Proverbs 4-5
Why is it, do you think, that Solomon uses such strong words encouraging us (or, rather, pushing and pulling us) toward wisdom? Why does he need to use such strong entreaties? Why is it not enough to spend just a verse or two saying that wisdom is a good thing and that maybe we should get a little?
Perhaps it is because we are all naturally inclined toward folly and laziness — and sin. Then, even when we recognize wisdom and righteousness as good things and we decide to put forth some effort to pursue them, we tend toward self-reliance. We don’t need to listen to our parents (we think), because we already know better than they. We don’t need to worry about assorted temptations, because we’re better than that. But we’re fooling ourselves — and we ultimately make fools of ourselves.
In fact, our tendency toward self-reliance is so strong that even as we read these chapters in Proverbs and agree that we need to pursue wisdom vigorously, we immediately tend to go about it our own way and rely on our own strength. But that is a trap.
Yes, we need to put forth effort — serious effort — to gain wisdom, but it must always be in full reliance on — and submission to — the Holy Spirit. We must not forget what we just read in Galatians:
For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.
Galatians 6:8
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