The Only Desire To Have Proverbs 4
One thing that frustrates me about the modern news cycle, whether it comes via social media, free to air news or an online news app, is that there is no depth to the stories these days. No context, no background story, no understanding of the history of the parties involved or any long dialogue to get into the facts or reasoned argument. Unfortunately, the result is emotionalism, cancel culture, intolerance, impatience, weird fringe conspiracies where emotive or extreme ideological positions get an influential voice to the masses. The great loser out of it all is truth and ignorance to the masses. I have seen it in my extended family, we have all experienced it through our friends’ group and even among churches where positions will be taken and then emotive arguments start taking centre stage.
The issue or the concern is – where do you get your information, and what’s the heart and end goal? If your news source or information base is from your Facebook feed, Twitter, news.com or TikTok – can I tell you – you’re in trouble. But even if it is an online news service or even a paid subscription, there are no longer guarantees for objective truth on any given topic. Why? Because the driver is online subscriptions, likes, clicks, shares; truth and money or online influence or often at polar ends to each other. Sound bites are never a healthy meal; a tantalising snack maybe, but never the basis for a good diet. There is no totally unbiased reporting. I have a bias as I’m speaking to you now. You have to ask – what is the final goal? If money, position or recognition was taken away, would the news source continue?
How do we cut through the noise? No, before we just jump to -oh we just read the Bible, can I tell you I know some well-versed people who know their bibles, but are neither discerning or wise. Satan knows the bible, yet that doesn’t make him wise or have a Christ centred character, even though he is incredibly intelligent.
Solomon was writing here and he said, “Get Wisdom.” (verse 5) But wisdom needs a context, because by itself it can just be a basis for prideful knowledge. Paul said the Greeks sought wisdom, but it wasn’t a compliment. He said to the Corinthian church, “For it is written, "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart." Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? … But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong.” (1 Corinthians 1:19-27) Wisdom, in this sense, can be knowledge. Knowledge can take the form of knowing about chemistry, physics, space, even bible doctrine, but that is not the wisdom Solomon was speaking about. Knowledge by itself can puff up with pride; has nothing to do with God centred wisdom.
Solomon told his sons to get wisdom, but also insight. (verse 7) This involves discernment of the heart to make right decisions based on the knowledge and hence God centred wisdom you receive.
A God-centred wisdom involves more than knowledge. It involves “insight.” (verse 7) This is combined with character: “I have taught you the way of wisdom; I have led you in the paths of uprightness.” (verse 11) Righteousness can be described as “God’s goodness.” This involves the Holy Spirit. The heart that desires wisdom receives God’s goodness and this is only possible through the interaction of the Holy Spirit. It cannot be earned or manufactured: only available by God’s grace.
So, you see that God’s wisdom involves more than just knowledge, but a way of life focussed around character that is regulated by the Lord’s Spirit.
Moral choices in the walk of Life. These young sons of Solomon’s needed moral instruction. God’s wisdom drives us to make wise decisions. He said, “When you walk, your step will not be hampered, and if you run, you will not stumble. Keep hold of instruction; do not let go; guard her, for she is your life. Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of the evil. Avoid it; do not go on it; turn away from it and pass on.” (Proverbs 4:12-15)
These decisions are particularly relevant with what we spend our time reading, who we spend time seeing, what actions we do when others not associated with our family or faith are around. Why? Because a God centred wisdom always believes that God is the silent witness to every action we do, every word we say and every thought we have. All of which we are accountable for.
That divides all the people on earth into one of 2 groups. Those who know Him and those who don’t. Only those who know Christ can have this wisdom. Jesus, of course being “the Way,” knows the way to be taken. And He said, “you are either for Me or against Me.” (Matthew 12:30): there is no middle position. The setting doesn’t change the people group, just like going to a club doesn’t make you an unbeliever any more than going to church makes you a Christian.
He gave practical advice 1. Be attentive to my words. (verse 20) 2. Keep them in sight – read the heart – meditate. (verse 21) 3. Keep your heart – from it flows the water of life. (verse 23) 4. Put off crooked speech or malicious talk – Paul said that as well. “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.”(Colossians 4:6). 5. Don’t be distracted – eyes forward, (verse 25) and “Do not swerve to the right or to the left.” (verse 26) - Jesus said to His disciples don’t turn to the right or left or greet others along the way when He sent them out 2 by 2. 6. Consider you ways, then assess. (verse 26) “Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure.” – Learn from the past.
This is to be the desire of all those who want to honour the Lord, but the Psalmist said there are blessings as we do. “Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act.” (Psalm 37:4,5)
So, can I ask you to do an assessment this week. Work out exactly how much time you spend on Linkedin or Facebook, a news feed, TikTok, Twitter – whatever is your ‘go-to’ on your phone/computer and assess how many of those things that you read: 1. Draw you closer to God – with wisdom and worship 2. Mould your character to Christ. Sound bites, media, online gaming, chat groups may keep you connected with friends, but that only keeps us in a non-growing common denominator environment, which at its core is founded in sin, ignorance and rebellion. Not all bad – tree of knowledge of good and evil has a knowledge of good, but unfortunately not a knowledge of God. Knowledge puffs up, but the knowledge and love of Christ builds up. This is how we truly love our neighbour as well as ourselves.
Can I encourage/challenge you to motivate someone you know towards seeking wisdom through His grace. Of course, prayer is the key element here.