Seeking Wisdom – Ron Volk

In the first few chapters of the book of Proverbs, God instructs us many times to seek wisdom.

Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Proverbs 2:7 He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly.

So many are merely sifters of information rather than seekers of wisdom. Right here I am giving you a glimpse of my early calling. I was all about information–knowledge even though in my baby status I didn’t have any idea how to use it and share it with others.

You have to learn what information works in life. Just having a huge flow of information will not make you wise. A very good example of this is the mass of information that comes to us via the internet. People are suffering from information overload. It does not lead to better lives just to have access to an endless stream of information. People are not learning to be more loving and kind because of the current information explosion.

One must learn–through time and experience. EXPERIENCE IS THE BEST TEACHER. What is misinformation and propaganda, from what information that can be used.  To be able to discern the difference is where wisdom comes in.  

Wisdom usually comes from years of learning. If one is truly seeking God, then wisdom will come to them through time and experience.

It is a contradiction to become a truly educated person while still young. Of course, the way the school system works is they set a pattern of teaching with giving tests to the students. And if the students can remember enough of the facts to pass through high school and college then they are given a piece of paper to say that they are an educated person. But our education can only begin in school, it will take a lifetime to learn the lessons we need to become a truly educated person.

This pattern of teaching has been part of the problem in the Churches over the years. A young person is sent to a Church college, then they are ordained a minister and sent to teach a congregation, a congregation that much of the time has members with more wisdom and experience than the young minister. But because of the pulpit type of format of teaching there is no interaction at services where the other members can share their life’s experiences and wisdom. This is why I like to open my messages up for interaction. Proverbs 27:17 Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.

If interaction were allowed it would help the minister with his task, “the whole body building itself up in love.”  That’s why God left us the 1 Corinthians 14; type format which each having an opportunity to speak: 1 Corinthians 14:31 For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.  

Keep in mind that the word prophesy also means inspired speaking, not just the telling of future events. Each member can be inspired by God and can share what God is putting into their hearts and minds. Having experienced this open type of format for many years, I can share with you from the experience that it is really a blessing when handled in the right way. There is much more growth in these open type formats that allows everyone to participate. It is really a blessing to behold when the Spirit of God works at these meetings. His Spirit can flow from believer to believer to the edification of all.

If we will learn to keep an open mind you will learn from most interactions that you have in life. If you will allow God to teach you humility so that you can walk with Him, then He will teach you from all your surroundings. It can be a chat with a friend, a history book, or even a TV program. If you stay with God, He will see to it that you learn what He wants you to learn from each encounter. The whole world will become your training ground if we submit to God and follow the lead of His Spirit.

Proverbs 3:13 Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. 14 For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. 15 She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.

I look back at my own life and the quest for material pursuits–it satisfied the physical lust within but did nothing in the cultivation of my mind.  It was only when I started to seek God and His wisdom first, I found it to be just like He promised. Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Few people take the time to think and reason things out as they should to better their lives. May pay expensive consultants to study their problems when much of the time they could understand how to deal with the problems themselves if they took the time to reflect and examine the situation as they should.  I am not against seeking counsel, for God tells us to seek wise counsel, and some have been helped by these counselors. But what we need to understand as believers is how important it is to examine our lives so that we can have God’s wisdom to deal with the problems we encounter.

Most people don’t continue their education after high school or college years. Instead, they go to school to get enough education to get fitted for a job and get into the routine of the work and spend cycle. And rarely do some break out of this to seek the cultivation of the mind. But there is no way that we can truly live a full life without seeking the wisdom and mind of God.

Too many believers are caught up in seeking wealth and status, and there is little time left in their lives for seeking the wisdom of God. So, they continue in their frustration. God says in Hosea 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.  

Brethren don’t get caught up in the rat race, most are.  Instead, learn to seek God out and let Him lead you to a full life He wants for you here and now. And at the end of the road–the wisdom that you have let Him instill inside of you—this education will step into eternity.

Your brother in Christ, 

Ron