Wisdom: My New Year’s Resolution

Every January, millions of people make New Year’s Resolutions. These people might resolve to lose weight. Or to cut back on coffee. They may resolve to exercise more. Or to spend less time on Facebook.

Honestly, I’ve never been much of a New Year’s Resolution type of guy. However, if I were to pick a resolution this year, I’d resolve to grow wiser in 2011. This might be a good idea for you too.

But, how do we grow wiser? Proverbs 3:5-8 says, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.”

I think there are a few things we can learn from this passage of Scripture which will help us grow in wisdom…

Wisdom Is Relying On God’s Strength: Verse 5 tells us to trust in God with all of our hearts. The OT word for trust can mean “to spread out flat upon.” It carries the idea of living one’s life “spread-eagle” on God.” The Bible tells us to exercise full out trust in God in all our ways.

Wisdom Is Rejecting Your Own Wisdom: Verse 5 tells us to NOT lean on our own understanding. Wise people recognize the severe limits of their own natural smarts. So often what seems best to us is actually the worst to God. So, we have to trust in God with all our hearts, lying spread-eagle on Him, which leaves no remaining weight for leaning on our own understanding.

Wisdom Is Respecting God And Repenting Of Evil: Verse 7 tells us to fear God and to shun evil. Proverbs 9:10 says, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.” God isn’t a person to be taken lightly or treated casually. Sure, He loves us. But He’s God–the One who created the universe. Respect for God means recognizing He deserves our total commitment. It means we’re going to shun evil–we’re going to run away from sin in our lives because we want to honor and live for Him.

Now, you might be wondering, “Is Wisdom all it’s cracked up to be?” Well, we see in verses 6 and 8 that God’s wisdom will straighten our paths and give us healthier lives. And for me, that’s good enough reason to grow in wisdom.