Get Wisdom!

Devotional

“Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.” Proverbs 4:7

Wisdom is a principal thing! Life is not always straightforward. And as the world moves closer to the end-time things become more complicated. As Christians, to navigate relationships with unbelievers and governments that engage in deception and enact laws contrary to divine principles we need wisdom.

Jesus’ teaching to “be wise as serpents and harmless as doves” (Matthew 10:16) suggests believers should combine moral purity and gentle conduct with practical discernment and strategic wisdom when navigating a challenging world.

The serpent’s wisdom is about awareness and understanding the world’s realities. Believers are encouraged to recognize manipulation and dishonesty without being naive. This involves critical thinking, seeking confirmation of information, and understanding the motivations behind others’ actions. This not judging or condemning others.

The religious leaders try to trap Jesus with a question about paying taxes to Caesar (Matthew 22:15-22). Instead of giving a direct “yes” or “no” that would get Him in trouble, Jesus asks to see the coin and then poses His own critical question: “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?” This forced them to state the obvious fact that it was Caesar’s. Then he said, “So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s,” not only avoided the trap but also taught a profound spiritual truth. He understood their malicious intent (serpent wisdom) and responded with an unassailable answer (dove-like harmlessness).

You need wisdom in buying and selling, so you do not make choices that look good on the surface but lead to regret. You need wisdom in choosing friends, relationships, opportunities and the paths you take. You need wisdom to understand what is lawful and what is actually expedient, because not everything permitted is helpful. You need wisdom in dealing with your boss, your cleaner and your teachers at school, because every relationship requires patience, discernment and honour.

Wisdom keeps your heart clean while your eyes stay open. It teaches you how to handle people who smile but plot, and systems that speak fairness but act unjustly. It teaches you how to carry yourself in conversations where you are not fully trusted, or in environments where the values of the kingdom are not embraced. You move differently. You listen more deeply. You weigh your responses because you know you represent Christ.

Our text says get understanding. How? When you get wisdom, you grow in understanding. Understanding helps you see why things are happening and how best to respond. It prevents you from rushing to judgement or drawing conclusions based on emotion. It helps you see the hand of God even when people are acting in ways that oppose Him.

The beautiful thing is that the scripture never tells us to manufacture wisdom. It tells us to get it. In other words, reach for it, ask for it, grow into it. You do that by staying close to God, asking often, weighing your steps carefully, and learning from the moments when you missed it before. Little by little, your discernment sharpens, and your heart becomes steadier.

In James 1:5, the Bible says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”

Lord God, I come before you recognising that I need your wisdom in every part of my life. I need it in my decisions, in my relationships, in my work, and in the choices I face each day. Teach me to see what is true, to understand what is good, and to act with discernment.