Most of life’s problems today are not easy to answer. Life is full of nuance and complexities. Education, psychology, technology, and even podcast are all very important ways to learn, process information and improve your self development. This being said, you can’t always Google life’s most complex situations, and you can’t ask Siri for wisdom. So where do we turn to?

Before we get to that, we must ask the question, what is wisdom? Wisdom is competence in regards to the complex realities of life. Wisdom is not just morality or ethics or information. It’s related to them, but it’s much deeper. It’s the process of applying the right answers to life’s questions that morality and ethics alone can’t answer. One of the wisdom literatures the Bible offers is Proverbs. Proverbs was originally intended to be a sort of field manual to teach young men how to be wise in life. Here, the writer shows us, where all wisdom starts. 

Proverbs 1:7 says “ the fear of the lord is the beginning of wisdom” so, Wisdom 101 is beginning with the fear of the Lord. The fear of the Lord is a healthy respect and reverence for how God has designed the world and life itself. When Moses saw the burning bush he was genuinely afraid of God. However, in this fear, God revealed His good nature and his love for Moses. Wisdom is cultivated when we fear God more than we fear man. When we choose Gods way over our way, we take our first baby steps into wisdom. 

Are you wise? 

Proverbs 26:12 “do you see a person wise in their own eyes, there is more hope for a fool than for them.” Also 1 Corinthians 3:18 says “If any of you think you are wise by the standards of this age, you should become "fools" so that you may become wise.” If you think you're wise, you're really a fool. However, if you're painfully aware of all your short comings, and you don’t think of yourself as a wise sage, this is the right self-perspective to get wisdom. 

How do you grow rich in wisdom?

Proverbs 3:6 “In all your ways acknowledge God and he will make your paths straight.” Wisdom in life is not a grand opportunity where you make one right choice or open one door and “boom” you're wise for life. The Bible refers to wisdom as a path. How do you make a path in the forest or your back yard? By consistent steady walking. Left foot, right foot. Wisdom is cultivated in the mundane seasons of life. It’s developed in the small every day choices that shape your life and character as well. 

Now you may think to yourself, I haven't been very wise in my life. How can I change? How can I course correct and begin living in wisdom? I want to increase in wisdom. The answer is one name, Jesus. Jesus is wisdom in the flesh. He is life abundantly. He is the well spring of life. In Him is every answer, and all wisdom. Abide in His presence, and ask Him for wisdom. James 1:5 says this “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” God is generous with his wisdom and insight. In proverbs wisdom is personified as “lady wisdom” and she cries out, looking for people to hear her voice. Humble yourself and let God promote you. Be wise at work, relationships, finances, spirituality, and your time by inviting Jesus into everything we do. Do not fall into the wisdom of the age but live in the Kingdom Generation!