Pay Attention to Wisdom

"My son, pay attention to my wisdom; listen closely to my understanding so that you may maintain discretion and your lips safeguard knowledge" (Prov. 5:1-2, HCSB).

Although wisdom is a highly valuable commodity, it is rarely sought after today.  Gold may be more expensive and easier to attain, but it is much less valuable.  Solomon urges his "son" to take heed to his words.  They are words that aid in the navigation of life.  But they are more, they are life itself.

Wisdom, in the biblical sense, is the guide to walking in a way that pleases God.  Being wise is part science, part art, part hard work, and all of faith.  Wisdom knows that the guidelines enable freedom, when foolishness sees them as a loss of freedom.  Wisdom knows that our knowledge is finite, and it rests in the infinite wisdom of God.

The human heart is like a garden.  Left alone, it will bear little fruit because it quickly becomes overrun with weeds.  An undisciplined heart is a jungle of confusing motives and jumbled passions.  This overgrowth endangers the fruit the Word can produce.

We must be diligent in the garden of our hearts--carefully weeding out all selfish ambition, pride, malice, etc.  By faith, we must labor diligently to put the Word into practice in our lives.  Solomon says, "pay attention," and "listen closely."  These things we must do, but he is not calling us to the mere use of our ears.  No, he is calling us to listen as one who will be quick to respond.  We listen in order to make certain that our actions will be the very ones our teacher would have us to do.

This kind of listen is fitting for followers of Christ, because in order to be a follower one must first believe and then obey Christ's commands.  Without obedience there is no hope of salvation.  Some might object, "Don't you mean, 'Without faith there is no hope of salvation?'".  No, I mean what James meant.  Faith that doesn't produce obedience is not saving faith.  And true obedience to Jesus will always be driven by faith.

If we pursue wisdom, or to put it as Jesus did: if we will build our life upon the teachings of Jesus, then we will learn discretion and our lips will safeguard knowledge.  That is to say, we will know how to please God and be able to teach others to do the same. 

Are you paying attention to the wise?  Do you listen carefully to the Word of God with an obedient heart?  Do you consider yourself wise?  Do others?  If you feel like you lack wisdom, keep reading the Bible and combining what you read with faithful obedience.