Words of wisdom in a foolish world

What are you currently reading? What is inspiring you right now? How are you spending time with the Lord each day?

Today, I’m starting a new Bible study reading plan through the book of Proverbs. I’ve always loved Proverbs, and I can only imagine how much that love will grow these next 31 days of being in its wise words. I can’t even get through a few verses without being inspired, challenged,  and convicted. I love reading like that!

I find it so interesting that we live in a world that is rich with self-help books and life coaches and therapists, and yet the world in which we live, as a whole, would qualify as foolish, at least according to the definition given to us within the book of Proverbs. Life on this planet is lived for personal gain and satisfaction, yet Proverbs would offer a different plan of success for each of us.

Over the next several weeks, the blog is going to be filled with words of wisdom from the book of Proverbs, and I invite you to join me in this pursuit of wise living through Proverbs. I started a Bible reading practice years ago that I still love to this day, and it has proven successful at keeping me in the Word. Proverbs is a great book to apply this practice to: one chapter a day. You can get through the book of Proverbs just about once a month if you use this approach: one chapter a day. And, how much wisdom would you be gaining by rehearsing this wisdom literature so regularly? It’s immeasurable!

So, for today, I’d like to start us on this journey by posing a simply question to each reader:

What is wisdom?

What does it look like? How does one live wisely in a foolish world?  

Ok, that was quite a few questions, but all with the same underlying point: Wisdom. I think we all, in one way or another, seek wisdom, search for it, and try to live our lives in a wise manner, but the problem is that wisdom has become relative. What is wise for me might not necessarily be wise for you. So, we have to ask ourselves, “What is the standard for wisdom?”

Scripture is. Jesus is. Proverbs is.

“Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge,
    but fools despise wisdom and discipline.” Proverbs 1:7 NLT

Here is our starting point: Fear the Lord.

Any other starting point will prove to be shaky, unstable ground, a weak foundation that will inevitably crumble. Wisdom is choosing Jesus first and above all else. Then and only then, wise living will follow. These are words of wisdom in a foolish world.