The truth is, our problem is not exposure to wisdom, it is putting it into practice that’s the hard part. Proverbs chapter one tells us that we not only have access to wisdom, but we often ignore it for various reasons. Verse 22 tells us the naive do this because they love simplicity. The scoffers do it because a scoffer always disagrees with anything that opposes their own ideas. And the fool does it (a fool is not one missing mentality ­­— it is one who misuses their mental ability) because they hate knowledge. I pray we don’t find ourselves in any of these categories. But if we do, verses 25-32 tell us what we can expect. In a very serious manner, verses 24-25 are like a big, flashing warning light telling us to watch our attitudes towards wisdom: The attitude of willful refusal. This one chooses to ignore the wisdom available to them because of sinful, self-centeredness, “I won’t bow my knee to anyone’s authority but my own.” The attitude of insensitivity: This one is unaware of the wisdom available because they are too preoccupied with other things to listen to God or they are so familiar with the wisdom of God they’ve stopped listening. The attitude of indifference: This one says, “I just don’t care anymore.” The attitude of defensiveness: This one, no matter how clearly wrong they are, they simply won’t admit their faults and in fact blame everyone else. James tells us, wisdom is available to all who ask and God is gracious to give it out. Proverbs 1:33 promises, “...whoever listens to me (wisdom) will dwell safely, and will be secure, without fear of evil.”
Let’s listen for wisdom, it’s a much better plan and pay-off.

Dr. William Burnham is a pastor at Point of Grace Church in Covington. He can be reached at burnhamw@charter.net.