Did you hear about the inquisitive college professor who walked past a mental hospital years ago?  On the other side of the fence he could hear a number of patients shouting in unison; “Thirteen!  Thirteen!  Thirteen!”

The fence was too high to see over but spotting a little knothole in the planks he couldn’t resist the temptation to look and see what was going on.

When he did, a malicious soul on the inside poked him in the eye with a stick.  Then the patients all started shouting, “Fourteen!  Fourteen!  Fourteen!”

Benefits of wisdom

King Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, compiled a plethora of proverbs to help people live the safest and most fulfilling life possible.

He stated his purpose in the opening paragraph of the book, “for attaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of insight; for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair; for giving prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young” (Prov. 1:3-4).

We can all benefit from wisdom about human nature and our worldly surroundings.

Without a spirit of discernment even the most educated of persons is vulnerable to hurt and disillusionment.  But Solomon promised, “…whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without harm” (1:33).

Knowledge and wisdom compared

There is a big difference between knowledge and wisdom. Knowledge is the accumulation of facts; wisdom is the ability to apply those facts to everyday situations. 

Knowledge is horizontal-it focuses on understanding this world.  Wisdom is vertical-it’s the ability to see life from God’s perspective.

Knowledge is often proud that it knows so much and trusts in itself; wisdom is humbled that there is so much more to learn and has a teachable spirit.

A person can have very little formal education and be wise; on the other hand a person can have a PhD in nuclear physics and be lacking in common sense.  We’ve all known brilliant, well educated people who didn’t have enough common sense not to not drink and drive.

Of course the ideal is to be well-informed and wise at the same time so, “let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance” (1:5).

Solomon taught the first and most important step in attaining wisdom is to respect God.

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge but fools despise wisdom and discipline” (1:7).

When there is no fear of God people trust in their own judgment and are easily led astray because, “There is a way that seems right unto man, but in the end it leads to death” (Proverbs 14:12).

Wisdom that saves

The primary source of wisdom is the Word of God.  “For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding” (2:6).  

There are other sources of wisdom of course; parental instruction (1:8), the counsel of wise people (3:1), choosing righteous people as role models (2:20), ignoring sinners (4:14), and learning from personal experience. (4:26).

But when people read the book that was God-breathed they come to know the mind of God and to think the thoughts of God.

The book of Proverbs is a fountain of wisdom.

Solomon assures us, “Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men, from men whose words are perverse, who leave the straight paths to walk in dark ways, who delight in doing wrong and rejoice in the perverseness of evil, whose paths are crooked and who are devious in their ways” (2:12-15).

Let’s heed Solomon’s timeless counsel: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight” (3:5-6).

It may save you from getting poked in the eye!
_______________________________________________________________

Bob Russell retired from his position as the senior minister of Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, Kentucky where he served for 40 years. During his tenure, Southeast grew to become one of the ten largest churches in America. Russell is nationally known and respected for his clear, biblical preaching. He is the author of more than a dozen books, including When God Builds a Church and When God Answers Prayer.