Words of Wisdom Wednesday

Through the power of the Holy Spirit, I am starting "Words of Wisdom Wednesday". This where I would share a scripture or passage from the Book of Proverbs, which teaches people how to attain wisdom. You can have knowledge, which is knowing and having all the facts. However, knowledge doesn't mean a thing, if you don't have wisdom, which is applying those facts to your everyday life.

Before I begin to share, let me give you some information on the Book of Proverbs from The Spirit-Filled Life Bible.

The Book of Proverbs, which was written by King Solomon, is not just a collection of wise sayings, but a collection of collections. The book's purpose statement indicates the desire to ascertain and impart wisdom. It's unifying thought or theme is "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom" (Proverb 9:10), appearing in another form as, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning (or principal part) of knowledge" (Proverb 1:7).

1. Wisdom (the ability to judge and act according to God's directives) is the most valuable assets.

2. Wisdom is available to anyone, but the price is high.

3. Wisdom originates in God, not self, and comes by attention to instruction.

4. Wisdom and righteousness go together. It is good to be wise, and it is wise to be good.

The wisdom contained in the Book of Proverbs is as meaningful today as when it was written. Yet it is neither a prosperity pamphlet nor a "how to succeed" handbook in the worldly sense. It tells rather how to order one's values, which leads to character, which leads to wholeness, which leads to satisfaction. It warns of the pitfalls along the way, and declares the folly of not developing the fear of the Lord.

---

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,
but fools despise wisdom and instruction."
(Proverb 1:7)

Knowing God personally and humbly bowing down to His will and to His way is the first step to acquiring knowledge. Knowing God personally is developing a deep, intimate, and loving relationship with Him. Because of this love, you are able to respect, obey, honor, and be in awe of how wonderful and mighty God is (which is fearing the Lord). As a result, you dare not want to misuse the knowledge God has allow you to acquire. With that in mind, you will be open to attaining wisdom. Therefore, having the ability to applying your knowledge wisely. Not having wisdom to go along with your knowledge will only result in you looking like a fool and appearing to others as a know-it-all. You can always learn from God and others. God is the one who knows everything.

What does Proverb 1:7 say to you? Please share.

Your Sister in Christ,
Toia