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The Wisdom Walk

I'm reading Proverbs 4 and 5 and some of the takeaway points were:
(1) learn about wisdom and instruction,
(2) let your whole body be in submission to wisdom, and
(3) embrace correction

Proverbs 4 implores us to get wisdom and understanding. We learn from this chapter that King Solomon's "father" taught Solomon the value of gaining wisdom and the dangers of ignoring it. (Proverbs 4:3-4) "Wisdom is the principal thing" which sets you up for promotion, honor, grace and glory. (Proverbs 4:7-9) If we want all of these good things, we need to be given wisdom and shown the right paths. We need to be teachable. Proverbs 4 is written in a dual way where it's implied that Solomon was taught by his father King David. We can also read Solomon's words and see him speaking metaphorically as a "father" to us. This writing style was oddly soothing because it helped me get past the thoughts of - well, what should people do if they don't have godly father in their life? The answer is, God's Word and God himself acts as our father. His book freely offers the knowledge of God, which is the beginning of wisdom. We can heed the advice, the promises and warnings, in Solomon's teachings to learn about wisdom.

The next important takeaway was to actually submit to wisdom. It's not enough to know the right things to do. We have to use our wisdom and force every part of us to act with wisdom. The end of Proverbs 4 portrays a beautiful visual of making sure that our whole body is submitting itself to wisdom.
My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.
Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart.
For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.
Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee.
Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee.
Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.
Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.
These verses show us that we must train our ears, eyes, heart, flesh, mouth, hands, and feet to obey the wisdom that we have learned.

The final point that stood out was the importance of listening to and accepting godly reproof/correction. Proverbs 5 warns that ignoring instruction and not heeding advice that is meant to redirect your actions will lead you away from God and closer to pain and death. (Proverbs 5:7-13) We should not be afraid of being corrected by people with godly intentions towards us. Psalm 141:5 says, "Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness: and let him reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head..." More than once, Pastor has commented that correction is not the same as condemnation. Condemnation is an action that believes there's no hope for a person in the wrong. Correction is an action that sees potential greatness in that person and wants to point the person in the right direction. Proverbs 5 is an encouragement to have discretion, which means being able to distinguish between choices and make responsible decisions. Utilize the wise and godly people in your life to help you have discretion. Even though it may feel uncomfortable, be comfortable with allowing them to help you see your flaws because it will make you a wiser person and lead you closer to God.

Lord help us to embrace your instruction and not despise reproof. Let us be wise and use wisdom to live in ways that lead to a fuller-prosperous life, and most importantly lead us to God. Amen.

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