Proverbs 1:2 “To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding;”
Young people are constantly bombarded with the pressure to learn. Pushed to their limits of their bodies, their minds, and their emotions many times as they try to balance school, sports, activities, friends, family, and everything else they want or need in their lives. Every young person is different in this regard too. Some love the busy nature of the teen years, while others try to tone it down. Some are not challenged at all at school while others work day and night to make the grade.
The Bible says a lot about wisdom, instruction, understanding, and knowledge. Proverbs is a fantastic book with a lot to say on the subject. Proverbs 3:13 “Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.” It also says in Proverbs 10:8 “The wise in heart will
receive commandments: but a prating fool shall fall.” Proverbs goes on and on the practical benefit of having learning and wisdom. Whatever your personality or place in life, please be comforted by the number one fact of wisdom: God gives it out for free. James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
This is the number one source of where to start for wisdom. Understand that God wants every young person to be wise! That is why He gives it to all who ask, and liberally means He will give above and beyond what is asked. There are no “stupid” questions with God. He does not think there are too much questions, or that something should already be known. God is excited to give the wisdom He has wrote so much about throughout the Bible. Everything should have a system. A way of defining a process to allow an individual to get the same results every time. If a young person wants wisdom and is interested in finding the blessings and help needed to live this life, then the Bible has a clear process laid out in Proverbs
1. Perceive – Proverbs 1:2 To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding;
The first step in gaining wisdom effectively and efficiently is perception, or knowing that you need what you need. Many times young people, and most adults frankly, think they have everything all figured out. They don’t ask for help, they don’t read the instructions, and comically they are completely blind sided when failure comes. The best attitude for a young person and a Christian to have is that of humility. We do not know it all, and we will certainly need help to accomplish what we need.
2. Receive – Proverbs 1:3 To receive the instruction of wisdom, just, and judgement, and equity; To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion.
The second step to gaining wisdom is to go get it! Without asking God for wisdom, He will not miraculously provide it. A young person must seek out those who know what they want to know. Many great men and woman have illustrated it to me in my life, but it has been said that “every man is my teacher.” That means that every person can teach something new to someone else. Ask questions. Jesus showed us this example as a child and teen in Luke 2. Seek out those people who are good at doing what you are seeking to do. Set the appointments, do the study time, and ask the questions. Most importantly remember to seek all learning first in prayer to God. God will help introduce you to the people you need in your life, and give you the knowledge and wisdom you need both spiritually and physically if you are willing to pick up what He is laying down for you.
3. Believe – Proverbs 1:5 A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:
It is always important to remember what Jesus taught at the end of Matthew 7. He likened the man to a wise man who would not only hear what he said, but do what he said. The fact is that everyone will get a little of step 2, but few will follow through with step 3. The key to gaining wisdom, increasing learning, and bettering the life of the believer is to do what we receive as instruction.
Pastor Jesse McCammon
Calvary Baptist Church | Flora, IL
