul wrote, God “made foolish the wisdom of this world” and, “the world through wisdom did not know God” (1 Cor. 1:20, 21). Man’s wisdom is essentially worthless, in the end, because no man can ever approach the wisdom and knowledge of God. All the ‘book learning’ and ‘street smarts’ one may ever gain cannot provide the means to forgiveness and salvation from eternal destruction, but the understanding of which the wise writer speaks can. Knowing God’s will and doing it can.
It is when we profess ourselves wise — outside the wisdom of God — that we take the first steps to destruction (Rom. 1:22). Choose humility, instead. — Steven Harper
