Proverbs 1
When the Pastoral Committee was trying to decide on what to read for this year, the first suggestion that came from Pr Simon Chin was to read the book of Proverbs. There are many lessons we can learn from it that can help us to grow in our spiritual life in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation. All we have to do is to just start reading, thinking, praying and acting on them.
Bible Passage: Proverbs 1
I find it hard to write on Proverbs 1 as I know that tonight – Pr CAQ will do a much much better sharing of lessons to be drawn from it.
But let me just share the verses that struck me the most and is something for me to underline now…
A wise man will hear and increase learning,
And a man of understanding will attain wise counsel,
~ Proverbs 1:5
Do you know of anyone whom you would call wise?
What is he or she like?
Does this person have an opinion about everything and always dishes out advice whether it is wanted or not? Do they talk took much? Maybe not. If we know of someone like that – we may dismiss that person as a “know it all” and after a while – whatever is said just becomes background noise.
But the people whom we (at least I) tend to think as wise are normally those who do not think of theselves as wise. Instead, they continue to strive to learn from those around them. They are not puffed up with knowledge and do not seek the vain glory and honour from man to praise them for their wisdom.
For some of us who think we are wise, we like to let people know, but that isn’t what Proverbs 1:5 says here.
A wise person becomes wise by hearing.
A wise person listens more than they talk.
And the good thing is that we can all learn from the wise.
Where are you in regards to wisdom? If you feel like you need some wisdom, then listen to others.
Do you have a teachable heart? Then listen more and then some more. Seek to learn more from those who know more and are more godly.
When other Christians (whether they are more mature or whether they are just peers) confront you about an issue in your life, is your first response a prideful, stubborn one, or do you genuinely want to be sharpened by others so you can gain wisdom on how to live a godly life?
Do you seek out more preachers, deacons or more matured believers to gain their wisdom, or do you just depend on yourself?
Do you constantly read the Bible to gain God’s wisdom, or are you lethargic in your pursuit of the Lord?
Are you serious about gaining every little bit of wisdom you can gain from God and other strong believers? Solomon, the author of most of the Proverbs was, and God blessed him for it.
I realised that there are lots of questions here. Well.. these are questions that I asked myself and I hope they can spur you to think more also.
The most important wisdom we should seek is the wisdom unto salvation (2 Tim 3:15). This comes from reading the Word more. Listening to the Word more. Studying the Word more. Discussing the Word more. Praying the Word more.
We must practice the art of Godly listening today.
Proverbs 1 ends with a warning: If you do not fear the Lord or seek his wisdom:
28 “ Then they will call on me, but I will not answer;
They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me.
29 Because they hated knowledge
And did not choose the fear of the LORD,
30 They would have none of my counsel
And despised my every rebuke.
31 Therefore they shall eat the fruit of their own way,
And be filled to the full with their own fancies.
32 For the turning away of the simple will slay them,
And the complacency of fools will destroy them;
33 But whoever listens to me will dwell safely,
And will be secure, without fear of evil.”
~ Proverbs 1:28-33
I don’t know about you but I certainly do not want to be in the position where I seek God diligently and yet … do not find Him!
I certainly do not want to eat the fruit of my own way and be destroyed.
I want to be safe and secure – without any fear of evil.
And the only way to do that is to listen to God.
Have you started listening today?
3 Comments
BurningBush
“A wise man will hear and increase learning, And a man of understanding will attain wise counsel…” – Proverbs 1:5.
This was the verse that caught the glimpse of my eye as I read through the introductory chapter of Proverbs. Indeed, Godly wisdom is not worldly wisdom – who ever says that being wise is to be able to “know it all” and “have a lot to say”? For a wise man will gain much from listening to and learning from others, and as a result, acquire new understanding, knowledge, and wise words from Godly people.
This verse also reminded me about how we should always remain humble and teachable in the Lord. For then, as the rest of this chapter unfolds, it taught me about the consequences of walking astray from the Lord by not heeding His word, not seeking wisdom, and not fearing God.
Hence, this verse – “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” – precisely sums it all up! 🙂
Then again, if we fear the Lord, we wouldn’t have the time to fear evil anyway.
isfp
Haiz… I can relate to verse 20 to 31. And i need to work on it.
When wisdom calls aloud(v20), it is liken to advices that Bro/Sis gives to you for a problem or trouble that you face. Sometimes, listener(including myself), is stubborn and might “spurned”(v30) the advice. That is when calamity strikes, you will “eat of the fruits of your ways” (v31)
As illustrated in the previous paragraph, I agree that Fear of God is beginning of knowledge. Because, when we don’t fear God’s power and ability to punish us for not walking in His righteousness, we will most likely ignore Bro/Sis advices and do what we deem is right. If we still think God will keep pardoning our ignorance, then better think twice before it is too late to revert back. i.e ““Then they will call to me but I will not answer; they will look for me but will not find me”(v28)
PS
Let me stretch it a bit.
Wisdom calls aloud outside;
She speaks her words:
“Turn at my rebuke;
Surely I will pour out my spirit on you.
I will make my words known to you.
Whoever listens to me will dwell safely,
And will be secure, without the fear of evil.”
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge.
A man cannot serve two masters. A man also cannot fear God and the devil.
Solomon’s wisdom came from God.
When we fear God and give Him our heart, Wisdom comes in and stay. Wisdom pours out His Spirit on us and makes known His words to us.
We learn to truly fear God. And fear God only.
Yes, it is indeed this simple:
Give Him our heart.