Decision Making According to Godly Wisdom in Proverbs
Decision-making according to godly wisdom in Proverbs involves a practical, ethical approach rooted in divine instruction and understanding [6]. The book of Proverbs emphasizes that wisdom is not merely theoretical knowledge but a guide for making sound choices in daily life [6].
The pursuit of wisdom is presented as paramount: "Wisdom is supreme; so acquire wisdom. And whatever you may acquire, gain understanding" (Proverbs 4:7 BSB) [3]. This acquisition requires an active and intentional effort, turning one's ear to wisdom and applying one's heart to understanding [4]. It involves discipline, training energy toward wisdom and away from folly, and resisting natural sinful tendencies [6].
Key aspects of godly decision-making in Proverbs include:
- Seeking Counsel: Plans are established and war is waged successfully through wise guidance and advice (Proverbs 20:18) [1]. This counsel can come from parents, teachers, ministers, and especially from the "Wisdom of God," Jesus Christ, as well as from the Scriptures [9].
- Prudence and Forethought: Prudence is intimately connected with wisdom, enabling individuals to look well to their ways, understand God's paths, and foresee and avoid evil (Proverbs 14:8, 14:15, 22:3; Hosea 14:9) [5]. Wise decision-makers consider their actions carefully, as "a wise course results from wise forethought" (Proverbs 4:26) [10].
- Righteousness and Justice: The book of Proverbs highlights that "to do righteousness and judgment, Is chosen of Jehovah rather than sacrifice" (Proverbs 21:3 YLT) [2]. Ethical choices are central to biblical wisdom [6].
- Trusting God: Walking wisely involves trusting in God (Proverbs 28:26) [8]. This trust is part of a broader commitment to seeking God early and making it a primary concern [7].
- Diligence in Learning: Attaining wisdom requires diligent and unwearied searching, like seeking silver or hidden treasure (Proverbs 2:4) [12]. The word of God provides instructions, and discerning the voice of Christ within it is crucial [11].
The wisdom described in Proverbs is practical knowledge that involves ethical choices, associating wisdom with concepts like right, just, and fair [6]. It is a wisdom that preserves individuals (Proverbs 2:11) [5]. The ultimate goal of hearing counsel and receiving instruction is to become wise in one's "latter end," preparing for a future state and the well-being of the soul [9]. This pursuit of wisdom is an ongoing process, encouraging individuals to embrace the doctrines of the Gospel and retain its ordinances in memory and affection [12].
Sources
- Proverbs “Plans are established by advice; by wise guidance you wage war! -- Proverbs 20:18”
- Proverbs “Proverbs 21:3 (YLT) — To do righteousness and judgment, Is chosen of Jehovah rather than sacrifice.”
- Proverbs “Proverbs 4:7 (BSB) — Wisdom is supreme; so acquire wisdom. And whatever you may acquire, gain understanding.”
- Proverbs “So as to turn your ear to wisdom, and apply your heart to understanding; -- Proverbs 2:2”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Prudence — Exhibited in the manifestation of God's grace -- Eph 1:8. Exemplified by Christ -- Isa 52:13; Mt 21:24-27; 22:15-21. Intimately connected with wisdom -- Pr 8:12. The wise celebrated for -- Pr 16:21. They who have Get knowledge. -- Pr 18:15. Deal with knowledge. -- Pr 13:16. Look well to their goings. -- Pr 14:15. Understand the ways of God. -- Ho 14:9. Understand their own ways. -- Pr 14:8. Crowned with knowledge. -- Pr 14:18. Not ostentatious of knowledge. -- Pr 12:23. Foresee and avoid evil. -- Pr 22:3. Are preserved by it. -- Pr 2:11. Suppress angry fee”
- Proverbs (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Proverbs 1:2: 1:2-7 This prologue explains the purpose of the book and identifies the different readers to whom it is addressed. 1:2-3 Wisdom is practical knowledge that involves ethical choices. Words such as right, just, and fair are associated with biblical wisdom. Gaining wisdom involves discipline, an active, intentional training of energy toward wisdom and away from folly. The book of Proverbs encourages us to resist our natural sinful tendencies toward wrong behavior.”
- Job (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Job 8:5: seek unto God betimes--early. Make it the first and chief anxiety (Psa 78:34; Hos 5:15; Isa 26:9; Pro 8:17; Pro 13:24).”
- Proverbs (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Proverbs 28:26: (Compare Pro 3:6-8). walketh wisely--that is, trusting in God (Pro 22:17-19).”
- Proverbs (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Proverbs 19:20: Hear counsel, and receive instruction,.... Of parents, masters, and ministers; especially the counsel and instruction of Wisdom, of Jesus Christ, the Wisdom of God, the wonderful Counsellor; and of his Gospel and of the Scriptures, which are able to make a man wise unto salvation; that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end; in the latter end of life, at death; that then it may appear a man has been so wise as to be concerned for a future state, for the good of his soul in another world; by listening to the counsel and instruction of Christ, in his word; by lookin”
- Proverbs (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Proverbs 4:26: Ponder--Consider well; a wise course results from wise forethought.”
- Proverbs (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Proverbs 8:32: We have here the application of Wisdom's discourse; the design and tendency of it is to bring us all into an entire subjection to the laws of religion, to make us wise and good, not to fill our heads with speculations, or our tongues with disputes, but to rectify what is amiss in our hearts and lives. In order to this, here is, I. An exhortation to hear and obey the voice of Wisdom, to attend and comply with the good instructions that the word of God gives us, and in them to discern the voice of Christ, as the sheep know the shepherd's voice. 1. We must be dilig”
- Proverbs (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Proverbs 2 (introduction): INTRODUCTION TO PROVERBS 2 This chapter directs to the means of attaining to the knowledge of divine things, and shows the profit and advantage arising from thence. The means are, embracing the doctrines of the Gospel, and retaining in memory and affection the ordinances of it, Pro 2:1; and an inclination of the ear and an application of the heart to the knowledge of these things, Pro 2:2. An earnest and importunate desire, expressed by prayer, after the same, Pro 2:3; and a diligent and unwearied search for them, as for silver and hid treasure, Pro 2:”