“I have taught you the way of wisdom…” (Proverbs 4:11 ESV)
The way of wisdom is contrasted with the way of foolishness.
Many people do not understand the existence of either of these two paths in life. This is unfortunate, because not knowing about these two paths reveals that one is probably walking in the path of foolishness.
My continuing fascination with the “way of wisdom” never seems to end; you might say that I am obsessed with it. One reason for this is because of the reality that I have walked far too long in my life in the path of foolishness; this is a disturbing reality.
It is easy to look at others and think, “That person sure acts foolishly,” but it is far more difficult to peer into the mirror and make the same judgment about ourselves. The facts, though, are clear: most of us are not walking in the way of wisdom.
The way of wisdom affects every area of our lives, as does the way of foolishness. One or the other, wisdom or foolishness, will mark the course of our daily lives and determine the quality of our earthly existence.
The way of wisdom can only be realized when our lives are grounded and centered in the Word of God. More specifically, the way of wisdom is discovered in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ:
“…attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ Himself, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” Colossians 2:2b-3 (NASB)
So many of us spend inordinate amounts of time on vain and foolish pursuits and activities instead of concentrating and cultivating the way of wisdom. Like a diet that consists of only sodas and junk food, a life that is fed on only foolishness cannot be expected to be one of health, happiness and purpose.
If you are a young adult male (12-30 years of age) reading my blog, there is perhaps no better advice I can offer you than a systematic study in the book of Proverbs.
A wise pastor I had the privilege of studying under gave us young men in the congregation this excellent piece of advice: there are approximately 31 days in every month and 31 chapters in the book of Proverbs. Whatever the day is in any given month, read its corresponding chapter in the book of Proverbs.
For example, today is April 7; you would then read the seventh chapter of Proverbs. I have tried to follow this advice as much as possible in my life, and now, in my fifties, I still read the book of Proverbs because I desperately need godly wisdom to direct my daily paths.
My hope is that you will discover at least two things in your life: one, that you need wisdom to guide your life and, two, that this wisdom is personified in the life and teachings of Jesus. The Bible says He is the living Word of God (John 1:1, 14), and devoting oneself to Him is the best way to starting and staying on the path of wisdom.