The entire book of Proverbs can be summed up in two words; two words that appear in Proverbs 4:5. It is a book about wisdom and insight - or understanding, or the word I prefer, discernment. Look at verses 5 and 6, which are an appeal to let these be the guiding principles of our lives.
Get wisdom; get insight;
do not forget, and do not turn away from the words of my mouth.
Do not forsake her, and she will keep you;
love her, and she will guard you.
Wisdom, as used in the Hebrew language, can best be defined as living skillfully - making the choices necessary to live life well. The word is used to describe those who do something well. A woodworker who builds exquisite furniture would be a "wise woodworker." Derek Jeter was a "wise shortstop. He developed his skills so that he could do his job well.
In life, wisdom is the ability to choose that which honors God and brings his blessing into our lives. Every moral and spiritual choice has consequences and will either bring on us the unpleasant effects of folly or God's blessings and grace. The wise man studies God's word and walks in obedience to God, learning to choose God's way. Basically, wisdom is the ability to read the roadmap to the place of God's blessing.
Folly, in contrast, is the path of self-will, of rebellion against God and of following one's instincts and the ways of the world. The wise man must learn to reject instinct and the world's ways to choose God's word, God's will and God's way.
How does he do that? Discernment. This word is translated by many English words - insight, understanding and others. But it is the Hebrew word "between." It is the ability, gained from the study of God's word and the internal ministry of the Holy Spirit, to distinguish between the way of God and the ways of sin, folly and the world.
When I lived in Dallas, I was constantly lost. This was long before GPS or Mapquest, so I kept a map on my dashboard. When I got turned around, I got out the map, drove until I found an interstate, got my bearings, and figured out how to get where I wanted to go.
When I have a choice to make, I can rely on my own wisdom and conscience and do what I think is right. That will usually lead to trouble. Or, I can rely on the word of God and walk in obedience to the principles of wisdom and truth defined there. When I walk in obedience to God's word I will receive blessing rather than suffering the consequences of sin.
Of course, there are gospel aspects here. We are not saved by our good choices, but by God's grace. And he is gracious beyond what we deserve. But the Proverbs Principle is still in effect. "You reap what you sow." Choose well and experience life's blessings. Choose folly and suffer the consequences of those choices.
That is why Bible study, prayer and obedience to God's word are so important. It is God's word that builds discernment in our hearts so that we can choose what is right, walk in wisdom, and experience the blessings of obedience.
Lord, thank you for wisdom and discernment, gifts that come from you. May I be faithful in studying your word daily so that I might discern your ways and choose what is right. May I walk in wisdom every day.
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