In Proverbs, chapter four, verse five, the wisdom of God is essential for a meaningful and godly life, as in verses twenty through twenty-two of this theme chapter, and Proverbs three, verses twenty-one to twenty-two. Therefore, we must seek it above all things. However, attaining such wisdom is not easy, for it comes to those who diligently surrender for it. Wisdom comes through two avenues. God’s instruction: Through revelatory instruction, a person may experience knowledge of God that makes possible spiritual transformation and God’s kind of wisdom. The fear of the Lord motivates us to turn away from evil and is the beginning of true wisdom, as in Proverbs eight, verse thirteen, and Proverbs nine, verse ten, respectively. The other avenue is Spiritual diligence. Wisdom is for the person who sees its value and diligently seeks it, as in Proverbs eight, verse seventeen.
The wise person learns from instruction, as in Proverbs nine, verse nine, from God’s discipline, as in Proverbs three, verse eleven, and accepts God’s commandments, as in Proverbs ten, verse eight. They listen to the godly counsel of parents and others, as in Proverbs thirteen, verse ten, and treasure wisdom as more valuable than silver, gold, or precious jewels, as in Proverbs three, verses fourteen to fifteen, and Proverbs twenty-three, verse three, respectively.
Jesus Christ is the supreme manifestation of the wisdom of God, as in First Corinthians one, verse thirty, and Colossians two, verses two through three. Therefore, this Old Testament exhortation is equivalent to a call to commit our lives to Jesus Christ. We must turn from sin and self to Him, sacrificing all necessary to follow as His disciples, as in Matthew thirteen, verses forty-four through forty-six, and Luke fourteen, verse thirty-three, accordingly. Wisdom and understanding go together to overcome the devil, the accuser.