Becoming Wise
Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm. Proverbs 13:20 (NIV)
Who is wise in your eyes? Probably, that is a loaded question as currently, it is difficult to define wisdom much less find it. Sharon Hinck (Mornings with Jesus) shares about the guidelines she uses to become wiser—more like Jesus.
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After reading this proverb, I made a mental list of wise people I could spend time with. Then the realization jumped to mind that Jesus is the wisest companion anyone could ever have. But how do I walk with Him? What does that look like on a practical level?
First, I can walk with Jesus through descriptions of His actions in the Gospels. I can read about what mattered to Him, how He responded to each situation, how He showed His love.
Second, I can spend time with others in the body of Christ—His church. Although none of us live out the love of Jesus perfectly, I often see glimpses of His nature in others. Jesus appears in the generosity of a friend who gave a gift to cheer me, in the companion of one who can empathize with my pain but doesn’t let me wallow in self-pity, and in the tenderness of someone who cries with me in my grief. Each person in the body of Christ can lead me to “walk with the wise.”
Third, I can turn to Jesus in prayer each day, in every experience I face, and discover His guidance. His Spirit counsels and guides me when I deal with a conflict at work, a decision in my family, or habits I want to change.
I’ve embraced this proverb with new enthusiasm. I plan to explore every way I can walk with Jesus and hopefully grow wise like Him.
FAITH STEP: Think of a situation for which you need wisdom. Through Scripture, fellowship, and prayer, ask Jesus to walk with you in this circumstance and help you be wise.