Godly wisdom is not merely about knowing or understanding right principles, or staying on the right path but wisdom is also about walking with the right people, to acquire it takes a process, and brings us to a desired place or outcome.
“Ultimately, wisdom and the path to life is about walking with Jesus Christ, trusting Him in every circumstance, putting Him above all else.”
We are now in Proverbs Chapter 4 in our Wisdom that Works series and Solomon is reiterating the principles found in Proverbs 1 through 3 to reinforce wisdom’s ways in the mind and, more importantly, in the heart of the listener.
“How is this relevant to us today?”
Well, all of us, no matter how intelligent or laser-focused we might be, we need to hear something over and over again before we comprehend things and before they become a part of us.
That is why Moses told the nation of Israel to commit themselves wholeheartedly to God’s commands, to repeat them again and again to their children.
To talk about them at home, when on the road, when going to bed and when getting up. He told them to tie the commands to their hands and on their forehead as reminders, and to write them on the doorposts of their houses and on their gates (Deuteronomy 6:6-9).
In the NT, Paul told the Philippian church, “I never get tired of telling you these things, and I do it to safeguard your faith” (Philippians 3:1 NLT). And as we look at Proverbs ch 4, we see Solomon iterating the earlier instructions to his kids in the same teaching style as the other biblical writers.
1 Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction; pay attention and gain understanding. 2 I give you sound learning, so do not forsake my teaching. 3 For I too was a son to my father, still tender, and cherished by my mother. 4 Then he taught me, and he said to me, “Take hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands, and you will live (Proverbs 4:1-4).
10 Listen, my son, accept what I say, and the years of your life will be many. 11 I instruct you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths.12 When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble (Proverbs 4:10-12).
18 The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day. 19 But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble (Proverbs 4:18-19).
23 Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. 24 Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. 25 Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you.26 Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. 27 Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil (Proverbs 4:23-27).
Proverbs 4 focuses on the:
People of Wisdom
Path of Wisdom
Process of Wisdom
Place of Wisdom
The People of Wisdom
Solomon hoped that one day these life lessons would land on fertile soil. That one day his kids would understand that what he was passing down to them was a “good gift” (as translated in the Septuagint) and that they in turn would pass these positive principles and ways down to their children.
But sadly, Solomon’s son, Rehoboam, who became king after him never grasped these truths, ignored the wisdom and council of older men and instead chose to follow the foolish advice of his own, young, inexperienced friends. In doing so he split the kingdom of Israel and brought judgment on God’s people.
History records that eventually he and all Israel abandoned the Law of the Lord (2 Chronicles 12:1). What do you think happened next? The Lord raised up enemies from the south to humble him. God wants us to consider who we hang out with, who we listen to and learn from.
He who walks [as a companion] with wise men will be wise, But the companions of [conceited, dull-witted] fools [are fools themselves and] will experience harm (Proverbs 13:20, AMP).
In vv. 4 - 9, Solomon is saying this is what my dad taught me, “take hold of my words with all your heart” which means to “grasp” the truth with your whole being.
The heart is the center of both our personal consciousness and our most fundamental faith commitments. When someone grasps the word of God in their heart, it’s more than just agreeing with the truths in the Bible.
In vv. 8-9 he is telling his son to love wisdom like he would love his future bride and be willing to pay whatever dowry price was required to obtain her.
Why is it important to love wisdom to this degree? It will change you from within, it will guard you and keep you from hurting yourself and others.
It will keep you from wasting your time and your life. When you grasp God’s word, it will permanently change the way you live and behave in the world. This is the truth that Solomon wanted to impart to his son.
Wisdom is far more than knowing the right principles to follow, wisdom begins by knowing and following the right person, Jesus Christ, and walking with those who follow Him.
You and I set the example when we are walking with the Lord, spending time in the Word, engaging in corporate worship, and walking with wise people.
The Path of Wisdom
Listen, my son, accept what I say, and the years of your life will be many. I instruct you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths. When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble (Proverbs 4:10-12).
Wisdom is a path or a course of life, a way we live that saves us from dangerous consequences. The picture in verses 10 through 12 is one of an intimate relationship between a son and his dad, where the dad is taking time to invest in his son by leading him along an ancient, well-worn path - a path that is safe and secure.
Some are looking for the comfortable path, where there is no need for faith, no cross (or death to self), no commitment, no change. But the question is, how do we know if and when we are on the right path for our lives?
The Process of Wisdom
The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day. But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble (Proverbs 4:18-19).
The path of the righteous is a process of growth and maturity, it is a path of faith that leads us into a progressively deeper dependence upon God.
Just like the sun gets brighter and brighter until it reaches its zenith, so those who walk on the path of wisdom will see more and more of the path and walk in greater degrees of wisdom, freedom and joy until they one day walk directly into God’s presence.
God’s wisdom is like the light of the sun that shows you how things really are, it reveals your heart, your attitudes, your motivation, your relationship to God. We will find that the more we walk in His light, the more we will be challenged, convicted, cleansed, humbled, and troubled, calmed and comforted, encouraged, excited and filled with uncontainable joy.
In short, when we walk with Christ on this path we will be changed - becoming more like Him, and fulfilling the good purpose and works He has for me.
Wisdom shows you how to avoid the traps and the snares of the devil. It shows you where and how to make proper course adjustments, where you need to die to yourself and what you need to surrender to God.
We know that this path is not a popular path, in fact, Jesus said few will find it because most are not looking for it (Matthew 7:14-15). It is not the most convenient or comfortable path but the point is that is the right path because of what it is accomplishing in my life and where it is taking me.
In the path of the righteousness is life, and in its pathway there is no death [but immortality - eternal life] (Proverbs 12:28).
No one will ever regret taking the path of life and righteousness. In contrast, the other path is the wide, popular one, where most will walk. But is a path of deep darkness; it is a deceptive path, a foolish path and the farther you walk from God, the darker the path gets. It will never reveal how things really are, your true spiritual state, where you are in your relationship to God, where you need to mature.
It will never show you the way to life or where it is actually leading you. You may think you are doing okay when compared to everyone else, that you are taking the right steps but you have no idea how spiritually dead you are to God.
Solomon knew that growing in wisdom is a process of receiving the right words and listening to the right voice.
“It’s a process of storing up God’s word in your heart every day and putting them into practice.”
That is why it is so vital to have the right people in your life because you will listen to the counsel of the ones you trust. The question is whose voice and what messages do you listen to?
The Place of Wisdom
Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil (Proverbs 4:23-27).
Time and time again the writer of Proverbs encourages his son to embrace his teaching, to give it the primary place in his heart, because his words give life. In vv. 24-27, Solomon is telling him to guard his heart and to carefully consider every step that he takes because of the many influences around him.
This is what God is saying to us through His Word - to carefully consider each step we take and to guard our hearts because whatever fills your heart affects you as a person - morally, emotionally, mentally, spiritually and it manifested physically (Proverbs 22:7, 25:20: Psalm 4:7, Job 27:6, Genesis 18:5).
“There are so many voices competing for our hearts and the one who has our heart has us.”
When God’s Spirit fills you and His wisdom resides in the heart, He keeps you on the path of life, He fills your heart and mind with wisdom and provides the source of words for our mouths (v. 24). Wisdom will keep you from saying things that are hurtful, insensitive, contentious, things that twist the truth, or cast a negative light on others, things you would later regret.
When God and his Word have a primary place in your heart, then He gives discernment or sight for the eyes (v. 25), He guides your steps (v. 26).
The key to staying on the path of life is giving your heart to God and having His teachings housed right in the middle of your heart. It is not a one time thing, it’s a decision I make every day.
The things that are in your heart - your desires, your hurts, your fears, your temptations, doubts, past, failures, regrets, burdens, your bitterness, must be given to the Lord because He is the only One who can change your heart.
He alone can give you a clean heart, can strengthen and direct it. When you give your hearts to God, you will find peace, true happiness, forgiveness, grace, mercy, love.
Do you really want to find life and fulfilment? Be around people of wisdom who lead you to the path of wisdom and point you to
“the person of Wisdom - Jesus.”
As you walk with Jesus on the path of Wisdom you will grow more and more. Lastly continue to give God your heart and he will change it, cleanse and strengthen it. Let His word, his wisdom dwell there.
