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Learn to Be Wise

"Learn to be wise, and develop good judgment and common sense! I cannot overemphasize this point." Proverbs 4:5, Living Bible

Lady Wisdom asks, “Are you ready for mastery?”

Being wise is something that we can learn. That's a good thing! If we had to be born with the wise gene to be wise then many of us would not have the opportunity to live the good life. It also tells me that being wise is a process, something that needs to be developed.

Learning something takes time, practice and then mastery. "Cling to wisdom-she will protect you. Love her-she will guard you." (Proverbs 4:6, Living Bible) How do we cling to wisdom? I think that we memorize the word and/or study it until it becomes a part of our makeup. It becomes a learned behavior, something that is instinctive.  I also think that wisdom is something that requires continual learning. We also learn by experience and also by practice. Making wise decisions is developed as we put to use the sayings of Lady Wisdom. We develop our spiritual muscles and confidence in the truths of the word.

Learning is a process and does not happen all at once. We acquire new knowledge by building on prior knowledge. We attach what we know to other references which help us to understand and to put in context our new knowledge, actions, skills, and behaviors. It is a conscious awareness and effort to learn to be wise. We also gain new values. Our value systems change as we experience new successes from the knowledge we have developed. We know that the words of Lady Wisdom are true and can be counted on to come to pass. The words of wisdom can protect us and guard us through life's journey.

Determination the First Step

 "Determination to be wise is the first step toward becoming wise!" Proverbs 4:7, Living Bible

Lady Wisdom asks, “Are you determined to be wise?”

What is determination? It is to be purposeful. To decide or settle in your mind that this is what you want to be or do. It also means that you are not going to quit at the first sign of failure or resistance. Wisdom also must be coupled with good judgment and common sense.

Many times we are determined to do the right thing especially around eating and exercising habits. The temptation to not follow through makes us procrastinate and we end up not doing what we intended to do. It takes focus determination to keep at a plan. I believe having a picture of the end result in view is one way of staying focused. Writing down the goals and putting them in a prominent place also helps. Keeping track of your progress is another way of sticking to the task at hand. Having a trusted friend help you to be accountable to the goal may help as well.

Having the willpower to focus on being wise will bring great results. It will give purpose and help to provide the resolve to overcome. It will build our strength of character and give us the grit and fortitude toward being wise.

"If you exalt wisdom, she will exalt you. Hold her fast and she will lead you to great honor; she will place a beautiful crown upon your head." (Proverbs 4:8, 9) There is a reward and end result with following wisdom. You will be rewarded and elevated to a position of honor with a lovely crown. You will become the queen of your state of affairs.

Experience Real Living

"...a life of doing right is the wisest life there is." Proverbs 4:11, Living Bible

Lady Wisdom asks, “What is genuine real living?”

The Living Bible states that living that kind of life will prevent you from stumbling and/or limping as you run. It equates life to a race. In a race, you can stumble or limp if you fall into a hole or meet a bump along the way. Doing right helps us to avoid these mishaps and enables us to run a smooth race.

Doing right leads to real living! I know that we all want to experience real living. There are a lot of voices defining real living for us. What is real living? Is it doing what we think is best for us? Is it considering others? Is it considering what the Lord thinks? What is right? What is doing right?

Not doing what the wicked do is doing right. Do not cause other people to do wickedness is doing right. Do not participate in violence or violent acts towards others also is doing right. So I think doing right is helping others to do the right thing. Doing right is participating in kind acts towards others. Doing right is doing what genuinely, kind people do. That is real living!