The book of Proverbs tells much about wisdom and foolishness. Unfortunately, what God means by wisdom and what generally passes for wisdom are two different things. We think of wisdom as book learning, skill or experience. Generally people who gain in these areas are respected by others and often succeed with their plans. Yet people can be very worldly wise (and successful in the world’s eyes) and still be enslaved by foolishness. What is real wisdom? How do we get it? How do we live by it?

The essence of wisdom is revealed in the middle of the chapter in v 10: the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. Wisdom is a moral condition. It begins with a right relationship with God. In one sense, a right relationship with God is the smart thing to have as well. God is the Ruler of the universe. Being on good terms with the Boss makes life smoother. But a right relationship with God is crucial for us because it was what we were made for.

We fear the Lord when we follow what he tells us to do. In God’s Word we read that we are sinners who fall short of his glory. This sin breaks our relationship with God. We also read that he has provided a way to regain that relationship through the Savior Jesus Christ. Receiving Christ as our Lord and Savior is the beginning of our restored relationship with God. It is the beginning of real wisdom acting in our lives.

Yet we often continue to struggle with God’s rule in our life. We fail to ask God what his way for us is. Even when we hear it, we refuse to follow. This reveals part of our hearts that do not fear the Lord. This is the sinful root of foolishness that the Holy Spirit must remove if we are to be successful in conquering sin.

The virtue of wisdom is the power that the Holy Spirit builds in us so our choices will more and more reflect the mind of Christ. We will more and more act like Jesus. How the Spirit does this should not be a mystery. God’s Word directs us how to get wisdom.

The first direction to get wisdom is simply to get it. God has provided wisdom for us. Lady Wisdom is calling for us. Her servant girls are looking for us. The first step is to take the steps to her house. This means that we are challenged to have that right relation with God. When we come into Lady Wisdom’s house, we are not to come and go, like a guest, but stay as a member of the family. In James we are told that if we want wisdom, God will give it, but we really must want the thing we are asking for. Otherwise, we will go back and forth from God’s way to foolishness and never receive wisdom from God.

Once in Lady Wisdom’s house, we are directed to know God’s Word. One of the expectations we have of members is that they read the bible every day. We need constant renewal in the Word of God which is able to make us wise. By getting the Word into our minds, we begin to understand how to live godly and wise lives.

We are also encouraged in wisdom from the wise. Do you see someone who is wise in the things of the Lord? Hang out with him or her. You will see the wisdom of God in their speech and in their family. You will see the grace of God in their relationships. Do not be fooled into expecting to see what the world considers success (it may be there or not). Look for the character of wisdom working out in their household and lives.

From the wise you can find someone to hold you accountable to the Word of God. Do you have someone who encourages wisdom in you? Is there someone who can ask the hard questions and not let you give cheap and easy answers? They are the sort who will help you become wise. You can sharpen each other as iron sharpens iron.

What can we do if we, as believers in Christ, have been foolish and sinful? What do we do if we have sneaked out of Lady Wisdom’s house and partied with that woman Folly? Those who remain in her house go down to death. Those are the times we need to repent and receive God’s forgiveness. The Lord Jesus said he would never leave or forsake us. Jesus is present. His forgiving power is present. The more we are aware of Jesus’ presence in our lives, the more we will avoid sin and foolishness.

We can also be like the man in the first psalm who avoids the counsel of the ungodly, the way of the sinful and the seat of the scornful by meditating on God’s Word day and night. Then we will be like a tree planted by the river, never without leaves and always having the fruit of the Spirit when it is needed. Will you let the Holy Spirit build the power of God’s wisdom in you?