Proverbs
2 reminds me of an expression that I heard recently. “A students
work for B students at companies owned by C students”. Most public
schools are designed to achieve conformity. Those who do the best
job of following the rules, succeed academically. Statistically,
there is not much correlation between IQ and income, while there is a
strong correlation between income and dedication. Entrepreneurs
seldom conform. Most often, they follow their gut and relentlessly
pursue their goal. In this proverb, I think Solomon is referring to
the difference between “head knowledge”, and “heart knowledge”.
Knowing facts may win trivia games, but applying information to
change your life is wisdom. Solomon begins, “My
son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you…
applying
your heart to understanding…
then you
will
understand
the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God“.
Note the sequence, Fear of the Lord, leads to knowledge of God. God
lives outside of His creation. He created the laws of physics and
the laws of nature. Even if you do not study the formula, gravity
still works on you. I believe God gives us His word in order to help
us know both His will and His nature. Moses described God this way,
“Compassionate
and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness,
maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion
and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished”
(Exodus 34:6). God is perfect in compassion and perfect in judgment.
What are you dedicated to?
People
hire consultants and instructors, tutors and life coaches in order to
get smarter, but, “the
Lord gives
wisdom“. I’m
convinced that like so many other things with God, all we have to do
is ask. More than that, “From
His mouth come knowledge and understanding“.
The apostle Paul warned that “Knowledge
puffs up, but love builds up”
(1 Corinthians 8:1). Understanding requires the heart’s desire.
Note wisdom, knowledge and understanding come from His mouth. The
best commentary on the Bible IS the Bible. It is important to study
the whole Word to help avoid false interpretations. Listen to this
promise, “He
guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful
ones“. I know my life
was protected long before I accepted Christ, but now I also believe
He guards my course. I certainly don’t do everything right, but I
think God puts guard rails along the way to keep me from doing REALLY
dumb stuff. Are you missing those guard rails?
Over
time, our life develops a pattern. He writes, “Wisdom
will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul“.
Things that were once hard for me are now a joy. I can’t even
picture myself in certain situations any longer. Sometimes avoiding
temptation is as simple as avoiding a location. “Wisdom
will save you from the ways of wicked men“.
Many times, it is hard to notice wickedness up close until it is too
late. Many people in prison will confess, “I was running with the
wrong crowd”. He adds, “It
will
save
you also from the adulteress, from the wayward wife with her
seductive words“. How
many powerful and influential men have been destroyed by and
adulterous affair? “None
who go to her return“.
I think this can also include other types of seductions, such as
financial, drug and popularity. Any time we get too big for our
britches, we can get into trouble. Solomon closes with this simple
warning, “keep
to the paths of the righteous“.
God does not want all of us to be the same. He uses our uniqueness
to minister to others that are searching for truth. Are you ready to
ask for His wisdom for more than just head knowledge? God loves to
use us “C students”.