“There is gold, and a multitude of rubies: but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.” (Proverbs 20:15)
Opinions are a dime a dozen, but wisdom is hard to come by. Oh to find someone whose wisdom is “first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.” (James 3:17) How blessed we are if we have people of such wisdom to be a positive influence in our lives. “He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.” (Prov. 13:20)
We need good counsel. “For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellors there is safety.” (Prov. 24:6) It is a sweet thing to have a friend whose advice we can count on. “Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man’s friend by hearty counsel.” (Prov. 27:9) But what if we don’t have such friends? There is One who is always available. “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6)
Paul once thought he was smart, but his “wisdom” led him astray. “I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.” (Acts 26:9) There was a way which seemed right to him, but it was the way of death. (Prov. 14:12) On that road of ignorance and folly he encountered the Power and Wisdom of God. “But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:24) From that moment on, Paul walked with One who was wiser than Solomon.
Who we become is the result of who we walk with, who is speaking into our lives. Let the Lord be your traveling companion in life. Sit at His feet and learn of Him always. Prefer His thoughts over your own. The glorious end of such a life is to not only become wise, but to become good.