Joel Russell-MacLean

Wisdom: The Gateway to Growing Up 

Our culture’s wisdom for growing up is to find yourself, to seek what feels right and what seems right to you.

Nothing could be further from the wisdom of God.

Over and over, Proverbs warns us not to be wise in our own eyes and not to rely on our own insight.

“There is a way that seems right to a person, but its end is the way to death.”

Proverbs teaches us that wisdom can’t be found within us. Instead, wisdom can only be received from God, the source of all wisdom. When we trust God and rely on God, when we listen to God and learn from God, God gives us wisdom, and we grow in wisdom. Young and old, wise or foolish, all can grow and keep growing if we seek God.

“My child,

if you accept my words
and treasure up my commandments within you,
making your ear attentive to wisdom
and inclining your heart to understanding;
if you indeed cry out for insight,
and raise your voice for understanding;
if you seek it like silver,
and search for it as for hidden treasures—

then you will understand the fear of the LORD
and find the knowledge of God.

For the LORD gives wisdom;
from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;

Then you will understand righteousness and justice
and equity, every good path”

Proverbs 2:1-9

For all the emphasis on learning and understanding, Proverbs teaches us that wisdom is primarily a matter of the heart. We are to write wisdom on our hearts and to love and treasure wisdom.

Foolishness is treasuring in your heart what feels good in the moment, what suits you, or what serves your own, personal interests.

Wisdom is loving God and his instructions, loving goodness, justice, mercy, loyalty and faithfulness, generosity, work, compassion, or care for others. It requires accepting that sometimes, things don’t work out for you or that sometimes, doing the right thing will cost you. Wisdom requires trusting God to set things right in the end. 

Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
and do not rely on your own insight.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
Do not be wise in your own eyes;
fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.
It will be a healing for your flesh
and a refreshment for your body.

Proverbs 3:5-8