S) "5 A wise man will hear and increase in learning,
And a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel,"
Proverbs 1:5 (NASB)
O) This is nestled in the introduction to the Proverbs, where Solomon drew the reader into the Proverbs by pointing out that wisdom is not produced internally. The chapter as a whole, including the personification of wisdom, really drives the point that wisdom is not inherent, but the above verse sort of sums that up. The word, "hear" makes it clear that the wise man is receiving input. Then, the man of understanding acquires wise counsel, so again it's from an outside source. Wisdom (that's worth anything, anyway) comes from God first. It's important to remember that, but equally, it's important to remember that wisdom does not come from within. I need to seek it outside myself. I need to seek counsel, and I need to hear it.
A) I actually experienced this recently. It is amazing the way God can use other people to impart wisdom, when we do the following three things.
1 - Humbly realize that there are answers to questions that are beyond us.
2 - Ask God for a wise counselor, who can obediently speak as the Holy Spirit leads.
3 - Ask people for willingness to talk through things.
God wants His children to have wisdom (what parent would not want that?!), so I need to ask for it. God is faithful to put people in my life who can speak to me His wisdom, His will. I just need to ask for, and seek, those encounters.
A) I actually experienced this recently. It is amazing the way God can use other people to impart wisdom, when we do the following three things.
1 - Humbly realize that there are answers to questions that are beyond us.
2 - Ask God for a wise counselor, who can obediently speak as the Holy Spirit leads.
3 - Ask people for willingness to talk through things.
God wants His children to have wisdom (what parent would not want that?!), so I need to ask for it. God is faithful to put people in my life who can speak to me His wisdom, His will. I just need to ask for, and seek, those encounters.
P) Father, continue to remind me, even rebuke me, to know that I cannot increase my own wisdom. I will seek You first, directly, knowing that Your words hold life itself. But I also want to find the wise counsel that You have put near me, that can be in my life. Thank You for the people, the faithful servants, You have brought into my life. Please use me to bless them, even more than they have blessed me. Open my ears to hear, and my eyes to see, so that I do not miss a thing, according to Your will. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
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