Why should a Christian seek wisdom? Why is it so critical to our daily lives?
1. Wisdom provides a sense of personal security, stability, and
well-being.
“My son . . . keep sound wisdom and discretion . . . Then you will walk on your way securely, and your foot will not stumble. If you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. Do not be afraid of sudden terror or of the ruin of the wicked, when it comes, for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught.”
(Prov. 3:21-26)
2. Wisdom builds strong homes and promotes happy family relationships.
“By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established.” (Pr. 24:3) “A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish son is a sorrow to his mother.” (Pr. 10:1) “A foolish son is ruin to his father, and a wife’s quarreling is a continual dripping of rain.” (Prov. 19:13)
3. Wisdom earns favor in the workplace.
“A servant who deals wisely has the king’s favor.” (Prov. 14:35) . . . Impress your boss! Wisdom makes you a more valuable employee. “A servant who deals wisely will rule over a son who acts shamefully and will share the inheritance as one of the brothers.” (Prov. 17:2) Sometimes those in the lowest position end up having the greatest influence, because they are wise. Think of Joseph, who was sold as a slave into Potiphar’s house in Egypt: His master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD caused all that he did to succeed in his hands. So Joseph found favor in his sight and attended him, and he made him overseer of his house and put him in charge of all that he had. (Gen. 39:3-4)
4. Wisdom enables you to overcome major obstacles and opposition.
“A wise man scales the city of the mighty and brings down the stronghold in which they trust.” (Prov. 21:22) “By wise guidance you can wage your war.” (Prov. 24:6) “Wisdom is better than weapons of war.” (Eccles. 9:18) “A wise man is full of strength.” (Prov. 24:5)
5. Wisdom helps you work smarter, not harder.
“If the iron is blunt, and one does not sharpen the edge, he must use more strength, but wisdom helps one to succeed.” (Eccles. 10:10)
6. Wisdom exalts you before others.
“The wise will inherit honor, but fools get disgrace.” (Prov. 3:35)
7. Wisdom diffuses angry people/situations.
“Scoffers set a city aflame, but the wise turn away wrath.” (Prov. 29:8)
“A king’s wrath is a messenger of death, and a wise man will appease it.”
(Prov. 16:14)
8. Wisdom affects your physical health/well-being.
“A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot.”
(Prov. 14:30) “Fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment [medicine] to your bones.” (Prov. 3:7-8)
9. Wisdom provides protection.
“Discretion will watch over you, understanding will guard you, delivering you from the way of evil, from men of perverted speech, who forsake the paths of uprightness to walk in the ways of darkness . . . So you will be delivered from the forbidden woman, from the adulteress with her smooth words.”
(Prov. 2:11-16)