Word of the Week: Wisdom

Some of you from my generation and older may remember Art Linkletter. He hosted a day time TV variety show called “House Party” from 1952 to 1969. My Mom loved to watch it.

One of the segments from that show was called “Kids Say the Darndest Things.”   Years later Bill Cosby did a show with the same title and similar results. The premise was based on asking a child, usually 3-8 years old, a question that would elicit a cute response.

Whether from those shows or another source, I came across these funny responses from children after they were given a well-known proverb and then asked to come up with the ending. 

Better Be Safe Than… Punch A 5th Grader.

Strike While The… Bug Is Close.

It’s Always Darkest Before… Daylight Savings Time.

You Can Lead A Horse To Water But…How?

Don’t Bite The Hand That… Looks Dirty.

You Can’t Teach An Old Dog New… Math.

If You Lie Down With The Dogs, You’ll… Stink In The Morning.

An Idle Mind Is… The Best Way To Relax.

A Penny Saved Is… Not Much.

Laugh And The Whole World Laughs With You, Cry And… You Have To Blow Your Nose.

Children Should Be Seen And Not… Spanked Or Grounded.

You Get Out Of Something What You… See Pictured On The Box.

Aren’t kids great! What wisdom! And that’s what proverbs are supposed to be– an expression of wisdom condensed in a few pithy words.

Our word of the week is “Wisdom.”

But there are different kinds of wisdom. The Bible speaks of the “wisdom of the world.” It is “earthly,” “fleshly,” and “carnal.” It is a wisdom “that does not know God.” It is a wisdom based on man’s subjective feelings. Sensual desires. And material pursuits (Jas. 3:14-16).

Then there is this “wisdom that is from above” (Jas. 3:17). It is spiritual, sacred and holy. It comes from God. It is based on God’s inspired revelation. Divine love.   Religious faith. And Heavenly hope.

This is the kind of wisdom the Psalmist spoke of: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding.” (Ps 111:10).

My college Bible professor, Homer Hailey, defined wisdom as the “insight into the underlying causes and significance or consequence of things, which insight enables one to apply to the best end the knowledge which he has.”

It’s possible to possess knowledge, but lack wisdom. One can be smart and not wise. Especially when the knowledge fails to include the Word of God. The Bible says, “The fear of the Lord is beginning of knowledge.” (Prov 1;7)

Complete knowledge and real wisdom find their basis in God. Who He is. What He says. And where He leads. That’s why the Father sent Jesus to earth. As a visual, human representation of His wisdom and knowledge. The apostle Paul called Christ, “the power of God and the wisdom of God” (1 Cor. 1:24).

Christians are commended to pray for wisdom. Gain wisdom. And grow in wisdom. We are to “walk in wisdom.” Speak in wisdom. And demonstrate to an unbelieving world Godly wisdom. It is a life-long pursuit. It calls for commitment. Requires patience. And demands diligence.

Solomon was right. “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.” (Proverbs 4:7)

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman