Proverbs 4:7 says, "Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore, get wisdom: and then, get understanding."
As I read this, I wondered why there was such emphasis on these two virtues. Wisdom and understanding. What's the big deal? And what kind of wisdom does God speak of?
When one thinks of being wise, they will perhaps imagine an old man with a long, white beard - something like that of Gandolf or Professor Dumbledore. Is that really the kind of wisdom God wants for us? I don't believe so.
Many times, when wisdom is mentioned in the Bible, it is contrasted with foolishness (Prov. 1:7, 1 Cor. 1:20, Prov. 14:1). Foolishness is defined as, "a lack of good sense or judgement", thus if we are called to be wise, we are warned to avoid being foolish. To have a good sense and judgement. That is the kind of wisdom God wants for us.
The beginning of Proverbs 4 paints us a better picture of wisdom. It speaks of a father's instruction to his child, to which he warns, “Let your heart hold fast my words; keep my commandments, and live."
As children, we are taught many principles and values from our parents; likewise, we have been taught how to live from God's word. Wisdom, then, is the knowledge of the principles we have been taught - the knowledge of what is right, and conversely, what is wrong.
We know this. Not only through His word, but also from the tug of our hearts. We know the warmth of goodness and also, the discomfort of doing wrong. That is wisdom. And if we have such wisdom, such knowledge of what is right as well as the consequences of doing wrong, why then, do we choose foolishness and forget wisdom?
The answer to that question is simple: a wise man that lacks understanding is not worth much good. That's the central message of Proverbs 4:7. Get wisdom and after you do, get understanding. So what exactly is "understanding?"
I believe that it's knowing how and when to use wisdom. It's the knowledge that Satan is always in full attack mode, waiting to tempt you with your favorite sins. It's understanding that he knows about your wisdom; he is not unaware of your knowledge of what is right and wrong, but he simply just doesn't care.
He wants you to forget and if he can't get you to forget your values and principles, he'll make sure you have no clue how to apply them. That's the game he plays. And if you let him, he'll win like he has many times before.
I was listening to a podcast by Levi Lusko this past week and he said that when it comes to sin, it's not about what you think is right and wrong, "it's about who is in the driver's seat of your life." And i'm telling you, if you don't understand Satan's desire to attack you at all costs, he will slip his way into the driver's seat and steer you as far from God as he can.
But it's not just the driver seat that's in danger. Likewise, who's in the passenger seat? Satan can work just as well riding shotgun. He'll let you take the driver's seat, but you're only in control until he starts playing copilot. Turn here. Go straight. Speed up.
If you're not careful, he just may become your GPS. Why? Because he wants to control you, and that's where biblical 'understanding' comes in. He has a plan and you've got to grasp that. Your insight to his schemes is the only way your wisdom becomes useful.
But you live and you learn, right? Not quite. Rather, learn and then live. You know what's right, so cling to it. Besides, only a fool could despise wisdom.
