Gaining the Best Wisdom
Isn’t it true that we spend lots of time, money, and effort striving to gain and keep physical fitness. There is tremendous worth and value in being or becoming the best possible version of ourselves. Tending to our physical body is not just a good idea, it is also something we find in scripture. Here is what we find in the first half of 1 Timothy 4:8 – “for while bodily training is of some value,” We will look at the second half of that verse later in this writing.
What about striving to gain and keep wisdom? The Chinese philosopher Confucius observed three ways to acquire the wisdom necessary to navigate life. He said, “By three methods we learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is the noblest; second, by imitation, which is the easiest, and third, by experience, which is the bitterest.”
While Confucius is mostly correct, he missed, in my opinion, the most beneficial method for gaining wisdom – that being to ask God for wisdom. Not just any wisdom, His wisdom. The writer of Proverbs says this – “How much better to get wisdom than gold! To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver” (16:16). He also says this about seeking godly wisdom over all other forms of wisdom – “Take my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is better than jewels, and all that you may desire cannot compare with her” (8:10-11). The entire 8th chapter of Proverbs is about the excellence, the call, the commendation, of seeking and acquiring the wisdom of God. In fact, much of Proverbs is a good place to learn of biblical wisdom.
The context of 1 Timothy 4:8 that I referenced above is the apostle Paul instructing Timothy not to be influenced, not to be swayed, by the many false teachings. Can I just say this before continuing. Take heed. Nothing has changed. Much like ancient times, the world today is filled with so much false information that it is often hard to know, fact from fiction, true from false, pearl from dung. In v.7, Paul encourages his protegee Timothy to “Have nothing to do with irreverent silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness;”
Now let’s look again at v.8, this time in its entirety – “for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.” As I dig into this verse, I find Paul telling us that bodily training does have some value, but in comparison to godly training, no contest. Bodily training, while important, is temporary whereas godly training is for now and forever. I encourage you to read this section of scripture in its entirety – 1 Timothy 4:1-15.
Godly knowledge and wisdom begin with a fear, deep reverence, of the Lord (Proverbs 1:7) and the equation for acquiring that wisdom is quite simple: Asking = Receiving (James 1:5). However, it is not grab and go. Rather, this wisdom gets cultivated in our heart, mind, and soul through a living relationship with Jesus.
Not sure how to ask God for wisdom? How about asking in the same way as Solomon asked as he was about to take over the throne from his father David – “Now, LORD my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?” (1 Kings 3:7-9).
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