Proverbs 1:7-10
7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. 8 Hear, my son, your father's instruction, and forsake not your mother's teaching, 9 for they are a graceful garland for your head and pendants for your neck. 10 My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent.
Verse 7 is perhaps the central theme of the book of Proverbs, that wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord, and in contrast fools despise instruction. Wisdom is obviously a good thing, something that everyone desires, but the real issue is how do we get wisdom? Solomon reminds us that there is a cost to wisdom. It requires accepting instruction (verses 7-8), fearing the Lord (verse 7), and turning away from sin (verse 10). I may wish that there was an easier, more pleasurable way to receive wisdom, but there isn't. At the heart of Solomon's teaching is an understanding that we are not wise in ourselves, that we need to humble our pride and turn to God, the source of wisdom. We get into trouble when we think that we are good enough, or know enough, and then turn a deaf ear to God. Only by submitting our will to His will do we become wise and able to resist sin.
Lord, grant me a humble heart to receive Your wisdom.
7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. 8 Hear, my son, your father's instruction, and forsake not your mother's teaching, 9 for they are a graceful garland for your head and pendants for your neck. 10 My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent.
Verse 7 is perhaps the central theme of the book of Proverbs, that wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord, and in contrast fools despise instruction. Wisdom is obviously a good thing, something that everyone desires, but the real issue is how do we get wisdom? Solomon reminds us that there is a cost to wisdom. It requires accepting instruction (verses 7-8), fearing the Lord (verse 7), and turning away from sin (verse 10). I may wish that there was an easier, more pleasurable way to receive wisdom, but there isn't. At the heart of Solomon's teaching is an understanding that we are not wise in ourselves, that we need to humble our pride and turn to God, the source of wisdom. We get into trouble when we think that we are good enough, or know enough, and then turn a deaf ear to God. Only by submitting our will to His will do we become wise and able to resist sin.
Lord, grant me a humble heart to receive Your wisdom.