Bible Devotions for Living

Wisdom protects and guards you:

⁶ Don’t abandon wisdom, and she will watch over you; love her, and she will guard you. ⁷ Wisdom is supreme—so get wisdom. (Pv 4:6-7)

Scripture encourages you to get it, pray for it, and not turn away from it:

Get wisdom, get understanding; don’t forget or turn away from the words of my mouth. (Pv 4:5)

Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without criticizing, and it will be given to him. (Jms 1:5)

Answer the questions below about yourself honestly and read the verses about wisdom associated to them. Many of these questions illuminate the traits of the wise based on Scripture. Take special note of the questions where you answer “No” since they might be areas of improvement for you.

Do you listen to and desire instruction (Pv 1:5; 8:33; 9:9; 10:8; 15:31; 21:11)?

a wise man will listen and increase his learning, and a discerning man will obtain guidance— (Pv 1:5)

Listen to instruction and be wise; don’t ignore it. (Pv 8:33)

Instruct a wise man, and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man, and he will learn more. (Pv 9:9)

A wise heart accepts commands, but foolish lips will be destroyed. (Pv 10:8)

One who listens to life-giving rebukes will be at home among the wise. (Pv 15:31)

When a mocker is punished, the inexperienced become wiser; when one teaches a wise man, he acquires knowledge. (Pv 21:11)

Do you store up knowledge (Pv 10:14; 18:15)?

The wise store up knowledge, but the mouth of the fool hastens destruction. (Pv 10:14)

The mind of the discerning acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks it. (Pv 18:15)

Do you respond positively toward Godly rebukes (Pv 9:8; 13:1)?

Don’t rebuke a mocker, or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man, and he will love you. (Pv 9:8)

A wise son responds to his father’s discipline, but a mocker doesn’t listen to rebuke. (Pv 13:1)

Do you listen to wise counsel (or do you know everything) (Pv 12:15)?

A fool’s way is right in his own eyes, but whoever listens to counsel is wise. (Pv 12:15)

Do you turn from evil, are you careful to avoid following your bad inclinations (Pv 14:16)?

A wise man is cautious and turns from evil, but a fool is easily angered and is careless. (Pv 14:16)

Do you control what you say (Pv 10:19; 29:11)?

When there are many words, sin is unavoidable, but the one who controls his lips is wise. (Pv 10:19)

A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man holds it in check. (Pv 29:11)

Do you build up your own household and the people in it (or do you tear it down) (Pv 14:1)?

Every wise woman builds her house, but a foolish one tears it down with her own hands. (Pv 14:1)

Do you watch your steps through life and make decisions carefully (Ecc 2:14)?

The wise man has eyes in his head, but the fool walks in darkness. Yet I also knew that one fate comes to them both. (Ecc 2:14)

Is what you say helpful to others (Pv 12:18; 13:14; 16:23; 15:2; 15:7)?

There is one who speaks rashly, like a piercing sword; but the tongue of the wise brings healing. (Pv 12:18)

A wise man’s instruction is a fountain of life, turning people away from the snares of death. (Pv 13:14)

A wise heart instructs its mouth and increases learning with its speech. (Pv 16:23)

The tongue of the wise makes knowledge attractive, but the mouth of fools blurts out foolishness. (Pv 15:2)

The lips of the wise broadcast knowledge, but not so the heart of fools. (Pv 15:7)

Do you often diffuse bad situations (Pv 15:20; 29:8; 16:14)?

A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish man despises his mother. (Pv 15:20)

Mockers inflame a city, but the wise turn away anger. (Pv 29:8)

A king’s fury is a messenger of death, but a wise man appeases it. (Pv 16:14)

Are you good at discerning (Pv 16:21)?

Anyone with a wise heart is called discerning, and pleasant speech increases learning. (Pv 16:21)

Do you tend to know the right thing to do and when to do it (Ecc 8:5)?

The one who keeps a command will not experience anything harmful, and a wise heart knows the right time and procedure. (Ecc 8:5)

Answer this next set of questions and take special note of the ones you answer as “Yes”. Those might be areas where you can develop more wisdom.

Do you often get in trouble by what you say (Pv 14:3; Ecc 10:12)?

The proud speech of a fool brings a rod of discipline, but the lips of the wise protect them. (Pv 14:3)

The words from the mouth of a wise man are gracious, but the lips of a fool consume him. (Ecc 10:12)

Are you a pleasure seeker who avoids sad or difficult situations (Ecc 7:4)?

The heart of the wise is in a house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in a house of pleasure. (Ecc 7:4)

Scripture Advice on How to Become Wise

Listen to counsel and receive instruction so that you may be wise later in life. (Pv 19:20)

Listen closely, pay attention to the words of the wise, and apply your mind to my knowledge. (Pv 22:17)

Listen, my son, and be wise; keep your mind on the right course. (Pv 23:19)

The one who walks with the wise will become wise, but a companion of fools will suffer harm. (Pv 13:20)

Go to the ant, you slacker! Observe its ways and become wise. (Pv 6:6)

Examine yourself:

Did you learn anything about wisdom?

Did any verse(s) touch you?

Do you generally exhibit the traits of wise people in the verses above?

Do you see any areas where you are lacking wisdom?

One of the biggest hindrances to obtaining wisdom in my opinion is not being teachable. Do you know everything already? Do you listen to the counsel and advice of the Godly who are wise?

Get wise. Pray for wisdom.