Wisdom, What It Is, And Its Importance
Bill Haymin
April 12, 2006
Proverbs. 4:6 & 7 says - ?Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you: Love her, and she will keep you. Wisdom is the Principle thing; therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.?
1. Wisdom: The right use or exercise of knowledge; the choice of laudable ends, and of best means to accomplish them. This is wisdom in act, effect, or practice. If wisdom is to be considered as a faculty of the mind, it is the faculty of discerning or judging what is most just, proper and useful, and if it is to be considered as an acquirement, it is the knowledge and use of what is most conducive to prosperity or happiness.
Wisdom in the first sense, or practical wisdom, is nearly synonymous with discretion. It differs somewhat from prudence. wisdom is the exercise of sound judgment either in avoiding evils or attempting good. Prudence then is a species of which wisdom is the genus. Wisdom gained by experience, is of inestimable value.
2. In Scripture, human learning; erudition ( that is: learning; knowledge gained by study, or from books and instruction; particularly, learning in literature, as distinct from the sciences, as in history, antiquity and languages. The most useful erudition for republicans is that which exposes the causes of discords.), knowledge of arts and sciences. Moses was learned in the all the wisdom of the Egyptians. Acts. 7.
3. Quickness of intellect; readiness of apprehension; dexterity in execution; as the wisdom of Bezaleel and Aholiab. Ex. 31.
4. Natural instinct and sagacity, ( that is: 1. Quickness or acuteness of scent; applied to animals. Quickness or acuteness of discernment or penetration; readiness of apprehension; the faculty of readily discerning and distinguishing ideas, and of separating truth from falsehood.), Job. 39.
5. In Scripture theology, wisdom is true religion; godliness; piety; the knowledge and fear of God, and sincere and uniform obedience to His commands. This is the wisdom which is from above. Ps.90, Job. 28.
6. Profitable words or doctrine. Ps.37. The wisdom of this world, mere human erudition; or the carnal policy of men, their craft and artifices in promoting their temporal interests; called also fleshly wisdom. 1 Cor.2, 2 Cor. 1
The wisdom of words, artificial or affected eloquence; or learning displayed in teaching. 1 Cor.1. 2. ( Taken from the ?American Dictionary of The English Language,? by Noah Webster 1828 reprint)
Wisdom is having Jesus Christ the living Word of God. The more of the Word of God you have, the more wisdom you will possess, thus, the more of Jesus you will contain.
Wisdom is like salt, having it will preserve you. It will keep you from going in harmful directions and making wrong decisions on matters of importance.
Get possessions ( meaning many), of different kinds of wise principles and habits.
Getting a well rounded education in certain vital subjects, is to provide one with the tools and life skills that will ensure we are able to live a healthy, prosperous and victorious life. This is getting different kinds of wise principles and habits.
The following are just some of the life skills that are vital to possess, they are by no means complete or comprehensive:
Knowing how to read and write. The reason why the early Americans, (the Pilgrims and the Puritans), thought it very important to know how to read was so their children could read the Bible.
It is said by many educators ( that is, those that still will teach children the right way to learn how to read), that the road to writing well begins with reading proficiently. Knowing how to read and write well will also keep us from being mindless, dependant on others and easy to control. Tyrants depend on the people?s ignorance in order to control others.
In 1807, Edward Kendall arrived from Great Britain to investigate what had made America so special as a nation.
Kendall traveled throughout the United States in keeping meticulous journals of what he observed.
In Connecticut, he noted the illiteracy law which in part stated:...?there are still many persons unable to read the English tongue, and thereby incapable of reading the Holy Word of God, or the good laws of this state.?
That state was concerned about illiteracy - but perhaps not for the reasons which cause concern today. It?s concern was that if one could not read, then he would not know the Word of God or the laws of the state. This meant that if the legislature passed a law which contradicted the Word of God, then the people - unable to read and therefore unknowledgeable of the word of God - might not stop a bad law.
The Founding Fathers strove to ensure that the Christian principles which had formed the basis of education prior to the Revolution would continue after it. ( From the book: ?Education and the Founding Fathers,? by David Barton, published by WallBuilders Press.)
Logic: The art of thinking and reasoning justly. Logic is the art of using reason well in our inquiries after the truth, and the communication of it to others.
Logic may be defined, the science or history of the human mind, as it traces the progress of our knowledge from our first conceptions through their different combinations, and the numerous deductions that result from comparing them with one another.
Correct reasoning implies correct thinking and legitimate inferences from premises, which are principles assumed or admitted to be just. Logic then includes the art of thinking, as well as the art of reasoning. The purpose of logic is to direct the intellectual powers in the investigation of truth, and in the communication of it to others. ( 1828 reprint Dictionary)
Knowing how to think in a logical progression. ?In order to understand ideas and communicate with others properly, something more than a solid understanding of the structure of language is necessary. Logic is indispensable to the proper use of language. Thus, it was the colonial view that the study of logic was necessary as soon as the student had mastered the basic tools of grammar.? ( From the book: ?The Education of James Madison, A Model for Today,? by Mary-Elaine Swanson)
Knowing how to reason out and apply the manual of life, the Bible to the moral issues of every day life.
Learning math skills. This will train you to use your mind in solving not only math problems, like balancing your check book, but give you the ability to solve and work through any personal and professional problems.
Learning true and uncensored American and Universal world history. This will enable you to learn both good and bad examples of governments and other cultures and peoples. It will help you to avoid the same personal, public and governmental moral mistakes that others have made throughout history.
James B. Rose deals masterfully with the providential view of history in a chapter of his ?Guide.? Here he cites the following words of Verna Hall from an address she gave in 1971 at the First Pilgrim Seminar, Plymouth, Massachusetts, which parents and teachers should find very thought-provoking:
The young people in our Christian colleges are at the peak of their youthful idealism, and yet, by and large they have never heard of the Hand of God in relation to America, and therefore have no real love for America and her uniquely Christian institutions. If they do not know the Hand of God in our nation?s past, how can they be sure of it in the present, or the future?....Most young Christians want to have a goal toward which they can work with God?s help; they want to have a purpose and a hope. But if they have not been taught the Hand of God in history, they enter the work-a-day world not realizing their importance as Christians in directing the course of human
events. They will not think it important to make decisions predicated upon Biblical principles of government in all fields of endeavor, for they will assume they are Christians in a secular world governed by secular rules and precepts, Somehow, someway in the last one hundred years particularly, America and Christianity have become separated in the mind and heart of the Christian, and he now lives in two worlds, the Christian inner world, and the secular outer world; whereas the Pilgrim and the Puritan lived in one world, the world of God, the creator of heaven and earth, and all that therein is...(From the book: ?The Education of James Madison?)
Men and women need to learn every day skills on how to conduct proper and correct virtuous social and interpersonal relationships.
Other wisdom life skills to have are: homemaking skills.
Knowing basic food preparation and * Knowing the right kinds of healthy foods to eat, and the ones to avoid.
Basic sanitation and * personal hygiene needs to be learned.
How to make cloth from fiber and * how to use that cloth to make clothes and shoes.
Habits are: A disposition or condition of the mind or body acquired by custom or a frequent repetition of the same act. Example: * We learn to do our multiplication tables by repetition and practice.
We speak of good habits and bad habits.
Frequent drinking and taking drugs lead to a habit of indulgence, excess and ruin.
Acquiring wisdom makes for a good habit.
Reading the Bible on a regular and daily basis is a good and wise habit to get into. As well as * reading other good, informative and important literature for educating one self, both Christian and secular like: Christian theology, philosophy, history etc, and secular like: how to build a house, how to fix a vehicle, how to make bread etc.
Some other good wisdom habits are: * regularly going into prayer and talking to Jesus about our cares and concerns.
Pray for wisdom, take pains for it.
Wait at wisdom?s gate. Waiting on and looking with expectation, to and for Jesus the Author of all wisdom. Listening for what He would say to us directly, or in His Word. It is also wise listening to those that you can trust, that God has placed over us for our benefit and growth.
We must take heed to God?s wisdom that builds faith and trust in Jesus lest we put it from us as those do that forget it first, then let it slip out of their minds. Then finally, they forsake the wisdom that they had, and turn out of it?s good ways, and depart from the faith.
Get wisdom by experience, get all that you can, make it a habit.
Wisdom is not just about theological or spiritual matters. It is also about getting a practical and first hand understanding of many skills that will make you wise, knowledgeable and self sufficient. Many men start out as apprentices in the multiple and different trades like: carpentry, electrical, plumbing etc, and get on the job training.
Women can become wise and learn how to balance a check book, make a budget, and learn how to live within it. They can also learn how to run a household.
Many women have chosen to leave the traditional role as housewives and have also become carpenters, electricians and other professions that have traditionally been men?s work, some are trying to juggle both.
There were remarkable women in the 1820s and 1830s who had definite ideas about the education of their own sex and who also saw it as closely related to perpetuating the republic. Outstanding among these women was Emma Willard ( 1787-1870 ) who wrote: ?A nation cannot exist without religion.? She opened her first school in Middlebury, Vermont in 1814. It was a real seat of learning, not like other schools for young ladies which taught them only music, dancing, needlework and deportment. Emma Willard wrote history textbooks which were praised by Daniel Webster and General Lafayette. After moving to New York, she started a young ladies seminary in Waterford in 1819 and another later in Troy which is still in existence as the Emma Willard School.
Mrs. Willard had many reasons for desiring improved education for women. As a deeply patriotic American, convinced of the superiority of the American Republic and it?s principles...she believed that the preservation of the Republic depended on it?s women. For it was women who set the standards of a society...and would, therefore, save this Republic from the fate of previous republics....Women, with strengthened characters and trained intellects, would certainly raise up finer sons and hence better citizens of the Republic....Emma Willard discerned that Christian principles formed the foundation of all true education. ?Moral improvement is the true end of the intellectual,? she said, and when instructing young teachers, she admonished them to ?bring God into all subjects,? that their pupils might begin to see His wonderful government of the universe....(From the book: ?The Education of James Madison.?
It is wise to take effort to get this wisdom (which is another word for skills) and understanding about many things, then to get the wealth of this world.
It is wisdom to choose to be wise and informed about subjects and issues pertaining to this life in
order to live in this life. But it is of far greater importance for our souls sake to have heavenly wisdom, knowledge and understanding of spiritual matters. These will help us to know more about our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and His ways, and to prepare for a more permanent life in the world to come. I am speaking of heaven.
Love wisdom and embrace her as worldly people love their wealth and set their hearts upon it.
A Christians wealth is our life in Christ, it should be very dear and precious to us, more important than anything in this world. And if we can not reach to be masters of wisdom, yet let us be true lovers of it.
So let us hear the end of this matter, get understanding, seek wisdom, ?do not forsake her and she will preserve you.?
By Bill Haymin, copyright 2006.
1. Wisdom: The right use or exercise of knowledge; the choice of laudable ends, and of best means to accomplish them. This is wisdom in act, effect, or practice. If wisdom is to be considered as a faculty of the mind, it is the faculty of discerning or judging what is most just, proper and useful, and if it is to be considered as an acquirement, it is the knowledge and use of what is most conducive to prosperity or happiness.
Wisdom in the first sense, or practical wisdom, is nearly synonymous with discretion. It differs somewhat from prudence. wisdom is the exercise of sound judgment either in avoiding evils or attempting good. Prudence then is a species of which wisdom is the genus. Wisdom gained by experience, is of inestimable value.
2. In Scripture, human learning; erudition ( that is: learning; knowledge gained by study, or from books and instruction; particularly, learning in literature, as distinct from the sciences, as in history, antiquity and languages. The most useful erudition for republicans is that which exposes the causes of discords.), knowledge of arts and sciences. Moses was learned in the all the wisdom of the Egyptians. Acts. 7.
3. Quickness of intellect; readiness of apprehension; dexterity in execution; as the wisdom of Bezaleel and Aholiab. Ex. 31.
4. Natural instinct and sagacity, ( that is: 1. Quickness or acuteness of scent; applied to animals. Quickness or acuteness of discernment or penetration; readiness of apprehension; the faculty of readily discerning and distinguishing ideas, and of separating truth from falsehood.), Job. 39.
5. In Scripture theology, wisdom is true religion; godliness; piety; the knowledge and fear of God, and sincere and uniform obedience to His commands. This is the wisdom which is from above. Ps.90, Job. 28.
6. Profitable words or doctrine. Ps.37. The wisdom of this world, mere human erudition; or the carnal policy of men, their craft and artifices in promoting their temporal interests; called also fleshly wisdom. 1 Cor.2, 2 Cor. 1
The wisdom of words, artificial or affected eloquence; or learning displayed in teaching. 1 Cor.1. 2. ( Taken from the ?American Dictionary of The English Language,? by Noah Webster 1828 reprint)
Wisdom is having Jesus Christ the living Word of God. The more of the Word of God you have, the more wisdom you will possess, thus, the more of Jesus you will contain.
Wisdom is like salt, having it will preserve you. It will keep you from going in harmful directions and making wrong decisions on matters of importance.
Get possessions ( meaning many), of different kinds of wise principles and habits.
Getting a well rounded education in certain vital subjects, is to provide one with the tools and life skills that will ensure we are able to live a healthy, prosperous and victorious life. This is getting different kinds of wise principles and habits.
The following are just some of the life skills that are vital to possess, they are by no means complete or comprehensive:
Knowing how to read and write. The reason why the early Americans, (the Pilgrims and the Puritans), thought it very important to know how to read was so their children could read the Bible.
It is said by many educators ( that is, those that still will teach children the right way to learn how to read), that the road to writing well begins with reading proficiently. Knowing how to read and write well will also keep us from being mindless, dependant on others and easy to control. Tyrants depend on the people?s ignorance in order to control others.
In 1807, Edward Kendall arrived from Great Britain to investigate what had made America so special as a nation.
Kendall traveled throughout the United States in keeping meticulous journals of what he observed.
In Connecticut, he noted the illiteracy law which in part stated:...?there are still many persons unable to read the English tongue, and thereby incapable of reading the Holy Word of God, or the good laws of this state.?
That state was concerned about illiteracy - but perhaps not for the reasons which cause concern today. It?s concern was that if one could not read, then he would not know the Word of God or the laws of the state. This meant that if the legislature passed a law which contradicted the Word of God, then the people - unable to read and therefore unknowledgeable of the word of God - might not stop a bad law.
The Founding Fathers strove to ensure that the Christian principles which had formed the basis of education prior to the Revolution would continue after it. ( From the book: ?Education and the Founding Fathers,? by David Barton, published by WallBuilders Press.)
Logic: The art of thinking and reasoning justly. Logic is the art of using reason well in our inquiries after the truth, and the communication of it to others.
Logic may be defined, the science or history of the human mind, as it traces the progress of our knowledge from our first conceptions through their different combinations, and the numerous deductions that result from comparing them with one another.
Correct reasoning implies correct thinking and legitimate inferences from premises, which are principles assumed or admitted to be just. Logic then includes the art of thinking, as well as the art of reasoning. The purpose of logic is to direct the intellectual powers in the investigation of truth, and in the communication of it to others. ( 1828 reprint Dictionary)
Knowing how to think in a logical progression. ?In order to understand ideas and communicate with others properly, something more than a solid understanding of the structure of language is necessary. Logic is indispensable to the proper use of language. Thus, it was the colonial view that the study of logic was necessary as soon as the student had mastered the basic tools of grammar.? ( From the book: ?The Education of James Madison, A Model for Today,? by Mary-Elaine Swanson)
Knowing how to reason out and apply the manual of life, the Bible to the moral issues of every day life.
Learning math skills. This will train you to use your mind in solving not only math problems, like balancing your check book, but give you the ability to solve and work through any personal and professional problems.
Learning true and uncensored American and Universal world history. This will enable you to learn both good and bad examples of governments and other cultures and peoples. It will help you to avoid the same personal, public and governmental moral mistakes that others have made throughout history.
James B. Rose deals masterfully with the providential view of history in a chapter of his ?Guide.? Here he cites the following words of Verna Hall from an address she gave in 1971 at the First Pilgrim Seminar, Plymouth, Massachusetts, which parents and teachers should find very thought-provoking:
The young people in our Christian colleges are at the peak of their youthful idealism, and yet, by and large they have never heard of the Hand of God in relation to America, and therefore have no real love for America and her uniquely Christian institutions. If they do not know the Hand of God in our nation?s past, how can they be sure of it in the present, or the future?....Most young Christians want to have a goal toward which they can work with God?s help; they want to have a purpose and a hope. But if they have not been taught the Hand of God in history, they enter the work-a-day world not realizing their importance as Christians in directing the course of human
events. They will not think it important to make decisions predicated upon Biblical principles of government in all fields of endeavor, for they will assume they are Christians in a secular world governed by secular rules and precepts, Somehow, someway in the last one hundred years particularly, America and Christianity have become separated in the mind and heart of the Christian, and he now lives in two worlds, the Christian inner world, and the secular outer world; whereas the Pilgrim and the Puritan lived in one world, the world of God, the creator of heaven and earth, and all that therein is...(From the book: ?The Education of James Madison?)
Men and women need to learn every day skills on how to conduct proper and correct virtuous social and interpersonal relationships.
Other wisdom life skills to have are: homemaking skills.
Knowing basic food preparation and * Knowing the right kinds of healthy foods to eat, and the ones to avoid.
Basic sanitation and * personal hygiene needs to be learned.
How to make cloth from fiber and * how to use that cloth to make clothes and shoes.
Habits are: A disposition or condition of the mind or body acquired by custom or a frequent repetition of the same act. Example: * We learn to do our multiplication tables by repetition and practice.
We speak of good habits and bad habits.
Frequent drinking and taking drugs lead to a habit of indulgence, excess and ruin.
Acquiring wisdom makes for a good habit.
Reading the Bible on a regular and daily basis is a good and wise habit to get into. As well as * reading other good, informative and important literature for educating one self, both Christian and secular like: Christian theology, philosophy, history etc, and secular like: how to build a house, how to fix a vehicle, how to make bread etc.
Some other good wisdom habits are: * regularly going into prayer and talking to Jesus about our cares and concerns.
Pray for wisdom, take pains for it.
Wait at wisdom?s gate. Waiting on and looking with expectation, to and for Jesus the Author of all wisdom. Listening for what He would say to us directly, or in His Word. It is also wise listening to those that you can trust, that God has placed over us for our benefit and growth.
We must take heed to God?s wisdom that builds faith and trust in Jesus lest we put it from us as those do that forget it first, then let it slip out of their minds. Then finally, they forsake the wisdom that they had, and turn out of it?s good ways, and depart from the faith.
Get wisdom by experience, get all that you can, make it a habit.
Wisdom is not just about theological or spiritual matters. It is also about getting a practical and first hand understanding of many skills that will make you wise, knowledgeable and self sufficient. Many men start out as apprentices in the multiple and different trades like: carpentry, electrical, plumbing etc, and get on the job training.
Women can become wise and learn how to balance a check book, make a budget, and learn how to live within it. They can also learn how to run a household.
Many women have chosen to leave the traditional role as housewives and have also become carpenters, electricians and other professions that have traditionally been men?s work, some are trying to juggle both.
There were remarkable women in the 1820s and 1830s who had definite ideas about the education of their own sex and who also saw it as closely related to perpetuating the republic. Outstanding among these women was Emma Willard ( 1787-1870 ) who wrote: ?A nation cannot exist without religion.? She opened her first school in Middlebury, Vermont in 1814. It was a real seat of learning, not like other schools for young ladies which taught them only music, dancing, needlework and deportment. Emma Willard wrote history textbooks which were praised by Daniel Webster and General Lafayette. After moving to New York, she started a young ladies seminary in Waterford in 1819 and another later in Troy which is still in existence as the Emma Willard School.
Mrs. Willard had many reasons for desiring improved education for women. As a deeply patriotic American, convinced of the superiority of the American Republic and it?s principles...she believed that the preservation of the Republic depended on it?s women. For it was women who set the standards of a society...and would, therefore, save this Republic from the fate of previous republics....Women, with strengthened characters and trained intellects, would certainly raise up finer sons and hence better citizens of the Republic....Emma Willard discerned that Christian principles formed the foundation of all true education. ?Moral improvement is the true end of the intellectual,? she said, and when instructing young teachers, she admonished them to ?bring God into all subjects,? that their pupils might begin to see His wonderful government of the universe....(From the book: ?The Education of James Madison.?
It is wise to take effort to get this wisdom (which is another word for skills) and understanding about many things, then to get the wealth of this world.
It is wisdom to choose to be wise and informed about subjects and issues pertaining to this life in
order to live in this life. But it is of far greater importance for our souls sake to have heavenly wisdom, knowledge and understanding of spiritual matters. These will help us to know more about our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and His ways, and to prepare for a more permanent life in the world to come. I am speaking of heaven.
Love wisdom and embrace her as worldly people love their wealth and set their hearts upon it.
A Christians wealth is our life in Christ, it should be very dear and precious to us, more important than anything in this world. And if we can not reach to be masters of wisdom, yet let us be true lovers of it.
So let us hear the end of this matter, get understanding, seek wisdom, ?do not forsake her and she will preserve you.?
By Bill Haymin, copyright 2006.
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