Continuing on from Proverbs 1, chapter 2 invokes a call to seek wisdom as one would seek gold or silver. Wisdom is a precious thing and something that isn’t inherent in our nature. We must acknowledge God as our source for wisdom.
We study and work hard in school to gain knowledge, therefore why do we need God? Simply put, the wisdom we gain from school may make us more intelligent, but it doesn’t necessarily help us make the right life choices. We shouldn’t study the Bible as a textbook and seek to memorize every word so that we may show off. The Bible is a wonderful tool to give us knowledge and insight into the ways of God.
What about those that don’t seek wisdom from God as if it were gold or silver? Proverbs 2 warns us to be wary of people that delight in doing wrong and seeing us fall from righteousness:
12 Wisdom will save you from evil people,
from those whose words are twisted.
13 These men turn from the right way
to walk down dark paths.
14 They take pleasure in doing wrong,
and they enjoy the twisted ways of evil.
15 Their actions are crooked,
and their ways are wrong.
This was taken from the New Living Translation. It’s a stern warning that as much as we’d like to trust that everyone always has our best interest at heart, it is not the case. Let the instincts that come from having wisdom from the Lord lead you in matters with those around you. Maybe it’s a boyfriend or girlfriend that is asking you to compromise your faith and principals as a way to show that you truly love them. For others it may be a job that causes you to be away from your family for the sake of the company and you your instinct tells you that God wants you to put your family above your job. Whatever the circumstance that is bearing a burden in your heart in regards to someone else close to you, there comes a time when you have preserve your relationship with God above others and disregard the temptations and guilt that are offered by those that want you to take the darkened path of self-gratification.
If your wisdom comes from the Lord, there will be strength and peace as well. Seek God and His righteousness and invite His wisdom and discernment into your mind. Pray for strength and peace to permeate your senses and lead you to a closer relationship with God through distancing yourself from evil and darkness.
Related posts:
- Daily Devotion: Proverbs 4
- Daily Devotion: Proverbs 8
- Daily Devotion: Proverbs 17
- Daily Devotion: Proverbs 10
- Daily Devotion: Proverbs 7
Tags: daily devotion, discernment, proverbs 2, righteousness, wisdom
