How to be wise

3 principles of biblical wisdom

There’s one obvious place to start when you’ve got questions about the nature of wisdom: the book of Proverbs. I’ve been slowly working through the Bible on audio for the first time this year, and the last couple weeks brought me to this collection of wisdom attributed largely to Israel’s third king, Solomon.

Listening to Proverbs straight through has been an interesting and slightly amusing experience. It contains nearly 1,000 individual teachings about all aspects of life, so sometimes I’ve experienced a bit of whiplash as the topic changes from finances to marriage to parenting to temperance.

But, I also find myself nodding in agreement as I listen along. I’ve only taken a few steps down the path of wisdom, but even from here I can affirm that, “One who is wise is cautious and turns away from evil, but a fool is reckless and careless.” (Proverbs 14:16)

Proverbs aren’t prophecies; they’re observations collected from a discerning mind. I think that’s why some of them seem so modern, even though they were written and compiled thousands of years ago.

What is wisdom?

There are effectively two paths presented to readers of Proverbs: the path of wisdom, and the path of folly. These are evident even in the example I mentioned earlier; most proverbs follow a similar pattern to that one, a simple comparison between the two options.

The word that we translate as “wisdom” is the Hebrew word chokhmah, and its meaning encompasses more than simple knowledge; the concept is closer to “skill” or “applied knowledge,” the ability and experience to put ideas into practice in everyday life.

Foolishness, by contrast, isn’t just presented as undesirable; it’s a moral evil, a fundamentally sinful way of life. I think it’s likely that modern vernacular has allowed this term to lose a bit of its gravity. To be a foolish person in this context is no light offense.

With that background, the familiar words from the first chapter sit a little bit more heavily on my heart: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.” (Proverbs 1:7)

So, what does Proverbs tell us about how to attain wisdom?

3 principles of Biblical wisdom

1. It’s always accompanied by humility.

When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom.
Proverbs 11:2

A wise son hears his father’s instruction, but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.
Proverbs 13:1

The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who can answer sensibly.
Proverbs 26:16

One of the many recurrent themes in Proverbs is the relationship between wisdom and humility (and, alternatively, the relationship between foolishness and pride).

The fool is identified by his unwillingness to submit to anyone aside from himself and his own appetites. He lacks respect for those who he should be learning from, esteeming his own instincts more highly than any wisdom they may have attained during their lives.

It’s certainly not prudent to take advice from everyone who offers…but that’s not really the situation that’s being described here. A wise person considers the source, and also considers himself with humility, recognizing that he likely has much to learn from those who have gone before.

2. It’s marked by moderation.

A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.
Proverbs 15:4

Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.
Proverbs 16:32

Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man’s dwelling, but a foolish man devours it.
Proverbs 21:20

Moderation, temperance, and prudence are also common themes among the wise. Long before Paul introduced the concept of the fruits of the spirit, Solomon recognized that self-control was something to strive for.

The concept applies in all areas of life: speech; emotional regulation; relationships; consumption of fine foods, expensive goods, and alcohol. The wise person does not let anger carry him away or allow his mouth to outrun his conscious mind. He is acquainted with fasting and with feasting, but not necessarily extreme asceticism or gluttony.

3. It’s primarily concerned with Godliness.

Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors him.
Proverbs 14:31

The discerning sets his face toward wisdom, but the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.
Proverbs 17:24

The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.
Proverbs 18:10

Perhaps most importantly, the wise man becomes wise by submitting to True Wisdom. Such a lifestyle has significant consequences.

The life of the wise is one that is wholly focused on God himself. There is no space for distraction; no need to look anywhere else to fulfill his desire for safety, comfort, or importance. His entire value structure is rearranged; Maslow has to return to the drawing board to reorder his hierarchy of needs.

Once this happens, the impacts are evident. He begins viewing other people not as inconveniences or as means to an end, but as beautiful images of their Father in heaven. He begins to lose interest in the passing fads and political fights of the world around him. His disposition is one of peace, and he depends on God for his every need.

The life of the wise isn’t necessarily easy, but the wise aren’t looking for a smooth path; they’re looking past the difficulties of this life and toward the face of the Creator who sustains them in every moment, only striving to see him more clearly and to know him more fully.

A recommendation:

I can’t introduce a book without spending some time researching it on the BibleProject site. Here’s a great overview of Proverbs that really helped me appreciate it more!

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